Thread: Is December a good time to fish?

I only fished the gulf once. That was last year, in late October, around Pascagoula, MS. This year I can get off around the second week of December. Is gulf fishing any good then or is it too cold? I'm not picky about what I catch but I do want to catch fish. I fish off the piers. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying to plan a trip. Thanks in advance.

Generally it is much slower than October, but many of the same species are available.
Check out the GSPPier options @ http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...r-pier-r-9236/

Welcome to the forum!

Anytime that you are able to go fishing is a good time .

I can get off work December 11-15. Last year I bummed around on the beach late in October and had a wonderful time. I mostly caught croakers but there were a few trout, flounder, redfish, shark, and some small fish that looked like sunfish. I love being on the ocean.
My question is - Will the fishing be good enough to keep me occupied? Do people fish off the piers down there in December? Do you catch stuff?
I don't care what I catch. I just want to be able to catch something. I got a small cast net and I must have thrown that thing 100 times last year for shrimp. That was great.
Will I be able to catch fish or should I reschedule my time off?
It's mesmerizing being down there. I can spend all day out on a pier or on the beach. I would just be disappointed if I didn't catch something.

Originally Posted by sknhgy

I just don't want to get skunked. That would be a disappointment.

Who does!
But it happens to everyone, that's why it's called "fishing" and not "catching" ;-) lol

You're on the right track to be successful though.
Research, ask questions, prepare, and adjust while you are fishing.
Just keep it simple, try not to 'over think' it all as that often gets us into trouble and takes the fun out of it!

Originally Posted by Pier#r

Who does!
But it happens to everyone, that's why it's called "fishing" and not "catching" ;-) lol

You're on the right track to be successful though.
Research, ask questions, prepare, and adjust while you are fishing.
Just keep it simple, try not to 'over think' it all as that often gets us into trouble and takes the fun out of it!

So, If you were me you would go in December?

Originally Posted by sknhgy

So, If you were me you would go in December?

My perception is that October is better than November, which is better than December. December can be doggone cold, finger-numbing cold. On the other hand, you pretty much have the beach to yourself. If you need to catch fish, you can usually catch whiting and croakers in Nov. If it was me, I'd try to schedule for early or mid-November, if October's not possible. You can check archived reports here to see what was happening in previous Decembers. Unless it's a particularly warm December, I'm usually getting my gear in shape for mid-late March. I don't like the cold.

December, January, February, June, October, May: I'll be there when I can ;-)
But I have NEVER caught fish at the house!

One of THE best whiting days I ever experienced was on the pier in late December that featured frost ON the pier at sunup.
It was COLD but the fishing (catching) sure warmed our souls...

Originally Posted by sknhgy

So, If you were me you would go in December?

What are your options? If December is the only time you can get off and the GS area is your preferred vacation destination, then yes, I would go if I were you. If, on the other hand, you could reschedule for a spring or fall trip to the same area, then your catch rates would be statistically higher. Or, can you keep your dates and schedule a trip somewhere else - southern Florida, lower Laguna Madre / S. Padre Island?

The answer to your question relies heavily on what your travel and destination options are. In December, the fall migrators and pelagics are mostly gone and the spring spawners have not yet arrived. That leaves you fishing for stragglers and/or perennial species.

That you emphasize catching over "just being there", I would try to find a better date or a different location. Tough question, and whatever you end up doing, I hope it works out well for you.

Don't think so. I'll be down on the 10th for a week and don't plan on leaving any fish in the gulf.....sorry