Winter is here but the weather has not really transitioned all that much. A weak cold front moved through very quickly this week. We had 1 night of cool weather followed by a few nice days and now humid windy conditions are here for a few days. The water temp has steadied at 79.7 outside the reef and a few degrees cooler inside.

Offshore was not the best fishing this past week but should be improving as the last front moves off. There was a nice current and color change in 200 feet that stretched along most of the way from Pelican Shoal to the main Ship Channel. I found a few big Dolphin cruising the debris that was trapped in the change. Flying fish scattered every 100 yds I trolled but the fish were cruising west and not all that hungry. A couple of Bulls in the 40 pound range swam within 10 feet of my trolled Ballyhoo and turned slightly but showed no more interest. There have not been that many Tunas or Bonito out there and Sailfish have been small. There were some big Kingfish along with the other Mackerels short striking my baits.

On the reef the bottom fishing was slow and the Yellowtailing was OK. There are plenty of keeper size fish willing to venture into the chumslick and fall for a hooked bait. Keep the chum flowing and when they start biting keep two lines out there as they can disappear as fast as they show up. The bottom was slow and I had charters hook a few Nassau and small Cobias but nothing to write home about. A good blast of cold air should turn the Grouper and Muttons on and bring in a good wave of Cobia. Kingfish and Cero Mackerel along with Porgies and Margates were about all I found on the bottom. Live Pilchards and strips of Jacks worked the best.

Inshore looks to be a good option this week with strong winds pushing through. The just over the limit Mutton Snapper are great eating and working the edges of patch reefs will get you a few. There will be plenty of action with small Grouper, Grunts, Yellowtail, Sharks, Cobia, Cudas and Mackerel.

Tight Lines,