January 10, 2008
INSHORE:
The Treasure Coast was rewarded this week with fantastic weather for fishing! Light winds and warm sunny days beckoned anglers to venture out on the water. It looked like summertime out there. Hope you enjoyed the nice days and had a chance to get out fishing. Fishing was great over the weekend and the first part of the week. Later, the fish were out there, but the bite was a little slower.
Trout was the main catch most of the week. Fishing the flats in two to four feet of water will give you the best opportunity of boating some spotted sea trout. Live shrimp on popping corks or soft plastics like DOA CAL jerk baits can help get you hooked up. From south around the power plant to north towards Round Island, you can find some trout hanging out feeding on the many schools of glass minnows. Don and Dave managed a few trout this week among the many jacks and ladyfish that are cruising around for a quick snack.
Redfish were hitting earlier in the week on soft baits along the edges of the flats. Darker colors of jerk baits seemed to work best for them. Most are slot size and full of fight. Brennan from the Fishing Center reported catching four nice reds up to 30" while fishing south of Fort Pierce on the flats.
Not a lot of reports of snook fishing lately, but I did managed some shorts around some of the docks this week. Some big boys are also hanging around so move up slowly when approaching docks to fish. You can find some fish hanging along the front sides of the docks. Soft baits also worked for the snook this week. The weather has provided great fishing along both sides of the river and almost felt like summer out there.
Ladyfish, jacks and bluefish have been all over the river as usual. Some nice size ladyfish and bluefish can give a good fight on light tackle. Look along the edges of the flats in 3 - 5 feet of water for some exciting action. Bridges have been holding croakers, black drum and sheephead this week. Live or dead shrimp are the bait of choice along the catwalks and docks. There are still Spanish mackerel, jacks and bluefish around the inlet and jetties. There are plenty of fish out there, even if not what you would like to target. Look for the action to continue if the mild weather continues.
Surf:
Whiting has been the fish to catch lately. Live or dead shrimp can get you in on the action. Some pompano and bluefish are also out there. Take a silver spoon out early in the mornings and you will usually find something out there hungry for something shiny.
Tip of the Week:
Watch for the birds and bait. There are plenty of glass minnows in the river now and fish love feeding on them. Keep an eye open and fish the bait schools. Many species follow the bait and you can find some great fishing around the schools. Birds can give you a clue on where to find the bait. If there isn't any action around where you are fishing.....move on to another area.
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!Good Fishing and Be Safe,
INSHORE:
The Treasure Coast was rewarded this week with fantastic weather for fishing! Light winds and warm sunny days beckoned anglers to venture out on the water. It looked like summertime out there. Hope you enjoyed the nice days and had a chance to get out fishing. Fishing was great over the weekend and the first part of the week. Later, the fish were out there, but the bite was a little slower.
Trout was the main catch most of the week. Fishing the flats in two to four feet of water will give you the best opportunity of boating some spotted sea trout. Live shrimp on popping corks or soft plastics like DOA CAL jerk baits can help get you hooked up. From south around the power plant to north towards Round Island, you can find some trout hanging out feeding on the many schools of glass minnows. Don and Dave managed a few trout this week among the many jacks and ladyfish that are cruising around for a quick snack.
Redfish were hitting earlier in the week on soft baits along the edges of the flats. Darker colors of jerk baits seemed to work best for them. Most are slot size and full of fight. Brennan from the Fishing Center reported catching four nice reds up to 30" while fishing south of Fort Pierce on the flats.
Not a lot of reports of snook fishing lately, but I did managed some shorts around some of the docks this week. Some big boys are also hanging around so move up slowly when approaching docks to fish. You can find some fish hanging along the front sides of the docks. Soft baits also worked for the snook this week. The weather has provided great fishing along both sides of the river and almost felt like summer out there.
Ladyfish, jacks and bluefish have been all over the river as usual. Some nice size ladyfish and bluefish can give a good fight on light tackle. Look along the edges of the flats in 3 - 5 feet of water for some exciting action. Bridges have been holding croakers, black drum and sheephead this week. Live or dead shrimp are the bait of choice along the catwalks and docks. There are still Spanish mackerel, jacks and bluefish around the inlet and jetties. There are plenty of fish out there, even if not what you would like to target. Look for the action to continue if the mild weather continues.
Surf:
Whiting has been the fish to catch lately. Live or dead shrimp can get you in on the action. Some pompano and bluefish are also out there. Take a silver spoon out early in the mornings and you will usually find something out there hungry for something shiny.
Tip of the Week:
Watch for the birds and bait. There are plenty of glass minnows in the river now and fish love feeding on them. Keep an eye open and fish the bait schools. Many species follow the bait and you can find some great fishing around the schools. Birds can give you a clue on where to find the bait. If there isn't any action around where you are fishing.....move on to another area.
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner
772-284-3852
(Captain Charlie Conner has been fishing the Indian River Lagoon for over twenty-five years. Specializing in light tackle fishing in Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, Jensen Beach and Port St Lucie, Florida. His weekly South Indian River Lagoon Fishing Report gives you the latest inshore fishing information for the Treasure Coast area on the Indian River Lagoon.}
