From Scott@ White's Tackle - Ft Pierce

On the beach= There are still PLENTY of Spanish Mackerel, bluefish, and sharks to be caught by Fly and Spinning anglers.  I have heard several reports of cobias popping up on the reef the last few weeks so hopefully we will have a good migration this year.  There are also a surprising number of tarpon still around if you can get them to cooperate with this cold water.
Inshore was not bad this weekend.  We saw a good number of really nice upper to 35" reds in the Vero to Wabasso areas on Saturday.  There were also some nice trout to 10 pounds laid up in some super skinny water in the Fort.  The incidental fish (jacks, ladyfish, bluefish, macks, etc.) seem to be further South.
Have a great day,

Fishing Around

Got word earlier today that there where Pompanos up off Bath Tube Beach, you had to walk a little but there where boats fishing off the beach in casting range that gave you a idea where the where. My source was using a Capt. Joe’s Pompano jig 

  and got his limit.

If you are up that way also fish Bessie’s Cove, which is just on the other side of the road, great wading and there is a little pier at the end of the path.

 I was fishing at Ft. Pierce where there where flounders 14 -17inches, black drum, a few red fish, nice size ocean perch, and some med. size macs. A beautiful day out on the jetty.

From Capt. Charlie @Fishing Center-Fort Pierce

While winter is still around the Treasure Coast and weekly cold fronts will continue to bring cool nights and lots of windy days to the area, fishing will still be good out on the water. Water temperatures can dictate where and how you might fish on any given day this month. When the water is cold, fish the deeper cuts and drop offs of the river. Sunny days will bring fish up in shallower waters to feed and the bite can really get hot out on the flats.

The trout bite picks up very nicely in February. CAL jerk baits and Deadly Combos are exciting ways to trout fish with artificial lures, while live shrimp on popping corks are the ol’ standard way to trout fish out on the river. Redfish can be found in shallow flats around mangroves and islands. On warm sunny days, the reds will sit around the mangroves and soak up the sun. Finding some along an island will bring some good rod bending action to anglers this month. DOA shrimp and CAL jerk baits can find some hungry reds hugging the mangrove lines when fished very slowly. Docks are a great way to find plenty of fish waiting for something tasty to drift under them.

Sheephead will be plentiful around the river and the larger fish will be coming into the river to breed. Live or dead shrimp around bridges, docks and structure can provide lots of action in addition to some great tasting fish. Sand perch and croakers should also be hanging around the inlet and bridges during February. Pompano around the surf and on the deeper flats of the river can be taken on CAL grub tails, Doc’s Goofy Jigs and shrimp or clams. Bluefish, mackerel and jacks will continue to haunt the baitfish around the jetties and turning basin. Shiny lures will keep you busy. There should be some flounder around the back sides of the jetties and on sand flats around the inlet area.

February is a transition month on the river. Winter has been much kinder this year on the Treasure Coast. We have enjoyed more normal winter weather and the fish bite has been good for us. Winds will still be blowing and the water will begin to gradually rise in temperature. Fishing your lures slowly will certainly give you more action on the river. Fish tend to be sluggish in the colder water. Working your lures or bait slower along the bottom will give the fish more time to react to it and result in more bites for anglers. Have fun this month and get out fishing!

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

 Thanks and Good Fishing!
 Captain Charlie Conner

 www.fishtalescharter.com
 captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com

From Scott @ Whites Tackle Ft Pierce

Inshore, along our beaches you can find bluefish, mackerel, pompano and whiting. Sand fleas have been sparse this winter because of the cold weather. Last night the south jetty produced bluefish and a decent bite of snook. Snook and bluefish can also be caught from the wall at the end of fisherman's wharf.

