December 2025 — St. Augustine / Northeast FL: Winter Reds in Tolomato, Sheepshead Returning. December is a early winter month with water in the 56-64°F range — sheepshead returning to structure; pattern shifts to winter. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — December 2025
Primary targets this month: Redfish, Speckled Trout, Sheepshead, Black Drum.
Redfish
Winter reds in the Tolomato River, Salt Run, Matanzas River, the Guana River, the marshes south of St. Augustine, and the Tolomato bird island flats. Look for the warmest water — dark mud bottoms, deeper canals, creek mouths warming on afternoons. Gold spoons, scented soft plastics, live shrimp under a popping cork.
Speckled Trout
Trout gathering in the deep grass flats of the Matanzas, the Tolomato channels, Salt Run, and the back bays of Vilano Beach. Larger fish (gator trout 20″+) hold in deeper potholes. DOA CAL Shads, MirrOlure Lil John, MirrOdine suspending baits, and live shrimp under popping corks. Slow the retrieve in cooler water.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are stacked for the winter/early-spring spawn. Target the St. Augustine Inlet jetty, the Bridge of Lions, the Vilano Bridge, the marina pilings. Fresh fiddler crabs and live shrimp on a #1 or #1/0 octopus hook with minimal weight. Bites are subtle — set on the slightest tap. Vertical jigging tight to structure produces best.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 56-64°F. Sheepshead returning to structure; pattern shifts to winter. St. Augustine Inlet moves significant water — outgoing tide concentrates bait at the jetty and is the prime snook/tarpon window. The Tolomato and Matanzas Rivers are heavily tide-driven; falling water out of the marsh creeks concentrates redfish at the creek mouths.
Check the NOAA marine forecast and tide charts before launching. Wind direction often matters more than wind speed for inshore fishing — clean water beats churned water nine times out of ten.
Tactics & Tackle for This Month
- Slow it down. Cold water means cold fish — work jigs, soft plastics, and live bait with patience. Bites are subtle.
- Fish the warmest water. Dark-bottom flats, deeper canals, and creek mouths warm fastest. Afternoons usually outproduce mornings in winter.
- Light fluorocarbon leader. 15-20 lb plenty for inshore — winter water is clear and fish are line-shy.
December Outlook
Winter patterns establishing — sheepshead, tautog, cold-water specialists take over.
Regulations Reminder
Redfish: 18-27″ slot, one per angler per day (verify FWC zone-specific rules). Seatrout/Speckled Trout: FL: 15-19″ slot, 3 per day (verify zone). TX: 15-25″ slot, 3 per day. LA: 12″ minimum, 15 per day (verify current). Sheepshead: 12″ minimum, 8 per day (FL). Black Drum: 14-24″ slot or 16″ minimum depending on state; 1-5 per day. Always verify current state regulations before each trip — slots, bag limits, and seasons change.
Local Resources
Bait & Tackle: Avid Angler (St. Augustine, 904-797-8500); Strike Zone (Jacksonville — close by); Capt. Mike’s Crab Trap (Vilano); North Florida Tackle (Jacksonville Beach).
Public Boat Ramps: Lighthouse Park (Salt Run access), Vilano Beach Ramp, North Beach Park, Devil’s Elbow Fish Camp (Matanzas), Marineland ramp, Fish Island Boat Ramp.
Charter Fishing: $450–$700 inshore (Tolomato/Matanzas); $700–$1,100 nearshore/inlet; $1,000–$1,800 offshore (sailfish, kings, snapper).
More St. Augustine / Northeast FL Resources
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