December begins Sarasota’s winter fishing transition. Water temperatures have dropped into the mid-60s°F and the pattern that will define January and February is establishing. Sheepshead are congregating on structure, seatrout are moving to the deepest grass pockets, and snook are transitioning from the open water of the fall pattern to the thermal security of deep bridge pilings and dock structure.
Inshore Fishing — December
Sheepshead — Season Beginning
The December sheepshead bite is the beginning of Sarasota’s best winter fishing. Fish are moving onto bridge pilings, jetty rocks, and dock structure throughout the bay as water cools. The Ringling Causeway, Big Pass jetty, and the dock-lined channels of Bird Key and St. Armands are the most reliable December sheepshead locations. Fresh fiddler crabs on a light jig fished tight to the barnacles produce consistent fish. December sheepshead aren’t quite as concentrated as their January–February peak but the fishing is excellent and the crowds are minimal.
Seatrout — Transitioning to Winter Pattern
Spotted seatrout are moving to their winter holding areas in December — the deeper grass pockets (6–9 feet) of Sarasota Bay’s eastern basin and the channel-adjacent grass of Roberts Bay. MirrOlures worked with a slow sink-and-twitch through the deeper grass produce the best December trout. The bite window is extending back toward all-day as water temperatures cool — December is the first month since spring when midday fishing can be productive.
Pompano — Late Season Stragglers
Late-season pompano are still present in the Sarasota surf through early December before water temperatures push them south. The surf at Siesta Key and Venice Beach can produce late pompano on sand crabs and shrimp through mid-December in mild years. These are the last of the fall migration — by Christmas the pompano run is over until March.
Looking Ahead to January
Check back every Thursday for the updated Sarasota fishing report. See our Sarasota Fishing Guide for full year-round species and location coverage.
Sheepshead Return as Water Cools
December in Sarasota marks the start of the great sheepshead run. As water temperatures drop into the 60s, sheepshead are stacking on the inshore structure throughout the bay system. The bridges across the Intracoastal, the Tony Saprito Pier, the dock pilings of the back canals, and the rock structures around the passes are all loaded with fish staging for their February-March offshore spawn. Fiddler crabs on a 1/0 jighead is the gold standard rig. Live shrimp also works but smaller fish grab them faster. Set the hook the moment you feel any pressure — sheepshead suck baits in rather than biting, so the bite is subtle.
Winter Trout in Deep Holes
Speckled trout fishing shifts entirely to the winter pattern. Fish are stacked in the deeper holes of creeks, around the deeper grass flats, and in warmer pocket waters during the warmest part of sunny afternoons. Slow-rolled soft plastics on a 1/4 oz jighead near the bottom is the textbook approach. Live shrimp under a popping cork in the shallower flats during peak afternoon warmth. Gator trout over 22 inches show up more in winter than any other season — the trophy chase is on.
Redfish in Deep Backwaters
Redfish are schooled tight in the warmest, deepest backwaters available — the back lakes of Roberts Bay, the deeper bayou pockets, and dark mud flats that absorb afternoon sun. Sight-casting on calm sunny afternoons is the technique. Gold spoons, weedless soft plastics, or live shrimp on a popping cork all produce. Avoid the day of a cold front — give the water 48 hours to recover before expecting an aggressive bite.
Snook in Winter Pattern
Snook are in winter mode — schooled in the deepest, warmest water available. The deeper canals off the Intracoastal, warm-water effluent areas, and the back of Roberts Bay hold fish. Live shrimp on a slip-cork or small pilchards fished slow. Most December snook catches are catch-and-release territory in cold water.
Local Hotspots, Conditions, Regs
Ringling Bridge for sheepshead through the winter. Tony Saprito Pier for daytime convicts. Roberts Bay back lakes for tailing reds on warm afternoons. New Pass on warming-tide afternoons for trout. The deep canals of Bird Key for snook concentrations. Water temps 62–68°F. Florida saltwater license required. Sheepshead 12-inch min, 8-fish bag. Trout slot 15–19 inches, 5-fish bag. Reds slot 18–27 inches, 1-fish bag. Top ramps: Centennial Park, Ken Thompson Park, Turtle Beach. Tight lines.