To the angler who loves to fish the beaches, shores, jetties, bridges and piers of Florida.
Friday, March 29, 2013
From Whites Tackle - Ft Pierce
The inshore fishing was good yesterday with some nice Redfish to the north around Queens Cove and Harbor Branch D.O.A. CALS and Berkley Gulp have been the best bet.Trout fishing picked up with some nice fish in 3ft to 5ft of water south around Bear point live shrimp and Berkley Gulps have been working the best. Snook fishing was good during the day in the inlet on pigfish and pinfish on the out going tide,The south jetty has had some nice fish on jigs on both the incoming and outgoing tide.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
From Native Tackle - Sebastian
INSHORE
Small trout and snook around the spoil islands and mangrove shorelines using live shrimp, finger mullet or artificials. Sheepshead and black drum have been prominent around the docks and closer to the inlet using shrimp. The pompanobite picked up this past week under the Wabasso bridge using doc's goofy jigs. (The colors of choice are yellow in the G3 series, chart/white in the original series and pink and white has been popular also in the original series.) Reports of some nice keeper redfish on the flats on the East side of the river.
INLET
Over size redfish and snook being caught on live shrimp and bucktails. Blues, jacks, lots of lady fish, spanish mackerel, permit, pompano, snapper, black drum and sheepshead have been the bite at the inlet this past week. Like last week, the bite started slow then gradually picked up.
SURF
Blues, whiting, pompano, spanish mackerel, some snook and shark. Theblues and spanish are hitting spoons, the pompano and whiting are hitting doc's goofy jigs tipped w/clams and shirmp.
Sebastian Inlet Reporrt
03-28-13 THURSDAY: SPANISH MACKEREL, SHEEPSHEAD, BLACK DRUM, JACKS, BLUES AND SEA TROUT
This morning winds are blowing out of the Northwest at 6 mph and gusting to 10 and there is a light chop on the water. We are on our way to a nice warming trend and it should be a great day to get out and wet a line, temperatures are expected to reach the high 60's today.
Some real nice Sea Trout are being landed on the flats; a few Jacks, Blues and Sheepshead have been coming over the rails as well. The Snook bite has been more productive in the evening hours.
Diane Buyce of Melbourne reported the past two afternoons schools of Spanish Mackerel came through the inlet and the few people that were out, caught their limits! Of course, Diane stayed home those days because of the cold, which really made her squirm as they are her favorite!
Our angler of the day is Sean Strahlo who landed this nice 34" C/R Snook on a chartreuse and pink bucktail, from the south catwalk. The Snook was released unharmed after the photo.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
From Capt. Charlie @ Fishing Center - Ft Pierce
As March blows out of the area, you can still plan on some windy days ahead in April. The transition into the summer pattern is well under way and soon the winds will die down and you can enjoy those calm days of summer once again. Expect the fishing to be especially good this April as the water temperatures have remained warmer this year and the fish have been active all winter. March was a little cooler, but the water is warming back up to suit the fish. As the river fills with bait schools, you can bet the fish are hungry and will be feeding heavily. Have fun!
Redfish and trout will be active around the flats. They will be shallow early and gradually move to the edges of the flats as the sun get higher in the sky. Look to areas like Bear Point, Harbor Branch and Round Island for trout to be feeding on the flats. On a calm morning, break out the top water lures and switch to jerk baits, like a DOA CAL 4” Arkansas Glow or Watermelon. Shallow running Mirrolures will also entice the trout into biting. Don’t forget to use the Deadly Combo or new Airhead for more exciting trout action on the grass flats. There has been a lot of redfish activity throughout March and it should make April a fantastic month. Redfish can be found on sandy flats around the docks or try the Moorings and Bear Point for a chance at a nice size red. DOA shrimp or CAL grub tails in root beer or glow colors are great ways to find a redfish along with a trusty gold spoon.
The snook season has many anglers out seeking that slot fish this year. The bite has been good around the inlets and will improve on the flats as well. Snook season will close May 1st so you have this month to find that slot fish. Docks will hold sheephead, jacks, redfish and many other species. I like either a DOA shrimp or TerrorEyz around docks. Fish them slowly to keep them under the dock as long as possible. Drop a live shrimp or pinfish under a dock as well for a great chance at hooking up. There are many great areas to fish so plan on getting some fishing in this month.
