The following is fishing information and events from Ben Beckner, Fishing Department Associate, Bass Pro Shops.

Bass Pro Shops World Fishing Forecast For Dec. 15 and later:

OFFSHORE

WIND, WIND, WIND!

If the wind ever quits blowing, the fish should be hungry.

I haven't gotten many offshore reports over the last couple of weeks. The reports I have gotten have come from south Florida. There seems to be plenty of Sailfish out of Stuart and Palm Beach. However, most of the boats going out down there are larger Sportfish.

It is beginning to look like by this weekend, the wind will be out of the southeast, 3 to 4 foot seas, and the fish should be biting. There should still be Kingfish on the reefs out of Daytona, Canaveral, and Ft.Pierce.

If you would like some real action, try putting out some live baits on balloons. Kings love to skyrocket on these baits. Always expect other species of fish to visit your spread. Sailfish, Dolphin, Wahoo, and Blackfi! n Tuna often come charging in for a meal of live baits.

Before the wind picked up, there were some Cobia cruising just offshore. Look for the Manta Rays and you will usually find some Cobia.

INSHORE

For the anglers finding some sheltered water over on the east coast, there are lots of slot size Red fish, and quite a few Trout.

Remember, the Trout are out of season. Topwater lures will usually a good bet early, switching to flukes as the morning moves on. If the winds lay down, look for plenty of reds and Trout on the flats on both sides of the Mosquito Lagoon.

A lot of anglers are now using popping corks with live Shrimp, Gulp baits, or flukes suspended under the float.

FRESHWATER

The larger chains of lakes are giving up some good afternoon Bass.

The Harris, Bulter, and Conway chains are a fairly good bet later in the day. Fish heavy cover such as lillypads with weedless rigged frogs, or flukes.

Also, have a rod rigged with a white spinner bait. Make several cast into a spots that looks fishy. If you don't get a reaction strike, switch to another bait, such as a spinner, for a few additional cast.

I usually carry five rods rigged with different baits. I may make as many as 10 to 12 cast into a spot of good looking cover with 5 different baits before moving on.

The best bet right now for some exciting action would be Crappie.

Most are holding in deeper water, as deep as 20 to 25 feet. One old time speck fisherman advised using a 3/8 ounce Road Runner jig with 2 minnows on the hook. Drift slowly across the lake, while working the jigs deep.

As the water cools down, the specks will move to shallow water.

Send your reports or stories to benbeckner_fish247.

Send me your fishing stories to BBMONY@AOL.COM.

Until next week, remember: "We all we downstream."

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Upcoming Events:

Upcoming Events at Bass Pro Shops - Outdoor World

November 24, 2006 - December 24, 2006

Santa Claus -- Welcome in the Holidays with Extreme Savings. Store holiday sales will continue thru December. Children can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus beginning on Friday Nov. 24 until Christmas Eve. Pictures with Santa are available for a nominal fee. Santa will be featured in his beautiful sleigh with Rudolf leading his herd of deer.

Store hours during Holiday season:
Monday - Thursday 3 - 8pm
Friday and Saturday 11am - 8pm
Sunday, 11am - 6pm
Dec.24th 11am - 3pm

December 15, 2006 - December 24, 2006
Gift Wrapping / Boy Scouts
The Boy Scouts Of America have teamed up with our store to help you with your Holiday wrapping. All donations go to the various Scouting organizations in the Orlando area. There will be a minimum charge per item for wrapping and or boxes for gifts not purchased at Bass Pro Shops Orlando. Help support the Scouts and get all your presents wrapped today. Contact customer service for specific times & dates. Happy Holidays. Scheduled wrapping times are:

Sat Dec 9 10am - 9pm

Sun Dec 10 11am - 7pm

Sat. Dec 16 10am - 9pm

Sun. Dec 17 11am - 7pm

Tue Dec 19 11am - 9pm

Wed Dec 20 11am - 9pm

Thu. Dec 21 11am - 9pm

Fri. Dec 22 9am - 9pm

Sat. Dec 23 9am - 9pm

Sunday Dec 24 9am - 5pm

All gift wrapping times are subject to change with additions or deletions.