From Capt. Charlie @Fishing Center-Fort Pierce

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!

December Fishing Forecast:

Here it is December already and the Holidays are almost upon us. Where has this year gone? I must say it has been a great year for fishing all along the Treasure Coast. Both inshore and offshore has provided anglers with many great fishing adventures. We went from the coldest winter I can remember to the hottest summer I can think of.  Hopefully, this winter will be milder and the fishing great for everyone.

December brings on the winter months and changes fishing tactics on the river. The water temperatures continue to fall and your fishing must adjust to the weather. We will get many days of breezy winds that will hinder getting to some favorite spots out there. That's one of the reasons I love fishing in this area....you can always find somewhere to fish! Not only does the cooler weather affect the fish, it also requires us to dig out the ol' winter fishing clothes. It can get pretty chilly some mornings!

From Henry @ Snook Nook-Jensen Beach

  Surf anglers took the brunt of the forecast, one day excellent the next day impossible.  Blue Fish in the 5 to 8lb class for the early angler casting spoons with a mix of Mac’s.  Mackerel have a smaller mouth than the Blues and they will hit the spoon but not the hook.  You needed the bigger spoon that comes with the bigger hook to cast into the wind, you might try changing hook on that larger spoon and taking home a few of the Mac’s.  Pompano were there for the long cast, one needed to get over that white water and yes they do come into that white water but not when it is full of Blue Fish. 

            It was to the east side of the river this week, nice Red fish catches, if you could keep the pesky Trout away. From the power plant south anglers found Reds, Blues, Flounder and Jacks and in nice size schools of these fish, over cast days made for a day long bite. Pompano, in Hells Gate, the bottom of Sewall Point, Sail Fish flats, the Bridges one might say they are every where.  Good size and plenty of them, that little Jigging Spoon tops the list with colors changing from location to location.  Next time you are out and catching Pompano pay attention, is the tide coming in or going out, is it the flood of the high or half way into a low and yes they were in Herman’s Bay. Trout season is closed November and December so they also are every where, bring your camera, the really big Trout Know the season is closed, “pesky Trout”…………………………….HENRY

             

From Capt. Charlie @Fishing Center-Fort Pierce

Inshore Fishing:

Windy days and windy nights should be a country song!  Most days lately have been quite blustery and makes it a challenge to get out fishing on the river.  The ocean has been rough with a couple days that boats could venture out.  It looks like another windy weekend. but it should start to lay down in a few more days.

I was out with the Teen Anglers this month for their fishing tournament.  We had a great time in spite of the cooler water keeping most of the fish from biting.  Two of the kids did manage to catch a nice sheephead and they caught numerous jacks, ladyfish and even trout.  It was fun as always and I look forward to meeting up with the kids each month.  Anyone interested in volunteering your boat to take some of the kids fishing on a Sunday tournament should contact Cammie Ward at 772-201-5773.  We can always use some help and it's well worth your effort to show the kids a good time on the water.

A BIG THANKS

 My son and myself took a short trip to the Skyway bridge fishing pier, on the west coast of Fla. We had planned to spend a few nights on the bridge, and do some night fishing. I’ve  heard a lot of good things about fishing there, but The COLD weather allowed us to only spend Fri. night on the bridge. We left West Palm Beach it was sunny and about 78 degrees. Skyway was in the 50s doing the day, and 40s at night with winds 15-20mph, we were in shock. Sat. finely warmed up to the 60s and sunny.

   We were told about a place called Fort Desoto, just a short drive away. What a “Wade Fishing Paradise”.........

By it being my first time there, I found the local bait and tackle shop --- “The Bait Bucket”--- One of the best tackle shops that I’ve ever been in, not because of their selection of merchandise, (they had everything you could ever want) but because of the people who work there.... Ms Jackie, Kevin, Joe, Les and the rest of the staff treated us like we had been coming there for years. They told us what was bitting, Hot spots and what to use them. We had a great fishing trip, we caught  grouper, flounder, redfish, and trout, (Good Eaten Slam), all  THANKS  to The Bait Bucket. I can’t wait to get back over there.