From Scott @ Whites Tackle Ft Pierce

Inshore, trout would be the main topic.  There are plenty to 16-19" trout being caught both North and South of the bridges.  The larger trout have been in super skinny water mid-day.  We had several last week in the 8 pound range.  Red-fishing is still good but the larger schools have been beat on pretty hard and are getting wise to our tricks (thanks to several of our friends, you know who you are, LOL).  We have started to see some really nice over-sized reds intermingling with the slot fish, some in the 15 pound class.  D.O.A. bait busters have been working great on both the big trout and reds.  If your not getting bites out of the reds on shrimp and jerk baits try a fishy imitation.  The reds seem to be feeding more on mullet and baitfish then crustaceans right now.

From Mike @ Native Tackle Supply Sebastian

In terms of variety the Sebastian Inlet has been red hot the past weeks with reports of Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Black Drum, Redfish, Pompano, Sheepshead, and some wintertime Snook.  For the bluefish best bet is a 1 to 1-1/2 oz spoon or try drifting a cut bait.  For the Spanish Macks no other lure works quite as good as a Gotcha plug.  Black Drum have been hitting on shrimp tipped jig heads while the Reds have been most active at night drifting live pinfish.  The pompano bite has moved to our inlets to the south but a few smaller keepers are being caught on the Doc's Goofy jig. 

 INSHORE

  

In the river it has all been about the trout.  There is no shortage of 16" plus trout up and down the Indian River in all the usual fishy places and no better artificial lures than a Gulp Swimming Mullet or a DOA CAL Shad on a 1/4oz jig head.  I like using the DOA CAL Shad New Penny on a chartreuse CAL 1/4 oz jig head with a small squirt of Pro-Cure for added scent.  In the shop, we have a great assortment of DOA's for just about every condition.  In addition to the trout, the redfish bite seems to get better with warmer weather with most of the action centered south of the Wabasso Bridge.  Twitching plugs, soft baits, and live shrimp have all worked well.  When plugging artificial we have had good luck drifting a live mud minnow behind the boat and more often that not, that seems to get hit hard.  

From Mike@ Native Tackle Supply Sebastian

 SURF

Pompano, and Whiting remain steady for those 

fishing off the beaches. Pompano have been hitting more on cut live or frozen clams instead of sand fleas with 18" being the average sized Pompano.  A double rigged Pompano Pro rig with a #1 Mustad Kaehle hook is a great setup for those using bait or stop in and try one of our own Pompano rigs we make in the shop.  Also if you have never tried one you will be amazed just how well a Doc's Goofy Jig works for those going after Pompano by boat or off the jetty.  Stop on by the shop as we have one of the largest selection of Doc's Goofy Jigs on the east coast.  Also on the beach have been some scattered reports of good sized Black Drum getting caught in an occasional Pompano rig.

Sebastian Inlet Report

The wind has picked up some; it's blowing out of the Southwest at 17 mph this morning and the water is choppy. There is a small craft advisory in effect through late Wednesday night.

An update from Mike Ricciardi of Vero Beach reported that the bite was slow on the north jetty yesterday morning. There was an early morning Bluefish bite and lots of Catfish came over the rails. Two Black Drum were landed but Tony Swiderski of Sebastian won the "fishing lottery" with his 38", 27.5 lb Black Drum. Tony was using a combination of shrimp and clams to land this big guy on the last 15 minutes of the outgoing tide.

From Henry @ Snook Nook -Jensen Beach

Cool, warm, wind and sun shine it has been a week for the weather.  Changing temperatures has changed the way we plan our fishing days, it pays to wait till the sun warms our waters, and it is Florida and our fish like it warm.

               To the beach it has been more Pompano than I can remember, from Ft. Pierce to Hobe Sound the talk is Pompano.  Interesting part is the fish have been up close, Sundays surf made it difficult but the fish were there.  Angler’s reports were limit catches and all big fish not one call on the minimum size.  Favored baits were clams and sand fleas and yes the bite started mid morning, as soon as the edge warmed the fish moved in. Plenty of Blues on cut baits, a little longer cast to locate these fish unless you were fishing the inlets, these areas were covered up with Blues, Macs and Jacks.

