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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.
Who does!Quote:
Originally Posted by sknhgy
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!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pier#r
So, If you were me you would go in December?
Quote:
Originally Posted by sknhgy
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...
http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=4293&stc=1
Quote:
Originally Posted by sknhgy
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:o
I love pier fishing about as much as anything I can do, as long as I feel like I'm going to catch some fish. I have caught good messes of whiting in December but, I'm going to be on a deer stand. You can take that for what it's worth.
I'm going to try and bump my vacation time up a bit. I don't really mind the cold. As long as it warms up to about 50 - 60 during the day I will be fine.
If I do go in December - How do I catch these Whiting? Will I be able to catch shrimp with my cast net? Anything else I can target?
Last year I took my big catfishing rig down there. The locals made fun of my "broomstick". I usually fish for catfish around St. Louis. We got some big ones here.
I will be around Pascagoula, the Singing River area. I go there because it is away from the tourist area further west.
The way I catch whiting is to Carolina rig a small hook and use a piece of dead shrimp, peeled, and cast in the deeper valleys right at the breaking waves. If they're there. You will catch them. They're looking for crustacean's being turned up by the waves. Good luck.
You can catch whiting in skinny water from piers on the Gulf using a small piece of shrimp or a piece of shrimp-flavored "FishBites". I use a small hook on a carolina rig. Shrimp may have moved away from the shore in December. I'm not sure if you can successfully cast-net for them then, or not.Quote:
Originally Posted by sknhgy
Whiting are nibblers. You'll feel a succession of taps. Set the hook if it's a j-hook; start reeling if it's a circle hook. No hook set? Leave it there and the fish will find it as long as there's bait still on the hook. The mistake that most fishermen make in fishing for whiting is that they use too big of a hook and/or too big of a bait. It's like fishing for bluegills instead of catfish. You don't use a whole nightcrawler when fishing for bluegills. If you do, they'll grab the end of the nightcrawler and pull it off your hook. Use a piece small enough for them to take in their mouths and you'll catch them. Whiting WILL also hit cut bait - again, small pieces. As a kid, I'd catch one small fish, then use that one fish for cut bait to catch a couple of dozen more whiting! I use "fresh dead" shrimp from the bait shop now.
As always, it's best to go through the "REPORTS" archives here to see what bites in December. There are also more in-depth rigging tips. The "SEARCH" bar is your friend!
Good luck and good weather!
Do you have a boat or are you shore based? The bridge/pier in Biloxi might be a good spot for ground mullet and big croakers if you are shore bound.
If you have a boat, then spec fishing the rivers might still be good.
Are there still shrimp and finger mullet around in mid November to catch in a cast net?
What about ghost shrimp?
Thanks for the info. I am shore bound, no boat. I talked to my boss today to see if he can move my vacation up.
Last year in October I caught a shark and a redfish off the end of the pier. Will those kind of fish be totally gone or just fewer and further between?
Sharks will be gone by December. Redfish should still be around.
Somewhat depends upon the weather patterns. Two years ago on the 29th of November I caught an ice chest full of large whiting (16 to 18 inches) and the pier had frost on it at daylight. Finally warmed to 50 degrees by 1pm but a cold wind. Warmer the trend the better for December fishing.
Would it better if I went to Dauphine Island in AL? Would fishing be better there in early/mid December than it would be along the Mississippi Coast?
Is that a good place to tent camp?
I will be restricted to fishing from shore.
Just bumping this in case anyone has any other thoughts. Looks like I'll be coming down around the 10th of December and staying for about 5 days. I've been looking into the state parks in Alabama. One has a real long pier.
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/state-parks-gulf-shores-alabama-26590.html
I have never fished MS, so I cant advise you one way or the other. But we would generally prefer you come spend your money in AL!Quote:
Originally Posted by sknhgy
Is it busy/congested around Gulf State Park or Meaher State Park? Which of those would be better? I want to spend a quiet week on the beach and hopefully catch some fish. Remember, I'll be there in early December. Thanks.Quote:
Originally Posted by CarlF
December is not crowded or congested at all.
Other than snowbirds all going to the AYCE specials at 5:00pm sharp.
It probably the quietest month other than January. I'd stay down on the Gulf. If you are planning at staying in the campground, better make reservations now, if they have any spots left at this late date. Snowbirds fill it up every year.