December meant the return of sheepshead, as these fish stacked up around docks, rock piles, and piers. Fiddler crabs and live shrimp were must-have baits. Black drum and speckled trout were also feeding well in residential canals and deeper flats, while pompano became a top target in the passes and on sandy-bottomed areas. Offshore, hogfish and snapper fishing was at its best, with shrimp-tipped jigs producing plenty of action. Gag grouper season closed at the end of the mont