                >From the bridges was Pompano, plenty of Pompano.  That little jig was the preferred bait, but we had anglers catch them on shrimp, clams and sand fleas, the good part was it was an all day bite.  If you waited for the water to warm it was Snapper, Black Drum and some real nice Trout, mix in the Blues, Macs and yes more Pompano. River anglers had their fill of Trout and Red Fish from north to south it has been a strong bite.  Reds on small spoons and shrimp from late morning to late afternoon mix in all good size Trout and what can I say other than fishing has been excellent.

Sebastian Inlet Report

t's overcast at the inlet this morning. Winds are blowing out of the Southeast at 5 mph and there is a light chop on the water. 

Over the weekend anglers landed a variety of fish. A lot of Bluefish were landed, some Spanish Mackerel, Black Drum, Snook, Reds and Sheepshead all made appearances. Pompano were running nicely off the south beach. This morning things are slow, Bluefish were running early this morning and not much else. Maybe the tide change will turn it around for us.

From Capt. Charlie @Fishing Center-Fort Pierce

Ol' Man Winter has been a little more kinder to the Treasure Coast so far this year.  The normal cold fronts continue to cross our path each week, but not that fish killing cold weather that we experienced last year.  A couple more weeks and we should begin the transition into spring.  Expect normal windy days out there with an occasional calmer day or two to enjoy the weather.

The trout bite has been good as long as the water temps stay in the mid 60's or better.  Hungry fish around the flats have been good for anglers using Deadly Combos, live shrimp or CAL jerk baits.  The Arkansas Glow color has continued to produce trout on a small jig head.   Fish in two to five feet of water to improve your chances at finding the trout.  Redfish have been hitting the shallows on sunny days and can be found around docks and mangroves this time of year.  Snook fishing has been pretty quiet lately with the jetties being the best spot at night.  I had a good number of reports of good flounder fishing around the back side of the jetties and on sand flats around the inlet this past week.

The inlet continues to be full of bluefish, jacks and mackerel for anglers using shiny lures.  Around the bridges, docks and structure you can find plenty of sheephead, black drum and other species who inhabit the waters.  Pompano have been taken along the beach and in the river, but mostly south of Fort Pierce.  Sand fleas, clams and shrimp have been the baits of choice for those tasty pomps.

Herbert was in town from Austria doing some work and decided to have a fun day fishing on the river.  Trout, sheephead and black drum kept him busy on the Indian River this past week.  Have some fun this month and get out to enjoy the great fishing action around the Treasure Coast!

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

Fishing Around A little Up North

Surf: Whiting, pompano and bluefish are dominating surf catches this week. The blues and whiting can be found almost anywhere, but the larger pomps are concentrated south of Melbourne Beach where water temperatures are warmer. Live sandfleas are working best, but can be hard to find on the beach. Local bait shops will carry them.

Sebastian Inlet: During the day, bluefish are still tearing through the inlet during high tides. Rat-L-Traps, silver spoons and fresh cut mullet are working best. The black drum bite has slacked off a bit, but a few are still coming over the jetty rails. At night, big reds are hitting live pins and pigs drifted through the channel. The tide pool is currently being dredged, and that area remains closed.

Inshore: In the northern Banana River, reds and black drum are schooled up in large numbers on the shallow flats, especially in areas where boats are prohibited. Try sight-casting to these fish, which are between 15 and 20 pounds, with live hand-picked shrimp. Down south near Grant and Sebastian, seatrout catches have been good for anglers fishing over seagrass in 2 to 3 feet of water. Small diving and twitching plugs, soft jerkbaits and live shrimp are working well.

From Todd @ Juno Bait & Tackle

It’s been on the slow side in Juno, a few pompano, lady fish and sharks, lots of sharks. There where a few king fish sky rocketing, but the anglers weren’t able to get baits out to them in time because of them being on the move. Jupiter inlet had a better bite of blue fish, some nice size fish where on the deck, cut bait, spoons, and diamond jigs where what was being used mostly, but if you had a cast net there was live bait -Greenies-. There also has been a few reds caught farther up in the inlet around the docks, bridges, sea walls, and mangroves. 