From Henry @ Snook Nook

Well what can I say about the weather other than unpredictable, wind and waves do make a difference?  Our week started with a predication of eight foot seas and it did not happen, fishing was great all week until the end of the week then we felt the wrath of Mother Nature. We started the week surf fishing  and it was plenty of Blues on  cut bait and spoons, Mac’s, Jacks, and Snook kept most anglers busy taking the same. Whiting and Pompano were there also eating shrimp and clams and the bite was on, no mater the time there were fish and if you waited half an hour the what ever species was not there was back and a plenty.  Now the seas were forecast to be in the six foot area as they were for the whole week, but not until the week end did it blow and build, the week end.  I am not sure if you could get to blue water with a fourteen foot pole it was that big, sun was shining but the sea conditions were impossible. Monday, three to four foot waves and shrinking. 
   River anglers found plenty of fish, pesky Trout (season is closed), excellent Reds, plenty of Blues and the Pompano bite is on. Jigging Pompano from the bridges at the east end of the causeways, high out going seems to be the tide, these are fish are silver and the six is the bag.  Reds love the cooler weather, east or west side of the river and just about any thing you put in the water they would chew on.  From live baits to pieces of crab or mullet got their attention and those pesky Trout.  Flounder from many locations, don’t know if they were the target but quite a few went home with the anglers. Snook, the worst the weather the better the Snook fishing, pick a bridge, sun down, cast a Bomber plug or a Flair Hawk on the shadow lines and set the hook. So many Snook that anglers got to take one home, please do not bring a knife to the gun fight……………………HENRY

           

From Capt. Charlie-Fishing Center, Ft. Pierce

Inshore Fishing:

Continuing windy weather has blown out fishing on the ocean.  It has been rough both inshore and offshore this week.  Only a couple days were calm enough for anglers to venture out on the river.  The seas continue to build and it will be another rough weekend ahead for anglers.  The Teen Anglers Tournament is this Sunday and hopefully it will give us a break to get the kids out on the water to fish.

Snook fishing at night around the bridges and jetties have been productive again this week.  Those who braved the windy weather were rewarded with some slot fish and some oversized ones, too.  Live pinfish, DOA TerrorEyz, feather jigs and diving plugs all worked for anglers.  Some flounder have been caught around the sandy areas of the jetties.  The sand perch have began to invade the inlet and many anglers are out there fishing for them around the bridges and docks of the inlet.  Along the beach there have been pompano.  Most have been smaller, but it has been tough to fish the surf lately.  The trout bite remained good for catch and release fish on the grass flats.  Live pigfish, CAL jerk baits and live shrimp have all worked on the trout.  Once the wind settles down again the river will be productive on the flats and docks.

You should be able to find some pompano south of Fort Pierce on the deeper grass flats.  Use Doc's Goofy Jigs or sand fleas for bait.  The turning basin and inlet has been loaded with mackerel, bluefish and jacks.  Shiny lures will get you the most action.  The grouper should be around the inlet this time of year as the water cools down.  You can also find some black drum and sheephead around the catwalks.  There is plenty out there to fish for if the weather calms down.

Tip of the Week:

It's about that time of year to dig down deep into those corners of the closet and find some warm weather gear.  It gonna come in handy real soon.  The morning have been crisp and you will begin to layer on clothes to deal with the change in temperatures throughout the day.  I wore long johns too many days last winter, but they sure kept me from freezing!!  Mornings are going to be cool so dress for it and keep comfortable out there!

Big Ones Showing Up

 I was up at Lake Worth Pier today, some blues, macs and a few REALLY nice “pompanos”. There was one that had to be about 14-15” to the fork of the tail. I may need to go to Lake Worth more often. There was only two guys fishing for pomps using fleas that they caught the evening before.

A Quick Look Around

If your out for a good fight there has been a lot of “GOOD SIZE”  macs and bluefish, at Juno Pier and on the beaches up that way. They seem to be hitting everything in sight. Whiting, Pompano and a few Cobs there to. I had a nice flounder on at the pier, while  fishing live shrimp for the snapper that have been hanging around.( I did say flounder and “HAD” it on ). I was so surprised to see it I set the hook, forgetting I had a circle hook on and the flounder let go about 5ft out of the water.

