BlueWater Outriggers Fishing Report 12-19-2025

Here we are folks, it’s less than one week to Santa’s big day, and we are past the cutoff for mail carriers to get your packages delivered in time for Christmas.  The Bluewater Outriggers was quite busy yesterday with holiday shoppers and people blowing up the phone lines trying to get our shipping department to rush their packages to the post office.  I personally love the hustle and bustle around the workplace as it keeps things exciting and you can feel the electricity in the air.  Speaking of cutoffs, if you’re a bit like me and tend to procrastinate, do keep Bluewater Outriggers in mind for any last-minute gift opportunities.  I’m not just saying this to score brownie points with the author of my paychecks, Bluewater truly is my favorite store, and let me tell you, we have everything you could possibly imagine.  From winter apparel and jewelry to Yeti cups and our new Z-Man and JYG lines, we will have something good for any person on any budget.   

Now let’s talk a bit about fishing.  I’m happy to report that the red tide numbers over the last two weeks have started to dwindle.  I’ve heard rumors there have been some trout caught in the bay, but I’m hesitant to jump on board that train as I have not substantiated them myself.  To be quite honest, I have done very little fishing this last week.  I’ve had little free time with all the last-minute shopping and social obligations that come with this time of year.  I did make it under the Tapper Bridge during peak feeding time, and I learned two things. One, there weren’t any fish biting. Two, when it’s a week before Christmas, you need to wear waders.  That water is cold, folks!  Once I hit waist deep, I realized this was a mistake. I gave it my best shot for all of about 15 minutes until my knees felt like they were being stabbed by a thousand needles and my legs started slowing down.  Aside from not feeling my lower extremities, I felt no strikes.  The good trout fishing is going to be up the creeks right now.  I talked to fellow employee Tom Gannaway, and he has had some absolute banner days fishing up the creeks.  You can see one of his nice specs (above left).  Even our local guides that come in to buy live shrimp are running the intracoastal and its tributaries to put their clients on good fish, and that is par for the course this time of year. 

This last week saw only a few days that were navigable for offshore anglers, but the ones that made it out had very good luck.  That has been the story for the last few weeks.  The offshore fishing has been excellent with nice hauls of red grouper, vermillion, and red snapper.  Chip Graddy came into Bluewater last Sunday and told me he was going to head out on a solo trip.  It wasn’t but a few hours later he sent me a picture of two Gags (one pushing 33”) he caught on a double hookup, while trolling of all things!  The gags, successfully released, can be seen (above right).  Congratulations Chip on an impressive catch!

It’s hard to believe that Christmas will have come and gone by the time I write the next fishing report.  My little boy’s wooden train set arrived in the nick of time, so I can rest easy knowing he’s taken care of for the big day.  I sincerely wish you and your families the merriest of Christmases and peace within your hearts.    Until next time, I hope to see you out there. 

-Jeremiah Beasley