From Capt.Bob- Stuart

Fishing has been picking up in the St. Lucie Inlet lately. We are seeing an increase of

pompano and sheephead on the incoming tide. The water temps have heated up a bit which seems to

push the bluefish out. Back in December with several cold fronts hitting our area the water

temps were upper 50's to mid 60's which is ideal for the bluefish. The only problem is when the

water is this cold, sometimes all you see is bluefish, bluefish and more bluefish. Now with 70

degree water the pompano are moving in. Early incoming I like to start just inside the jetty

rocks and drift about even with the hole in the wall. As the clean, warmer water reaches the

crossroads and heads north up the Indian River, thats where you want to be. By the 3rd hour of

incoming, the south end of the sailfish flats cleans up and with the cleaner water come the

pompano. Late incoming (4th hour to high tide) the Stuart Causeway is a good bet bouncing

pompano jigs.
Outside along the beach the mackerel bite is still on. Just look for the boats south of

the inlet and you are in the zone. Many days the bite starts after 10am. The usual flashy lures

like minnow jigs, Joe's jigging spoons, clark spoons and tube lures work. When the bite is slow

try trollrites tipped with shrimp. You will increase bycatch with bluerunners and snappers along

with some mackerel.
Up the St. Lucie, Hell's Gate area has been hot and cold with some large mackerel over 3

pounds and a few pompano mixed in. The dime bridge is still holding some black drum to 6 pounds

and a few croaker. I have noticed an increase of pinfish around the bridge which I have not seen

in the past.
North of the Jensen Causeway in the Indian River, trout, ladyfish, pompano can be found

in 3-4 feet on the west side along with some flounder on the channel edge. I have heard reports

of redfish north of the powerlines on the east side but have not fished there myself.

Capt. Bob Bushholz

www.catch22fish.net

Whites Tackle @ Ft Pierce

Good morning, what can I say about the bluefish, they are every where and are feeding feverishly. They can be caught on spoons and cut bait in the surf and in the inlet as well as the turning basin. Perhaps the best run of bluefish in years. Monty Tabor fishing at the Sea Tern apartments told me if you get lucky and hook a snook, the bluefish schools surround the fish to try and get the bait from the snook. We are hearing that the pompano fishing has improved as well, along area beaches and back in the lagoon. Sand fleas, clams and shrimp are working well on the pompano and you might want to try one of those wacky spoons.

Sebastian Inlet Report

It's a wet morning at the inlet. We have a chance of showers through the rest of the day today, but we have a good forecast for the weekend with very little chance of rain and mild temperatures. The temperature will be cooling down a little, making for perfect fishing weather!

Yesterday morning a couple of Pompano were landed on jigs and early morning produced a Bluefish bite according to inlet regular Mike Ricciardi of Vero Beach. Mike fished the outgoing tide for about an hour before the Black Drum started hitting. Eight to ten Drum were landed between 11:30 and 1:00. Most were landed on clams and were in the 18" - 23" range. Thanks for the update Mike! 

The last two nights at slack tide the bite has been pretty good. Anglers who were free lining live shrimp had the best action with some real nice keeper Reds and Black Drum. 

From Scott@ White's Tackle - Ft Pierce

Inshore, our beaches and inlet are full of bluefish. They can be caught on any thing but spoons and gotchas are working well. Snook fishing on the south jetty has been productive at night using flair hawks. Trout fishing has been good at times. One angler reported some consistent trout action using a DOA deadly combo in recent days.

From Henry @ Snook Nook-Jensen Beach

Finally the weather man gave us a break, wind slowed the temps went up with the sun, perfect.  Off shore it has been two foot seas, surfs edge two ounces will hold and one could fish east or west side of the river, perfect.