   For you “ NIGHT OWLS ”   Juno Pier is open 24hrs, threw the middle of Feb. I will check out the night action and let you know whats going on there.......... 

   There have been a lot of big drum at the Roosevelt Bridge in Stuart, a hunk of crab or shrimp should do the trick. Snook are still being caught there to, some big ones I’ve been told. The Roosevelt is also a good place for sheepshead fishing, they should be showing up soon.

  There has been snook caught at the Flagler and Lantana bridges at night on live mullet. Take a jacket, it’s been a little chilly out there, also check the tide chart out, snook like moving water.

I should have more info. on whats going on down south in a day or so........

from Capt. Charlie-Fishing Center, Ft. Pierce

Cooler weather and lots of windy days along the Treasure Coast have made it a challenge to fish many days this week.  Let's hope that this isn't a warning of another cold winter that is fast approaching.  If you can get out of the wind, it's pretty nice out there and the fish have been biting most days.  I guess it's time to find where I stowed the winter clothes!!

I was out with Ron, Mike and Tephanie mid-week on a windy day.  We found both trout and black drum willing to eat.  Once we found the trout, there was lots of action on the flats.  Live shrimp and Deadly Combos are great on the flats for catch and release trout.  We found our drum hanging along the mangroves.  It will continue to be difficult  to get out and deal with the winds, but worth it when the fish are biting.  DON'T FORGET THAT TROUT SEASON IS CLOSED NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER...

We had our best luck on the east shoreline.  Queen's Cove continues to be productive for us.  Harbor Branch and Round Island can also be great areas to fish.  I haven't been south for a while due to the windy days.  Black drum and sheephead have been holding around the bridges, docks and structure along the river.  Bluefish, jacks and mackerel have been feeding around the inlet and turning basin this month.  Night anglers have been enjoying a good nighttime snook bite in this weather lately.  A number of slot fish have been reported.
Flounder have been taken around the jetties and sand flats of the inlet.  The surf has held whiting and pompano.  Most of the pomps have been smaller, but there are some good sized ones out there as well.

From Henry @ Snook Nook

 Bah, humbug, I want to be warm not cold.  Yes, I know it is good for the Sail fish, Pompano, Blues and Mac’s but I live in south Florida.

This week it was weather, north wind bringing in fifty degrees and six foot seas, great for surfing but I want to fish. All this cooler weather had effects on the anglers but not the fish, the bite was on.  In shore and off if you could get bait in the water you had a fish.  These cooler temps tell the fish it is time to put on some weight for winter now you just have to be there to feed them.

          Off shore the bite was close but as the week move on so did the wave heights of course it will lay down and you need to be there.  King in 20’, lots of nice fish, plenty in the 20lb class eating any thing that comes their way.  Sail fish were at the 100’ mark and there was plenty, boats were going four for ten or six for eight, trolling ballyhoo a really good push following these cooler days.  Dolphin were in between, fish in the fifteen to twenty pound class and you guessed it, Ballyhoo was the bait of choice.  Then as quickly as it turned on the weather man turn on that wind weapon, now the fish are still there just that we have to wait till we can get there.  Mutton snapper bit was outstanding from forty feet to sixty, now if we can just figure out how to anchor in six foot seas, and yes the Spanish Mac’s are back.

           >From the surf it was Blues and Mac’s, Pompano, Whiting and Snook, that was early in the week, those cooler temps move a lot of fish in.

Wind did slow some anglers but most found it work able till the week end then the waves were just too much. Kast Master makes a spoon that is designed to cast into the wind, two shapes and plenty of differing weights for wind and equipment sizes and they work, that is the cool thing. Blues, Mac’s and Snook top catch list biting all day, Pompano and whiting moved in when the above moved out the cycle worked all day.  Now I am more than sure they are still there when the seas settle.  Spoons or cut bait for the fish with teeth, shrimp, clams and sand fleas for every body else and I will sit here and wait for the weather man to turn off the wind weapon.

