Flagler County Inshore Fishing Report — December 2025
December brought cooler water and air temperatures across Flagler County, but inshore fishing stayed steady for anglers who adjusted their tactics. Water temperatures generally settled into the mid-60s to low-70s, and many species shifted to deeper holes, channels, and protected backwaters as cold fronts moved through. On calmer, sunnier days, fish briefly slid shallow to warm up, creating short bursts of feeding activity.
Water & Weather Recap
Cool mornings and mild afternoons dominated most of the month. The most consistent bites came during periods of moving water, especially when warming afternoon sun coincided with an incoming tide. After stronger cold fronts, the bite slowed for a day or two until temperatures stabilized, at which point fish regrouped in predictable winter locations.
What Was Biting
Redfish
Redfish were a reliable target through December. Many anglers found them staging near oyster bars, creek bends, and deeper edges. Smaller slot fish held tight to structure, while schools of overslot fish gathered in deeper pockets. Live shrimp and slow-rolled soft plastics worked especially well when presented close to the bottom.
Spotted Seatrout
Trout fishing was consistent, particularly around deeper channels, creek mouths, and troughs. Anglers who slowed presentations — soft plastics on light jig heads or subtle twitch baits — picked up quality fish. The best windows often came during the warmest part of the day.
Snook
Snook activity tapered with cooler water but remained possible around docks, pilings, and deeper cuts. The more patient anglers found success by working lures slowly and targeting midday warmups. Most fish were tucked into structure where the water held a degree or two more warmth.
Sheepshead & Black Drum
December was productive for sheepshead around rocks, bridge pilings, and dock posts. Fiddler crabs and shrimp produced steady action. Black drum also showed up around oyster bars and deeper structure, taking cut bait and shrimp fished close to the bottom.
Flounder
Flounder held along sandy drop-offs and near creek mouths. Anglers dragging soft plastics or small live baits across the bottom picked off fish, particularly on outgoing tides as bait flushed out of the backwaters.
Takeaways from December
Fishing rewarded anglers who slowed down, fished deeper water, and stayed mindful of tides and post-front recovery periods. Structure, current edges, and warmer pockets of water held the most consistent action.
Looking Ahead: January Expectations
January typically continues the winter pattern — cooler water, clearer conditions, and fish concentrating around deeper structure. Expect:
- Redfish schooling tighter in creeks and flats on calmer days
- Trout settling deeper and responding best to slow presentations
- Sheepshead activity increasing around hard structure
- Occasional snook opportunities during warmer weather windows
Anglers who plan trips around warming trends, fish slowly, and focus on areas with current and structure should see steady success moving into the new year.