                   >From the surf it has been Blues and more Blues, up close eating cut mullet, spoons, top water, and one would say if it moves they will bite. Plenty of big Whiting on shrimp and clams, if it is Pompano that is your target come on down.  Some accesses have been busy some not so busy but all report fish, best part is this is going all day.  At the Bath Tub is was an early bite for the Pompano and later for the Blues but you could switch times at different locations and come back to the Bath Tub later and find more Pompano.  Surf fishing has been out standing with the fish there all day, bring two rods and rig them for different species because as one leaves the others show, perfect, and don’t  forget the ice.

                  In the river it has been Blues, Pompano, Trout, Reds, big Sheep head and Drum, Flounder and I know I left out a few.  Trout and Reds, a good mix from north to south, fish a little later let the sun warm the river and cast a top water, slow retrieve and they will scoop it up.  9:am is plenty early,  if you have favored spot this is the week to visit, most Trout are over slot and the Reds are in the middle of the slot so bring the camera.  About an acre of Pompano tailing in the St. Lucie just north of Hells Gate and I am more than sure the Club Med area has just as many.  Strong runs at the Bridges and across the flats in the Indian River all using that Jig in an assortment of colors, plenty of Pompano and did mentions the Blues are fowling them.

Go Where The Fish Are

Fishing a little north has been pretty good, in Sebastian there has been a good flounder (12-15 caught fri. past)and pompano bite in the last 2 weeks. I got a few flounder off the south cat walk and  jetty (one was 25inches-7lbs) using live shrimp, finger mullet and flounder candy - “MUD MINNOWS”  . I went by Native Tackle in Sebastian and they had all the bait I wanted and told me about a few new spots to try. Fishing the baits on bottom is the key, use a short leader 5-7inches and just enough weight to keep it on bottom. I will also use a Capt. Joe’s Pompano jig with a longer leader 10-14inches for flounder the weighted jig allows you to cast out and drag your bait on the bottom and the colors will attract the fish, hooking a shrimp that way is a great way to fish for doormat flounder. If the current is strong put a sinker above the leader.

The Pompano bite is getting stronger. There where some nice size fish caught on the beach, sand fleas, shrimp, and  clams are being used. I would also throw Pompano jigs tipped with a piece of shrimp bouncing it off the bottom. The blues, drum and reds are still being caught but not like it was a few weeks ago.

   Ft. Pierce Jetty is also having a good flounder run, the tide is very important. Shrimp is the hot bait, blues, a few reds and pompano are also in the mix.

   Jensen anglers are catching reds on the flats, pompano are being jigged on the east side of the causeway (Capt. Joe’s Jigs @ Snook-Nook) a few flounder and trout every where.

From Scott@ White's Tackle - Ft Pierce

Inshore the redfish continue to bite although they have spread out and some of the larger schools have broken up.  The trout fishing has been good since last week with many fish in the 5 pound range (to the North).  Pompano fishing has been great from Ocean Village South to Jupiter.  Kadri and the gang caught plenty of snook and bluefish in the F.P. Inlet last night on out going tide. 

From Capt. Charlie @Fishing Center-Fort Pierce

We have enjoyed a much more normal winter lately.  Cool nights and nice days have allowed the water temperatures to remain in the 60's.  This time last year, we had that horrible winter storm that killed so many fish around the state.  Luckily, it hasn't been as bad so far this year.  A few more weeks and it will begin to warm up and transition into spring around the Treasure Coast.

Lots of fish have been biting all around the river.  Sea trout on the flats in three to five feet of water on live shrimp, I found a nice trout that was willing to hit a CAL jerk bait on the flats.  Deadly Combos and CAL jerk baits.  Redfish on the flats taking DOA shrimp or CAL jerk baits.  I was out earlier in the week and found a small school tailing in some shallows around one of the many sand bars of the river.  Hooking up on three, I got two to the boat before they moved on.  A CAL jerk bait in the Arkansas Glow color had them biting.

Sheephead, black drum and some snapper have been hanging around the bridges, docks and channel edges this month.  Live or dead shrimp has worked best on these fish.  Pompano have been taken around the jetties, beaches and on deeper flats in the river.  Doc's Goofy Jigs are the most popular lures for pompano, along with shrimp, clams or squid.  The surf has also held its share of whiting and bluefish.  The inlet has been full of blues, mackerel and jacks that are willing to take anything shiny.

