From Scott@ White's Tackle - Ft Pierce

Inshore, the redfishing fired off yesterday!!!  I spoke with Tony Vercillo last night.  Tony caught 30 nice redfish most mid to upper slot.  Gulp shrimp were working their magic.  There are giant trout laid up everywhere right now.   It has been tough to get them to eat, but most have been in the 5-10 pound range.  I haven't heard or seen too many pompano lately but they should continue to push in with the cold water.

Sebestian

Took a day trip up to Sebastian Inlet today. The day started overcast and cool, but the water was pretty clean   accept for  all the  CATFISH and BLUEFISH  they made it hard to get any bait out on the bottom. The sky got much better and warmer about the last 2 hours of low tide, people started catching drum, sheepshead a few reds, small permit 10-11inches, a lot more bluefish and MORE catfish on the south side. The north side had so many people we didn’t try to go over there to fish, but I’m sure they and the same catfish and blues we had. Right before high tide turned into low we got a few flounder 13-14inches on the south catwalk, but then the tide turned and the current was too strong to drag a shrimp or mud minnow on bottom. Mid January-February the flounder will be making there way “BACK” into the inlet from their spawn. I made some good contacts on this trip, and I’ll keep you posted on whats biting up there.......

From Scott@ White's Tackle - Ft Pierce

Inshore has still been really good considering the extreme temperatures.  The red-fishing has been excellent and has produced double digits almost daily.  The big winter trout are schooled up in deep holes in the early and late hours, and are pushing up in the shallows during the heat of the day to warm up.  Gulp, mirror lure and Marsh Works soft plastics have been producing great results.  A super slow presentation is required to get the bite.  There are still some big redfish in the Ft. Pierce Inlet as well as plenty of bluefish, mackerel, and some nice flounder.
Have a great day!!!
-Scott

Pomps move, so should you

“Looking for pompano” ?  Look at the beaches a little south, of Juno Pier, they are moving with the warmer water. There have been fish caught off of Singer Island’s Coral Reef Park, and down by the PB inlet. I would bet the next stop is going to be Boynton Beach (note you can’t fish the jetties yet--March, April maybe-- but the north and south side of the inlet you can). Park in the south parking lot and its a short walk to ether side , I would even bounce a Capt. Joe’s pompano jig tipped with a piece of shrimp, off the back sea wall of the parking lot, I’ve caught them there before. On the beach you may want to use a double hook pompano set up with a 2-4oz. sinker to get it out there around the sand bar. The pomp guys use clams and sand fleas as bait. Fleas are getting hard to find because of the cold, so go with the clams. You can get them from Publix or a fish market, shrimp will work but some of these guys fish pompano **EVERY DAY** they are using clams.  “They talk, I listen”. As the weather and water warms up again’ the pomps will find their way back north looking for a meal, and if you want to catch them you got to move with them.

From Capt. Charlie-Fishing Center, Ft. Pierce

January Fishing Forecast

Well, it appears that we just might be in for another cold winter here on the Treasure Coast.  Night temperatures have plummeted into the 20's and 30's once again and that will certainly keep the water colder than normal for this time of year.  Hopefully, we won't see the fish kills like last year around the state.  We will be fishing deeper water for some time now, but action can be exciting in some areas of the river in January.  Water temperature is very important in January for your success on the river.

January is typically a windy month.  You might enjoy one or two days a week that are calmer, but expect it to be windy.  Using the right ramps can make your day better.  There are many ramps around the area that allow you to launch depending on wind direction.  The river can be rough some days, but you can still fish most days if you plan your trips carefully.  It is a great month to fish in spite of weather conditions that might not be to your liking.

Bridges will continue to produce sheephead, black drum, croakers and bluefish.  Most of the anglers on the catwalks prefer live or frozen shrimp for these fish.  The inlet and turning basin will be full of bluefish, jacks and mackerel this month.  Live or dead bait on a jig head will give you plenty of action along with silver spoons or shiny lures.  Around seawalls, channel edges or deeper structure you can find grouper for catch and release action in January.  Snook action around the jetties and bridges will be active mostly at night for anglers using feather jigs, TerrorEyz and live bait.  Snook will remain closed this year until September.

