Christmas fishing in Fort Meyers/Sanibel area

[beach5]

I am bringing the family down right after Christmas for a week and a half. What can I expect fishing from the beaches, piers and the creeks around Christmas? I have caught sheepshead from the creeks and piers in February, will they be "in" yet at the end of December? Anything in the surf at that time of the year? I have caught Spanish at the end of Nov. begining of Dec. , will they still be around. Are there redfish, snook or pompano around then? Thanks for any advice!

[jvanpelt]

December is a pretty good month for inshore. The sheepshead will definitely be here. I'm seeing them already and the redfish will be on the flats.

[fieroman]

yes the sheepies are here. the last two times i went out i caught some really nice ones 17"+. they have been a little picky though and only wanted crabs. most of the bait shops are carrying fiddlers now just for the sheepies.

[Idahojoe]

Are the sheepies eating whole crab or pieces. How do you rig the crab and what size/type hooks. I hear they are great eating. I found a place to catch my own crabs for bait and a good looking place for the sheepshead.

[fieroman]

when i go for the sheepies i use a weight and swivel with a 2' 30 lb flurocarbon leader. the hooks i use are a #2 circle or a #1 j hook. the sheepies like the whole crab. but i have never tried a blue crab for them.

[Idahojoe]

Where is a good place for sheepies close to Ft Myers ?

[Shore Catch Fishing]

Any bridge, piling, or seawall with barnacles.

[fieroman]

sanibel island you have ding darling national wildlife refuge. there are a bunch of culverts that are filled with sheepies this time of year. basically any where you have pilings with barnacles and oysters will have sheepies around. in ding they seem to be really thick and not picky when it comes to eating

[beach5]

Thanks for the replies! Looking forward to our trip. Hope it gets COLD here in Ohio before we leave....always makes the trip nicer, knowing it is freezing at home!

What is on the beaches around Christmas? We end up spending most of our days there and I can't sit to long in a chair.