With the winter being much more cooperative this year, the fishing has been outstanding in the river.  Get out and enjoy the water while the sun is keeping things much warmer.

Sebastian Inlet Report

What a difference a day makes. The action has picked up this morning and there are a few anglers out taking advantage of a Black Drum bite. Anglers using clams and live and dead shrimp have good luck with the Drum but they can also be taken on cut bait and squid pieces, they aren't super picky. Black Drum aren't usually avid lure chasers but slowly worked jigs in deeper waters have been known to produce a bite. Pompano and Blues are also making appearances this morning.

From Scott@ White's Tackle - Ft Pierce

Inshore slowed down a bit with the water temp dropping 8-10 degrees this week.  There are still plenty of reds and trout around.  Gulp baits seem to be working great fished on a weedless hook in shallow water.  There are still plenty of snook and some tarpon in the F.P. Inlet for those of you wanting to do some catch and release fishing.  The pompano fishing in Stuart is still out of control.  Get out there and get after it, looks like beautiful conditions for several days!!!!

From Scott@ White's Tackle - Ft Pierce

The pompano fishing on the beach to the South has been getting really good.  Some of the commercial guys have been catching over 100 head a day.  The redfishing is still silly in the Ft. Pierce area although they probably changed their patterns up due to last nights cold.  I spoke with a customer yesterday who has been catching plenty of trout on the power plant flats on D.O.A. shrimp and D.O.A. Cals.  He said most trout are in the 2-3 pound range with a few nice ones each day.  Remember to fish deep holes and cuts before the heat of the day and once things heat up get skinny, the fish will be warming up on dark bottom in SHALLOW water!

From Mike @ Native Tackle Supply-Sebastian

 SURF

Pompano, whiting, and bluefish have been steady for those fishing off the beaches. Pompano have been hitting more on cut live or frozen clams instead of sand fleas.  A double rigged Pompano Pro rig with a #1 Mustad Kaehle hook is a great setup for those using bait.  We rig up our own Pompano rigs here n the shop.   A ½ oz - ¾ oz Doc's Goofy jig has been a good bet for those fishing the beaches by boat or off the jetties. Those going after the Pompano have also reported some mixed Black Drum catches on the Pompano rigs using live clams. 

INLET

The bite has definitely slowed down at the inlet over the past week.   Most notably the Black Drum bite that was hot just a few weeks ago has slowed to just a few every day mainly on live clams or shrimp on a jig.  There are some Pompano around with the best bite coming on the first hour of incoming using live clams.  A few of the big slob Redfish that were around late last year started appearing again with several reds up to 40" being reported caught on small pinfish.  This latest cold front though may have pushed them south for the time being.  

  

Flounder has been hit or miss the past few days as the flounder have been moving in and out of the inlet.  Several nice sized, 6 - 8 pound, fish have been caught when the bite gets hot using live mud minnows or a good artificial choice is a Capt. Joe jig with pink stinger. 

INSHORE

Trout is in season and not in short supply with a real good bite just about anywhere in the river.  Live Shrimp or DOA Deadly Combo will be sure to land you a 15"+ fish.  We also like to use Fiji Chix or New Penny CAL Shads in our part of the Indian River.  The Redfish bite has slowed down the past few weeks with mainly small fish being caught.  The only slot sized Redfish reported have been north of the Wabasso Bridge, west side of the river, or in the Sebastian Inlet.  Mirrolure 17MR in Black / Gold / Chartreuse and DOA's Fiji Chix CAL have been a good wintertime artificial baits to use for both Redfish and Trout.  For those willing to make the trip there has been a good morning bite of Tarpon up in the north fork of the Sebastian River using top water plugs at sunrise. 

Slow But Getting Better

Got word there has been a few cobia at Juno Pier but its been hit or miss on them and everything else. Blues one day, pompano another, with a few macs, ocean perch, whiting and croaker mixed in.

