Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Winds Can Challenge Anglers

March 7, 2008
INSHORE:
Ahhhh.....it must be March here on the Treasure Coast. Windy weather one day....calm waters the next. There has been plenty of fish out there, but some days test your nerve on trying to find them. We had gusty conditions early in the week that turned to calm water by mid-week and blown out by Friday. It's still great to live and fish here on the Indian River!
Most of our catch this week consisted of trout, snook, ladyfish and jacks. It was hard to find areas to fish out of the wind, but everyone caught fish, in spite of it. I had Gary and Kim out earlier in the week and they caught fish in spite of the wind blowing. Peter Gerken was out with me on Thursday and it was one of those rare calm days of spring. We had a great time sight casting to redfish and Peter ended up with a nice 26" red that day. Joe Venarini and Tom Lohr were out today and we found fish in spite of a very gusty day on the water.
The trout bite should pick up as the water clears up and the temperatures begin rising again. We have seen a number of redfish in the shallow flats. Look for that action also to improve with water temperature. We caught some short snook on the flats, but most of the activity has been at night on live bait or jigs. Brennan and Patrick from the Fishing Center have hooked up on a number of tarpon and snook on the jetties at night this week. Give the wind a chance to settle back a little and things should be great out there again next week.
Jacks and ladyfish are again everywhere. Sand perch, some croakers, sheephead and black drum have been around the bridges. Live or dead shrimp are being used on the catwalks. The Surf has held whiting and pompano. Spring is almost here.
Tip of the Week:
March is a month that can challenge most anglers. Blustery days can test both your stamina and will out there. I try to use the wind to any advantage that might provide better fishing opportunities. Whether it's hiding back in the islands or drifting with the wind, you can still find areas to fish. I guess that's one reason I enjoy fishing this area so much. We have a wide variety of options to enjoy the waters here. Enjoy and use it to your advantage. Let's go fishing!
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, Stuart 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.}