November 22, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving!
Inshore:
Fantastic weekend weather found many anglers hitting the water to enjoy both the sun and fishing. Monday brought some rainy and windier days to the Treasure Coast. It's still great to live and fish in Florida! Looks like some nice weather for the holiday weekend ahead of us. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!
We found ourselves in some great weather this week. Sunday I had Vincent Serio and David Brasher on the boat for the Teen Anglers Tournament. They both caught a good number of fish, but David ended up with the better day. Two nice slot redfish, flounder and a number of other fish that day. Vincent caught trout, snook and snapper. We had a great time out there. David ended up taking first place in the high school division and biggest fish with his 24" redfish. The flats have continued to hold redfish. They are scattered about this time of year, but try around the mangroves in two to three feet of water. Fish slowly........with soft plastics or live bait. We have also caught reds under some of the docks of late. Live bait or soft plastics there as well. All have been slot size that we have boated.
Snook have continued to bite around the inlet. Night fishing has been the most productive. While most are shorts, a number of slots have been taken and some over size fish as well. Live bait has been the choice. Either large shrimp or finger mullet can get you some hits. The outgoing tide has been the best bite. Don't forget to hit a few docks for another chance at a hookup. A lot of shorts have been feeding on the flats. We have found most in two to three feet of water. Watch for nervous bait schools and fish around them. Soft plastics or Mirrolures have worked well for us. Snook season will close on December 15th.
Trout are still out of season and we haven't targeted them, but have caught them on the flats hanging in the same areas as the snook. Remember to handle them carefully and release them quickly and unharmed. January 1st will bring the opening of trout season again.
Bridges have been holding sheephead, black drum, snapper, sand perch and a few flounder. Live or dead shrimp is always the best choice for baits along the catwalks. Still waiting on the pompano and flounder bite to pick around the area. So far, just spotty reports of catches. Lots of jacks and ladyfish in the river to pull out some drag, especially for the youngsters.
Surf:
Whiting has been the best catch on the beach. Many anglers are fishing for pompano out there with mixed results. Live or dead shrimp or sandfleas are the best choices of baits. Just keep trying and they should turn on anytime out there. Sand fleas have been a little scarce in a lot of areas recently. Keep digging!
Tip of the Week:
Keeping your vessel organized is as important as tying on that favorite lure. Keep decks and walkways open. When battling with a fish, you don't always have the time to look around and make sure you have room to move about the vessel. Have equipment, whether fishing or emergency related, stored where everyone knows it's location. Reduce your risks and increase your fun out there on the water!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Happy Thanksgiving!
Inshore:
Fantastic weekend weather found many anglers hitting the water to enjoy both the sun and fishing. Monday brought some rainy and windier days to the Treasure Coast. It's still great to live and fish in Florida! Looks like some nice weather for the holiday weekend ahead of us. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!
We found ourselves in some great weather this week. Sunday I had Vincent Serio and David Brasher on the boat for the Teen Anglers Tournament. They both caught a good number of fish, but David ended up with the better day. Two nice slot redfish, flounder and a number of other fish that day. Vincent caught trout, snook and snapper. We had a great time out there. David ended up taking first place in the high school division and biggest fish with his 24" redfish. The flats have continued to hold redfish. They are scattered about this time of year, but try around the mangroves in two to three feet of water. Fish slowly........with soft plastics or live bait. We have also caught reds under some of the docks of late. Live bait or soft plastics there as well. All have been slot size that we have boated.
Snook have continued to bite around the inlet. Night fishing has been the most productive. While most are shorts, a number of slots have been taken and some over size fish as well. Live bait has been the choice. Either large shrimp or finger mullet can get you some hits. The outgoing tide has been the best bite. Don't forget to hit a few docks for another chance at a hookup. A lot of shorts have been feeding on the flats. We have found most in two to three feet of water. Watch for nervous bait schools and fish around them. Soft plastics or Mirrolures have worked well for us. Snook season will close on December 15th.
Trout are still out of season and we haven't targeted them, but have caught them on the flats hanging in the same areas as the snook. Remember to handle them carefully and release them quickly and unharmed. January 1st will bring the opening of trout season again.
Bridges have been holding sheephead, black drum, snapper, sand perch and a few flounder. Live or dead shrimp is always the best choice for baits along the catwalks. Still waiting on the pompano and flounder bite to pick around the area. So far, just spotty reports of catches. Lots of jacks and ladyfish in the river to pull out some drag, especially for the youngsters.
Surf:
Whiting has been the best catch on the beach. Many anglers are fishing for pompano out there with mixed results. Live or dead shrimp or sandfleas are the best choices of baits. Just keep trying and they should turn on anytime out there. Sand fleas have been a little scarce in a lot of areas recently. Keep digging!
Tip of the Week:
Keeping your vessel organized is as important as tying on that favorite lure. Keep decks and walkways open. When battling with a fish, you don't always have the time to look around and make sure you have room to move about the vessel. Have equipment, whether fishing or emergency related, stored where everyone knows it's location. Reduce your risks and increase your fun out there on the water!
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.}
