I think Florida is having a real winter this year. Past Christmas’s we would be swimming in the pool, wearing shorts and t shirts. Don’t think that will be the case this year. There is a great sheepshead bite going on now in our rivers and nearshore rocks. The Homosassa River holds the state record for the largest sheepshead that was over 15 pounds that was caught just west of Hells Gates. I had a client years back catch one at a rock off Pine Island that was 13 pounds. The fight was like a grouper in open water. It was so clear that winter day that we could watch the fish fight in the 10 foot depths. One thing that has not changed since then is the way to catch them. Nearshore rocks out to 18 feet will hold sheepshead till around March. Full moons are better and incoming tides make a better bite. If the water is clear you can see them on the structure and if its dirty high profile structure is better, They bite fresh or live shrimp best and when the grass porgy’s move in it’s time to move out! I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and after opening presents, high incoming tide will be mid morning.

William Toney
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