The winter machine starts: fronts, bait showers on the edge, and the sailfish counts that made this town famous. Bring the family; the fish already brought theirs.
December opens the show Islamorada is famous for. Every front stacks more sailfish on the edge, and the fleet's kite program swings into its winter rhythm: live baits in the air, eyes on the riggers, and that heart-stop moment when a ball of bait erupts.
Wahoo from the fall run still patrol the moons, kings blitz the mid-depths, and the wrecks hold December amberjack for the strong of back. Cold up north, seventy-two and bent rods here.
Christmas week and New Year's book out earliest of the whole year. If the family is coming south, lock the boat before the plane tickets.
Yes, it opens strong and builds toward the January-February peak with every front.
Weeks ahead, more for Christmas through New Year's. Those dates go first every year.
December moons still produce, a bonus on days the sail bite goes quiet.