Stinky's Bait Shack Fishing Report for December 2017

Our latest trip launched from the new Pilcher Park under the 331 Bridge. The water was calm, the wind light, and the sky clear. It was a perfect day to be on the water. 

We started off fishing the flats around Hogtown for trout using live shrimp. The fish were all around, but they weren’t biting so I rigged everyone up with Berkley Gulp, Natural Shrimp on a 1/4oz jig head. That’s when the action started! We caught over 30 Speckled Trout and 5 were in the slot.  We were off to a great start!

With the weather so nice I decided to change locations and head toward deeper water around a few wrecks. Along the way we spotted a bald eagle near Hewett Bayou and dozens of pelicans feeding. We fished the wreck around Four-Mile Point and added several slot Redfish and Trout to the cooler. 

We were headed back to Pilcher Park and had some time on our hands, so we stopped at 331 Bridge, dropped down some live shrimp on a Carolina rig and pulled in two nice Bull Reds.  We took a few pictures and released them into the bay.  It was perfect way to end the day because they were hungry, and had bags of fresh fish for them to cook on the grill.

As the north wind starts to blow and winter approaches, the temperature begins to drop the Flounder bite will begin to fire up near the harbor and outside the Destin pass. 

Live Bull Minnows on a Carolina Rig are your best bet for a steady bite.  Sheepshead and Redfish will start holding up on bridge pilings.  Mid-Bay and 331 bridges are a couple of hot spots.  Live shrimp will certainly get the job done.  As the water temperature declines over the next month, Speckled Trout will move to the deeper water.  Choctawhatchee River, 331 Bridge, or any of your deeper creeks that dump into the bay will be where you find Trout.  D.O.A. Shrimp or any Gulp on a 1/2-3/4oz jig head will bring you success. 

Captain Dalton Morrison of Stinky’s Fishing Charters is a native Floridian who grew up in Freeport, Florida on the Choctawhatchee Bay. As a teenager, Dalton began entering local fishing tournaments and quickly developed a keen passion for being on the water hunting fish.  Dalton is a licensed and insured Charter Captain and is booking Stinky’s Fishing Charters 7 days a week through Stinkys Bait Shack on 30A. Charters run on a 22ft pathfinder with a 150 Yamaha 4 stroke equipped with a full tower, power pole shallow water anchor, and a Minn-Kota I-Pilot. This boat provides a fast-comfortable ride that is comfortable for everyone. Stinky’s Bait Shack - 850.622.BAIT (2248), 5994 West County Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL.