Text & Photos by Patrick “Tupat” Eichstaedt // @TheRealTupat 

As I sit here during the early hours of Christmas writing this month’s fishing report, I reflect on how much fun we have in New Smyrna Beach. With a plethora of exciting activities, fishing is at the top of the list. 

As a young kid growing up in the Bethune Beach area I was blessed with a backyard filled with river life. Now, at 44 years of age, we are still at it stronger than ever. The only difference is now we are passing it down to our children to enjoy. 

I’ve been friends with @CaseyColli for over 40 years. We’ve been fishing the backwaters for the past 30 years and it’s been a wild and crazy ride. On Christmas Eve this year, we took our kids out to enjoy an afternoon of tight lines and it was one for the record books! 

Aiden Collins (@colligrom, pictured above) reeled in a stud 27-inch redfish utilizing live mullet. My son, Ethan Eichstaedt (e_than_nsb_, pictured below) was able to catch his first solid redfish alongside his buddy Aiden, which was a stoke for us all! Bringing home the medal was young lady angler, Ava Collins (pictured bottom), with her largest redfish to date. The fishing couldn’t have been better for the entire month of December. 

With the consistent weather patterns, look for more schools of all species of targeted fish. Utilizing the right bait for the bite will be key! I’ve been finding that the mid-out grind tide has been the best for fishing banks and holes. As for sight-fishing, the lower the tide, the better the opportunity for watching the feed. 

January should prove to be a productive month with plenty of tight lines! Happy holidays to all, and fish on! 

BEST DAYS TO FISH IN JANUARY:

2 – 8, 13 – 15, 20 – 22, 26 – 27 

Until next month… Cast ‘em, Hook ‘em and Catch ‘em!