Redfish can be found around docks and sitting on the flats on warm, sunny days.  DOA shrimp or CAL jerk baits work great for wintertime fishing.  Docks will be loaded with sheephead in January with nice sized fish.  Pompano fishing will depend on water temperatures for their location, but they will be in the area throughout the winter.  Surf anglers will be targeting these fish on days when the beach is fishable.  Flounder should be found around the jetties on the beach side and on sand flats around the inlet.  If you can find warmer water on the flats, you will most likely find trout feeding in those areas.  Last year, we were rewarded many days as the sun would warm up a patch of water and get the fish actively feeding.  CAL jerk baits were very successful on the trout.  Ladyfish will be all over the river for fun action for the little ones.

January Tips:  Dress for the weather.  We might get one or two days each week that might be warmer, but most days will be on the cooler side.  There can be a 30 degree swing in temperature on some days.  Dressing in layers can keep you comfortable throughout the day in January.  Once you become cold, it's hard to warm back up again.  Keep yourself comfortable and enjoy some good fishing in January.  Stay warm and safe and enjoy the winter!

Remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!

 Thanks and Good Fishing!
 Captain Charlie Conner

 www.fishtalescharter.com
 captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
 772-284-3852

From Henry @ Snook Nook-Jensen Beach

  Surf anglers found plenty of Blues using cut baits and spoons and any time was a good time, now if we could turn off the wind.  Had reports of Blue Fish all day, it is good that some species like the cooler temps because I don’t.  Pompano have been scattered, with all the Blues in I would scatter also, Tiger Shores and Virginia Forrest are the two access point that have held Pompano most of the day.  Whiting, a few but most are targeting the Blues and Pompano not much pressure on these fish.

            Red Fish have been in the Power Plant area, right up in the mangroves, shrimp on a jig head has been the preferred bait.  Because of the cooler water wait till the sun has been up, it will warm that skinny water and then the fish will move in.  Clear water make for sight fishing, problem, if you can see them they can see you, stay in the channel watch for activity then move in.  Trout season is still closed, pesky fish, but the first is right around the corner and then we will see.  Would like to have great report on Pompano but I would have to see some anglers and it has been less than polite, thank you weather man, they have to be there just that we don’t. 

           Till next week I will be praying for warm weather, “Happy New Year”……………………..Henry

Just a note

 “HAPPY HOLIDAY”   to all. I plan to do a lot of fishing this up coming week, hitting every spot I can to get some hands on, report updates . Hope everyone got all the new fishing toys they wanted.

Gone Fishing.......

 Tony 

Juno Pier's end of the year run

This has been a fairly good month at the Juno Pier, a lot of macs, blue fish some kingfish a few reds and whiting the big watch has been for cobia. There have been a good number spotted and caught. There was 6 one day with 4 keepers, about a week ago. There was one caught today in the 20-25lb. range and a few others spotted, but the real story was a 71 lb. cobia caught Tue. of this week. caught on one of the many jigs that are made by the anglers.  Today the water looked perfect for pompano and macs, ***  the only thing was they didn’t know that. Monday was the day for pompano, a good number caught. There are more being caught off the beaches using sand fleas, and shrimp. Try to get your bait out pass were the waves are breaking closes to the beach, pomps hold up out there waiting for food to wash out to them. If you don’t get a bite at one spot move to another an another an another....a little further down the beach, remember you can’t be a pompano fisherman if you take a chair.

From Henry @ Snook Nook-Jensen Beach

 Cold and colder, not sure I like this but the Blue Fish don’t mind.  This is south

Florida and it is supposed to be warm but the weather man likes cold weather and so do the Mackerel, Blues, Pompano and yes the Sail fish.

On the surfs edge there were plenty of Blues most reports came from beaches south of the Jensen access, the fish were in and out all day.

Favored baits were cut baits to locate the fish then it was Spoons, a few runs to the north but it was definite to the south.  When the Blues weren’t there the Pompano move in taking clams and sand fleas but about the time you put a few on the sand in came the Macs and chewed everything off. Go have a bite then start over, Macs moved out and with a little luck in came the Pompano, with my luck it was more Blue Fish. All that being said with that west winds the beach was beautiful, beautiful blue water.