Lake Worth has been quite also, some good fishing here and there. Nothing to grab my rods and go for.

 A fishing buddy who fishes the Ft Pierce jetty a lot has been getting some nice flounder up there, but being there on the right tide is the key.

I’ve been doing a lot of wade fishing at Hermans Bay, just north of the Jensen causeway and Snook-Nook Bait and Tackle. The last two times there I’ve caught...sheepshead, red and black drum and nice trout, the water has been cold but the bites have been on. The fish have been hanging around the docks there, you need to watch the tides, the water gets a little deep at high tide. I'm 6'5" and the water was just below my chest at about 10-15ft away from the docks at high tide, but there are a lot of high spots all around 

 Pompano have been caught off the beaches, but they are on the move up and down the coast

Sebastian Inlet Report

Temperatures have dropped and it's cold out on the jetties this morning. Winds are blowing out of the East at 18 mph which is making it feel much colder.

Yesterday the bite was slow. The morning incoming tide brought a few Black Drum bites to north jetty anglers but nothing in big numbers like we saw on Saturday. There were 8 or 9 good sized Drum that came over the rails yesterday. A Red that was over by 1" was returned to the water early morning. Undersized Pompano and Stingrays continue to plague the inlet fishermen.

From Scott @ Whites Tackle Ft Pierce

Inshore fishing has been good and plenty of action can be had.  I fished yesterday and we literally saw over 500 redfish.  Most fish were in the 22-27" range with a few tanks thrown in.  Trout fishing has still been really good to the South.  The larger trout seem to be in singles to the North from N. Bridge to Round Island.  The pompano fishing is starting to get right, both in the lagoon and on the beaches.  Small pink bucktails have been working great.

MY BAD !!!!!!!!!!

I want to make a correction on the last report......It came from   “Capt. Charlie @ Fishing Center Ft. Pierce”   Not Steve at Whites Tackle Ft Pierce. 

                                 

Sorry for the mix up  :-(

From Scott@ White's Tackle - Ft Pierce

The flats were not as active, but fishing docks provided the guys with lots of action and a good variety of fish, including jacks, drum, sheephead and bluefish.  We had a good week on the water!

Fishing CAL jerk baits or DOA shrimp on the flats can find trout when the water is back up into the mid to high 60's.  Deadly Combos are also excellent to find the trout on the flats.  Fish in two to five feet of water.  Bear Point, Harbor Branch and Round Island have all been productive.  Reports of redfish have been mostly north of Fort Pierce on the west shore using DOA shrimp or Gulp baits.  Docks have been loaded with sheephead, black drum and assorted species to keep you busy.  Live shrimp, TerrorEyz or DOA shrimp are all good choices around the docks.

The jetties and inlet have been full of bluefish most days.  Shiny lures and live shrimp have all worked well around those areas.  Lots of jacks and ladyfish have been all around the river lately.  Some pompano around the surf and jetties have provided some good meals for hungry anglers.  Bridges and catwalks are a great place to look for sheephead and black drum.

Keep your fingers crossed that we won't have more freezing weather this month.  The fishing has been great and mild conditions will keep the fish feeding.  It has been a great start of the new year!

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

Sebastian Inlet Report

Skies have cleared and it's going to be a beautiful day at the inlet. Winds are blowing out of the Northeast at 5 mph this morning and there is a light chop on the water. We expect to see higher winds this afternoon and over the weekend. 

Fishing has been mediocre this week, some nice fish have been landed but they've been sporadic. Tide changes have produced the best activity. Pompano, some large and some small, have been exciting anglers with some real nice runs off the north and south beaches. The Bluefish bite definitely slowed this week as did the Black Drum bite. Some good sized Black Drum were landed as you will see in a couple of today's photos but there were few and far between. A lot of pesky catches of Stingray and Catfish kept anglers busy while waiting for something for the table.

