Here’s the low-down on what anglers around Matlacha, Florida have been seeing — and what you might expect this week as we roll into December. According to recent data, fish activity is forecast to shift from “high” (late November) down to “average” by the first few days of December. Tides4Fishing That said: winter conditions often bring clearer water and cooler temperatures — which can concentrate fish and make hiding spots like oyster bars, mangroves, and flats more productive. Port Sanibel Marina+2Guidesly+2 ? What’s Biting (and What to Target) Redfish (Red Drum): Redfish remain reliable inshore targets. Look for them along mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, grass flats, and flats around passes — especially near tidal movement. Soft plastics, shrimp, or cut bait work well. Port Sanibel Marina+2onWater+2 Spotted Seatrout (Trout): Trout continue to show up on grass flats and shallow flats. With cooler water and clearer conditions, they tend to hold in deeper holes, potholes, and near dropoffs — shrimp under popping corks or slow jigs are a good bet. KingFisher Charters+2onWater+2 Sheepshead & Structure Fish: As winter settles in, sheepshead — and other structure-oriented species like mangrove snapper — start to show up near docks, mangrove roots, oyster bars, bridge or pier pilings, and other hard structure. Small hooks, fiddler crabs or shrimp, and light tackle can pay off. KingFisher Charters+2CyberAngler+2 Snook: Snook may be more sluggish in cooler water, but they shouldn’t be ignored. Focus on deeper holes, canals, or mangrove-lined pockets — particularly where there's some structure or warmer-water outflows. Early-afternoon when the sun warms water may help trigger bites. KingFisher Charters+2onWater+2 ? Where to Fish — Good Spots This Week Mangrove shorelines & flats — excellent for redfish cruising and trout feeding. Oyster bars, creeks, shallow flats, and potholes — ideal for seatrout, sheepshead, snapper, and structure fish. Bridge/pier/dock/mangrove-root structure — prime for sheepshead, snapper, and maybe even a snook if you get lucky. Inlets, passes, channels near stronger tidal flows — good for redfish and occasionally larger trout or snook looking for moving bait. ? Tackle & Strategy Tips Bait & Lures: Live or fresh shrimp — especially under popping corks — and small soft plastics or cut bait for reds/trout; fiddler crabs or shrimp on small hooks for sheepshead; soft plastics or live bait around mangroves for snook. Tides & Timing: Watch tidal movement — rising tides that push bait into flats and mangroves often trigger redfish and trout bites. If you can, plan around mid-morning or early afternoon when tide + light combine for best results. Water Clarity & Light Conditions: Cooler winter water often means clarity — good for sight-fishing in flats for reds and tailers, but be careful of overly light gear spooking wary fish. ? What I’d Do If I Hit Matlacha This Week If I were getting on the water in Matlacha this week, I’d: Head to shallow flats or mangrove flats on an incoming tide with a light spinning rod, shrimp under a popping cork — targeting trout early. Work mangrove edges and oyster bars with soft plastics for redfish in the mid-morning as the tide pushes in. Check dock pilings, oyster beds, and mangrove roots for sheepshead or snapper through the midday, using fiddler crabs or shrimp on light hooks. If the day warms, scout deeper holes, canal mouths, or mangrove channels for a snook or two — especially around structure or warm spots.