           River anglers it was a Red Fish week they like the cool water but it was cold, wait till mid morning then come on down, that sun warms the skinny water quick and they know it, have breakfast first.  Gold spoons top the bait list but a live shrimp was hard for them to turn down. From Midway Road south to Walton is was busy fishing. Pesky Trout, the season will open on the first then we will see how brazen you are, bring the camera, and now is when that big one will catch your hook. Pompano at the bridges, one day hot the next not so hot, not sure why have thought tides or sun or temps but none seem to add up to a limit catch, it is up to them.  One day in the Sail Fish Flats the next in Hells Gate, no pattern, no special time, they just show up.

Form the bridges that little Jigging Spoon, in the flats try putting some clam or a sand flea on a dead stick and cast a spoon with the other rod.  Snook they do not like the cold, they will go to the deeper water, fish the light lines around the bridges, slower then slow on the retrieve, dark hour preferred.

Lots of Black Drum from the bridges, big Drum favored baits have been crabs but shrimp and clam will get their attention.  Cold I thought I lived in south Florida, how many BTUs can I get from a Palm Tree.

From Capt. Charlie @Fishing Center-Fort Pierce

Alright, so winter has set in and it appears that we might be in for another cold season.  Well, let's hope not!  One cold front has passed and another is fast approaching the Treasure Coast.  As usual, they seem to hit us on the weekends and only allow a couple days a week to have a chance to get out on the water.  Better get those cold weather clothes out and ready!

The anglers who fished the past week found a good nighttime snook bite around the jetties and inlet.  Live bait, feather jigs and DOA TerrorEyz have been working best for snook anglers trying to get a slot fish before the season closed on December 15th.  There is only a few days left.

There has been a good redfish bite on the west shoreline both north of Fort Pierce around Harbor Branch and south around the docks.  Live bait, CAL jerk baits and DOA shrimp have all worked.  There has also been some good size reds taken around the jetties recently.  Trout are catch and release this month, but there have been trout taken on the deeper cuts of the flats on popping corks.

Pompano and whiting have been biting along the surf when fishable on shrimp, sand fleas and Doc's Goofy Jigs.  Sand perch, sheephead and black drum have been caught off the bridges and catwalks this week.  Dead shrimp is always the best bait choice in these spots.

It's gonna get cold again next week, so dress warm and plan on fishing in deeper water for the best results.  Afternoons can find fish moving up shallow to get warm and always a possibility of a redfish or trout in the shallows on a sunny afternoon.  Have fun out there!

Remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!

 Good Fishing!
 Captain Charlie Conner

 www.fishtalescharter.com
 captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
 772-284-3852
 

From Henry @ Snook Nook -Jensen Beach

Cooler temps mean cooler water and that means Blue Fish and more Blues, from the surf the rivers and if it is wet they are probably there too.  Mix in some Macs and Pompano and you might say are winter visitors are here.  Blues on the beach, in and out all day starting at sun rise, nice schools of three to five pound fish are there.  Blues are fun to catch they attack the bait they want it before one of the others gets it.  They will eat about any thing that moves, so weather it is a spoon or a lure even cut bait take the barbs off the hooks it makes for a fast release from you and for you also. When the Blues slow the Pompano and big Whiting will show, a piece of clam or shrimp will catch both and Blues will also bite, so you will know when they are back. Weather man told us all week about big seas and they never showed, looking for rod benders try the surf it has been an event.

           When the weather man calls for a turn in temperatures be at the causeways, the fish know, and the bite is on.  They need to eat, build up the energy; Friday it was Snook all day from early to late.  Flair hawks, Bombers, D.O.A. TerrorEyz, over slot, under and some in the slot but a lot of Snook. Water is cooling so slow those baits down and fish deeper water, Trout is still closed and Snook will close on the 15^th but plenty of Reds, Blues and Pompano to keep busy with. If Reds are the target wait till mid morning and fish the shallow water that is the water that warms the quickest and they know it, stay deep and watch for the schools then move ahead and let them come to you. Did I mention the Jacks and Spanish Macs were every where?

Big Mac

Macs are GOING OFF at the Juno Pier  There was a early morning bite today and the same yesterday that had anglers filling there buckets and coolers full of big mackerel. They where biting everything, jigs, plugs, spoons, if it was thrown out there it got ate. There where few pompano even though the water looked perfect for them, maybe there will be a evening run. 

  Blue fish and Macs are being caught up at Hobe Sound, and other beaches up north.

