November 30, 2007
INSHORE:
Another beautiful week of fishing weather allowed holiday anglers to embark on adventures along the Treasure Coast. The seas calmed down enough for boats to venture out on the ocean in search of fishing action. It looks like we can expect good fishing weather throughout the week. December brings the close of snook season on the 15th and trout season will continue to be closed during the month. There are lots of other species out there to keep you occupied. Plan a trip on the water soon!
Snook fishing on the flats has produced shorts mostly, but some larger fish are patrolling also. The inlets have continued to hold bigger fish around the bridges, docks and seawalls. Mostly night anglers have been seeking those fish with live bait or feather jigs. We found snook on the flats early in the day and some hanging under the docks in the shade during the middle of the day. There is still a couple weeks to try and get that slot fish. Randy Jagielo caught his first snook this week, even though it was short of the slot.
We found a few redfish on the flats, but spooked them as we were poling across the area. I have found them hanging near the drop offs and around the mangroves. We did have one hooked up for a while until it tossed the hook on us. Live bait, gold spoons or soft plastics, like DOA jerk baits fished slowly can give you a chance at a hookup. There have been several reports of reds being caught around the jetties this week.
Trout action has been spotty, but we haven't been targeting them since the season has been closed. We did manage to skip some pompano in the river to the south of Fort Pierce. The pompano bite has picked up the week and should continue to improve. Randy boated a nice pomp this week for dinner. He also battled a nice size tripletail next to the boat before losing the fight as the fish got off. There are still some tripletail around the river down towards the power plant and Jensen Beach. Some reports of flounder around the mouth of the inlet and I expect to hear of a better bite soon.
Jacks, ladyfish and Spanish mackerel have been all over the inlet. We found schools of them harassing bait and hooked up numerous times with fish. It's great action and plan on losing some lures while you fish. Great fun for the kids to keep the smiles on their faces! Bridges have held some snapper, sheephead, black drum and sand perch. Live or dead shrimp is the favorite table fare for these fish.
SURF:
The pompano bite has been improving for those using shrimp or sand fleas. Whiting are still hanging along the beach. A silver spoon could net you jacks, bluefish or Spanish mackerel. Sand fleas have been spotty to find so you might have to take some with you as a backup. Lighter winds have made it much more enjoyable to fish the surf.
Tip of the Week: With a number of different species available both in the river and on the ocean. Most anglers keep rods rigged to be ready for encounters with these fish. Many fish require using specialized rigs or lures if you want a chance at a hookup. With a chance at pompano, flounder, redfish, etc....etc....it's important to be ready for any opportunity. If you happen to skip some pompano while heading to your fishing spot, will you have a rig ready to cast at them and fish the school? Most offshore boats keep a rod handy for cobia should they happen to run across one. Sometimes you only have seconds to make that cast to a fish. It pays to be prepared!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
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.}