Sebastian Inlet Report

01-06-11 THURSDAY: POMPANO, BLUES AND BLACK DRUM 

It's rainy and windy at the inlet this morning. Winds are blowing out of the East at 16 mph and there are gusts up to 24 mph. Even with the higher winds, the water remains calm. We don't have a lot of folks out fishing in the weather today, but these kinds of days can bring on a good bite.

Fishing was pretty slow out on the north jetty yesterday. Anglers brought in undersized Pompano, Stingrays and one nice sized Black Drum. The afternoon tide change brought a decent Pompano and Bluefish bite. We've had some reports of a decent Pompano bite in the surf on the north and south beaches. 

Sebastian Inlet Report

It's another overcast morning at the inlet. Winds are blowing out of the Northeast at 4 mph and the water is very calm.

We received an update from Mike Ricciardi of Vero Beach who was out on the north jetty yesterday and reported a slow morning. A few Blues came over the rails, Diane Buyce of Melbourne landed one keeper Red and a lot of Stingrays were caught in the morning hours. Around noon, Black Drum started making an appearance on the outgoing tide. Around 20 Drum were landed between 12:00 - 2:00 p.m., another keeper Red and a catch and release Snook. Anglers were using clams and dead shrimp.

From Scott@ White's Tackle - Ft Pierce

Inshore has been getting better each day with the water warming.  We went from48 degree water to temps in the 60's.  The fish are definitely more active the last few days.  The redfish and trout are plentiful!  Redfishing has been good to the North of the bridges and the best rout bite has been South of the bridges.  There are plenty of bluefish and mackerels to shorten up your soft plastics, and the pompano started coming beck in the lagoon with these more tolerable water temps.

Sebastian Inlet Report

This morning winds are blowing out of the East at 6 mph and the water is nice and calm. It's a little overcast this morning but we expect those clouds to burn off and for it to become a real nice day.

Anglers continue to catch Blues, Black Drum, Sheepshead, Flounder, Reds and Pompano off the beaches and jetties. Some anglers may be getting two species confused as the Palometa and small Permit look nearly the same. The differences are subtle but the Palometa's fins are longer and their bodies are more diamond shaped. The yellow on the underside is nearer the mouth. The Palometa has no restrictions because they have no food value. We suggest throwing them back to be on the safe side, you wouldn't want to be fined for accidentally keeping an undersized Permit. It's always better to err on the side of caution. 

From Scott@ White's Tackle - Ft Pierce

Inshore has still been good but not as great as late last week.  There are still tons of redfish around although the big schools broke up.  Instead of seeing 50 in a group they broke up in two twos and threes.  Sometimes this makes them easier to catch so its not a bad thing.  The trout fishing is still really hot.  Many of the trout last week that were caught were in the 8 pound class.  Pompano fishing on the beach was good over the weekend so they should push up in the river soon.

From Henry @ Snook Nook -Jensen Beach

  Finally the wind stopped, the temps are going up and it is starting to feel like south Florida.  The ocean could settle a little more, the water temps need to rise but I am a patient person and tomorrow will be fine.

            Let’s start in the river, Trout season is open, those Pesky Trout now have a bag limit of four not less than 15” or more than 20”, one per angler can be over 20”.  Best part is they don’t know the season is open and the bite is on, flat south of the Dolphin Grill, north side of Nettles Island and north to Bear Point all report to many of all good size and the water is still cold.  Red’s in the mix and yes the Blues and Mac’s also have shown up on the catch list, soft plastic baits have out fish live baits, even the Blues like them. A few Pompano in the inlet and a few across the Sail Fish Flats, water has to get a few degrees warmer for this species but that is only one day away. 

           Surf anglers had all the Blues they could want and then more, early late, you pick the time and the favored bait was cut mullet.  Anglers were locating the fish then using spoons on the school, three to five pound fish excellent for the table. The bite was on from north to south up close and far out, action was on going.  Yes there were some Mac’s in the mix but the Blues were in control, some Whiting and Sheep head both good sizes when the Blues took a break, but it was Blue Fish.