COLD WEATHER COBIA

Sun. there were a number of cobia at Juno, What I was told, 7-8 with 4 keepers. One in the 40-50 pound range was lost while trying to bring it up on the pier *(when fishing bring  “your own”  bridge net  don’t think there is going to be one already on the pier)*. They where caught on jigs that a lot of the anglers make themselves,you might be able to buy a few from the guys ,but they are not cheap. They put a lot of work into these fish catching works of art. Very colorful with feathered tails. Cobia like that flash, and colors for some reason, but ha if it works go with it. One of the most important things about Cobia or any kind of fishing is give the other angler his or her room to fish,  Lets call it  “FISHING ETIQUETTE” something we ALL   should practice. 

From Henry @ Snook Nook -Jensen Beach

 Want to bend a rod; the surf has been the spot.  For that early angler casting cut baits or lures it has been Blue Fish and more Blue Fish. Want to have breakfast first, mid morning, how about Whiting, Croaker, Mac’s and Blue fish with a mix of Pompano.  After lunch it is all about Pompano, Whiting, Croaker and Blue Fish.  After dinner it is Pompano, Blue Fish and you get the idea the fish are there all day depending on the time and location. If they are not there wait twenty minutes or so and some one will show, if you are fishing up close it could be any one of the above but the Pompano try a long cast and it is shrimp that is getting their attention.  Surf anglers have had a busy week, but the great thing about the week is pick a time and come on down and see who bends the rod, surf has been busy fishing.  Almost forgot to mention big Jacks, twenty pound class, serious Jack’s.

          Pompano has been the river target, weather you are fishing in the North Fork, Hells Gate, across the Sail Fish Flats or from the bridges they have been there a few times through out the day, enough for the lucky anglers to catch their limit.  Depending on who you talk to as to weather they bite on the incoming or out going but the bite is on morning, noon and evening, three pound fish.  That little jigging spoon is the bait, some tip it, some don’t, and some say it is the one with the fly on it but what ever that jigging spoon works.  Twenty pound leader is all you need, heavier and it effects the action or the fish see it so go lighter not heavier.  Good Red Fish bite north to the Power Plant if you can keep the “pesky” Trout off your bait and the Flounder keep coming, not a lot but every angler reports one or two, early seems best and then you can go chase the Pomp’s.  Plenty of Lady Fish, Jacks and Sheephead to keep busy while, waiting for the Pompano and the tide to turn.

From Capt. Charlie @Fishing Center-Fort Pierce

Inshore Fishing:

Looks like winter has really decided to set in on the Treasure Coast.  Cold nights and windy days have been the norm lately and it appears that it will be here for a while longer.  That will certainly continue cooling off the water and make it challenging to fish this month.  Hopefully, it will warm back up soon and bring the water temps up to a normal level again.

Joe and Derrick joined me for a morning fishing just before the latest cold front invaded the area.  It was windy out, but we were able to find fish and have a good time out there on the river.  The father and son team found a variety of fish to catch, including black drum, sheephead and flounder among the other species out on the flats.  It was a fun morning!

Some of the better bites around the river has been black drum around docks and structure on live or dead shrimp.  Sheephead and sand perch around the bridges on the same baits.  Whiting and pompano along the beaches on shrimp, sand fleas and Doc's Goofy Jigs.  Trout have moved into deeper flats and you can find some catch and release action on Deadly Combos, CAL jerk baits and TerrorEyz.  Docks have held some redfish on the deeper docks around the river.  The snook bite at night has been good around the jetties, bridges and docks of the inlet.  There has also been some tarpon around the jetties at night.  Daytime on the inlet has produced bluefish, mackerel and jacks on shiny spoons and lures.  Some flounder has been taken around the inlet on the sandy bottoms.  It's a good time to fish....just plan on some cold days out there!

It takes a little more time to get ready for fishing adventures this time of year.  Dressing in layers to deal with cold temperatures in the early mornings and coping with a 20 plus degree swing in the thermometer as the sun comes up is an important part of preparing for the days fishing.  Being comfortable can make a trip much more enjoyable this time of year.  It's time to dig out the ol' long johns and coats.....winter has officially arrived on the Treasure Coast!

Remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!

 Good Fishing!
 Captain Charlie Conner

 www.fishtalescharter.com
 captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
 772-284-3852