Florida Fishing December Forecasts

FLORIDA FISHING FORECASTS: DECEMBER

The following is the Great Florida Fishing's curated list of local fishing forecasts around Florida. We share links and information from authoritative sources as well as "locals" to give you the best resource to plan your next fishing excursion. Check back before your next trip for the current fishing forecasts to the area.

December Saltwater Forecast

December is a month filled with outstanding fishing opportunities. It is impacted by cooler weather and windy conditions caused by passing cold fronts. Changes in water temperatures affect both fish behavior and angling tactics. As the cold weather settles in on America many anglers can only dream of a location where stretching line is a year-round endeavor.

Fishing has been awesome – right on schedule this time of year! Both redfish and sea trout are currently catch and release and they will remain in shallow water if the water temperatures stay in the seventies. Fish in protected areas and sunny spots on cooler days and look for fish to be holding in deeper pockets until the sun gets overhead. The mullet run is over, so it is important to remember saltwater gamefish will be transitioning their feeding habits from finfish to shrimp and crabs, so downsize your lure and bait size and lure selection accordingly.

Mahi fishing has also been picking up. This is the time of year they migrate south. It’s not as good as the spring run but can definitely pay off! Your trip could yield a few cobias too, so keep a jig handy.

Bottom fishing has really picked up. Please double check the rules. Seasons change on certain species and circle hooks are required along with descending devices and de-hooking tools. Double check what you have and be sure to be legal.

This is a good month for catch and release snook action around lighted docks in the ICW. Also, there is good action in the coastal gulf with false albacore, Spanish mackerel and tripletail, depending on conditions.

Follow the link below for detailed regional forecasts!

December Freshwater Forecast

From the north to the central regions of the state, the spawn is on! November through March is the peak season of the year and produces the vast majority of trophy-sized bass over 10 lbs and it is also our peak season overall for bass fishing throughout most of Florida.

The fishing is so good during this time of year mainly because this is the time that the bass are in their pre-spawn and spawning stages which produce some of the best catches and some of the biggest bass during trips.

Largemouth bass are feeding heavy getting fat and happy for the upcoming spawn. With the cooler water temperatures, the larger female bass will begin moving out of the main river into their shallow spawning areas. Plus, the high-water conditions due to the last two big storms are making normal shallow areas more accessible to boats and the bass.

The Crappie started to heat up as well in the last part of November. The bigger females will be heading shallow where the males are prepping for their annual spawn.