          The worst the weather the better the Snook fishing leave the boat home and come on down to the bridge, any bridge.  Anglers found to many fish, how about multiple hooks up and many were in the slot Red Tails Hawks top the list and if you are going take several because you are going to loose a few.  This bite out lasted the anglers but it will change as the weather gets back to normal.  Pompano are arriving, the area just north of Sail Fish and the bridges have had some excellent runs, and pesky Trout are every where. Good Red Fish bite and then the wind came and no anglers to take advantage of these poor fish. More and more Flounder on the catch list, oh no winter must be here, change of seasons. Plenty of Blues, Jacks and Mac’s to make you crazy, just that north wind keeps on blowing, look to the flat water.  So I guess we will just have to Snook Fish under a bridge, don’t you just hate when this happens, see you there………………………………………………………..HENRY

From Henry @ Snook Nook

Starting at the beach, it has been a great week with a long catch list and the best part is any time you showed up there was fish. Plenty of Blues, Whiting, Croaker, Pompano, Mac’s and a few more were there and this was all day.  Blues were there through out the day, spoons and cut bait top the bait list and the Mac’s and Jacks were there if the Blues missed the bait.  Anglers that preferred the Whiting and Croaker found plenty at their toes, the Blues kept them on the edge most of the day.  With all the sand fleas on the beach you know the Pompano would be there. We reported lots of small Pompano over the past few weeks and now here come the keepers, do not forget the ice. Most interesting was the time, any time, depending on your location at some point they would be there, lots of fish all week and a seven foot rod kept you in the game.

                                    In shore the Trout season is closed, so they will be hitting any thing thrown.  November and all of December the Trout will get a break, one can still catch but you can not keep, time to take the barbs off the hooks because you and I both know it will be all big Trout, have your camera ready.  Red fish, slot Snook and Flounder will be the target if you can keep the pesky Trout away.  Red Fish just seem to like the west side of the Indian River, yes you catch them on the east side but the west, around the docks is their favored location, along with some slot size Snook, early is the prime time into mid morning, top water, gold spoons, live shrimp and soft rubber will find them if you can keep those pesky Trout away.  Flounder anywhere you find a hole in the grass or the drop of a channel edge, fish the drop, almost to the rise.  Shrimp on a jig head, just slide your bait across the bottom, they hit hard so do not loose you grip.

                This week end in Ft Pierce is the SKA nationals, lots of boats, lots going on, stop up………………………..Henry 

from Capt. Charlie-Fishing Center, Ft. Pierce

Warm fall weather has been the norm lately along the Treasure Coast. Windy conditions have made it a challenge for anglers to enjoy the great fishing action around the Indian River. Lots of baitfish all over the river this time of year makes it a fantastic time to fish. There is some great action all over the area, so plan on a fishing adventure soon!

November Forecast:

This month we will continue to see the conditions changing to the winter weather.  Cooler nights and nice sunny days will make for great days of fishing the Treasure Coast. Tarpon continue to feed the inlet at night. The bluefish are along the jetties and invading the river for their share of the spoils. Spanish mackerel are spreading around the river and the turning basin will soon provide some great action for anglers. Pompano are along the surf and lots of fish are being caught south of Fort Pierce on the deeper flats. Redfish are being caught around the docks in the river. Bridge anglers are eagerly awaiting that first sign of the sand perch bite. There is action all over the river, so get out fishing soon!

As the water temperatures continue to drop, look to the deeper flats and cuts for trout, snook and other species to be feeding.  Tidal cuts are a great way to find fish.  Work them with the tides and let your bait or lures drift across the cuts.  Fish will be sitting along the edges waiting for the tides to bring the food to them.  Try deep docks and seawalls for snook this month.  Redfish, black drum and sheephead will also use these areas to feed.  I love using a TerrorEyz or DOA shrimp under the docks.  On the flats, try a Deadly Combo for a variety of fish.

The surf will hold whiting, pompano, bluefish and jacks.  Bridges are home to black drum, sheephead and soon the sand perch will move in.  Snook fishing around the jetties and bridges at night will be productive all month.  Diving plugs, live bait, top water and Bait Busters will all work on catching snook.

Tip of the Week:

Just a reminder that trout season is closed November and December each year. Everyone is always attuned to snook season, but many forget about the closing of trout season. Catch and release is very important to trout. A de-hooker can reduce handling the fish for a quick release. The season will re-open on January 1st. Ignorance of the law is never an excuse to possess an illegal fish.

As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!