Bridges will continue to hold sheephead, jacks, bluefish and some black drum. The big jacks will be invading the river this month. They are not great to eat, but provide a tough battle on light tackle. Ladyfish will be all over the river and keep the kids smiling. The inlet will continue to hold bluefish, jacks and mackerel. While April might be a little windy, it is a great month to fish the Indian River.
April is the first month that fish can enjoy all the many baitfish schools and they will be feeding heavily on the schools around the flats. The water has already been warming up and you can see the changes in the bite already. Early morning can bring lots of good results this time of year. It was a mild winter this year and the fish are anxious to enjoy some warmer weather…..and so are we!
Sebastian Inlet Report
It's another chilly morning at the inlet. Winds are blowing out of the North-Northwest at 12 mph and gusting to 18. A small craft advisory is in effect until 11:00 for the Gulf Stream and small craft should exercise caution elsewhere.
There's not a whole lot to report, the cool weather has kept many anglers off the jetties, but a few have been out. Tommy Turowski at the Sebastian Inlet Bait and Tackle reported that some nice Sea Trout and Sheepshead have made appearances, but with so few people out, that's all he's heard.
Our angler of the day is Dave Bazinet of Coventry, CT who landed this beautiful 22" Pompano on the south beach using clams.
From Whites Tackle - Ft Pierce
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
A Good Class
Sebastian Inlet Report
03-26-13 TUESDAY: SHEEPSHEAD, BLACK DRUM, JACKS, BLUES, SNOOK AND SEA TROUT
We have a chilly morning at the inlet today. It is 51 degrees but when you add in the wind chill factor, it feels like 45. Winds are blowing out of the North-Northwest at 12 mph and gusting to 19. There is a moderate chop on the water and a small craft advisory is in effect through this afternoon.
There are not a lot of people out braving the elements, but there have been a few Black Drum, Sheepshead, Jacks and Blues in small numbers. Snook have been a little more active in the evening hours and there have been some good sized Sea Trout being landed on the flats.
Our angler of the day is Dan Gerdes of Coral Springs This nice 33" C/R Snook was Dan's first time at Sebastian, the first time he's fished from a jetty and his first Snook, ever! Talk about luck, he should have played the lottery that night, too. Dan landed the Snook on an Unfair Lure Stickminnow.
Monday, March 25, 2013
From Henry @ Snook-Nook - Jensen Beach
Finally three days with out a jacket, now lets work on this wind, I am ready for summer. Yes, I want that warm quiet surf even if I can’t catch a Pompano. Finally this week we had Pompano on the beach, no special time they were just in and eating. Had anglers reporting catch's in the mid morning thru late afternoon, from the long cast anglers to the guys that fish up close they caught Pompano. Clams and sand fleas were the favorites with every one taking home three or four and that is a lot better than the week before. Blue fish were with us till late afternoon and the Whiting allday, only heard of one Snook but summer is coming, lets hope for next week.Anglers drifting around in the Inlet found plenty of big Mac’s with a mix of Blues and yes a few Pompano. Cut bait on a 3/0 long shank hook sure caught a bunch of the toothy critters, no need to go out of the Inlet if the Macs were your target there was plenty right there. Every anglers commented on the activity in the Inlet, it was solid Macs thru the day. River was run over by the Mac’s, Roosevelt bridge, marker 19#, the Causeways on north to the Power plant and beyond, lots of Macs. The fish moved in waves, you could see them coming, jumping and swirling and eating every thing in sight. If it moved or flashed they were on it, that flash minnow jig, got-cha, small spoons and cut baits took their toll. These were big Mac’s anglers all commented on their size, four were plenty. Trout bite was good all week with most in the slot using suspending lures then the Mac’s showed up. Reds made a good show early again till the Mac’s came through. Sheep head and Drum at the causeways again till the Mac’s came through and if the Pompano wanted to show which they did the Mac’s run them off also, lots of Macs no mater where you were fishing. Only solution was to move because that is what all the fish did, get out of their way. This week should be a good week for Snook, after the cold turned them off this warmer temps will wake them up. It has been a week of slow fishing for the line siders and it is time for them to eat, pick abridge after sun down and please do not bring a knife to a gun fight.
Sebastian Inlet Report
Winds are blowing out of the North-Northwest at 10 mph this morning and the water is choppy. Small craft should exercise caution.
Sheepshead, Black Drum, Bluefish, Jacks and Snook were the prevalent catches over the weekend.
Photo one is of Michel Fontain of Ashville, NC with a nice 26" Black Drum. Mike reported 8 - 10 slot sized Drum were landed on shrimp and clams.
Photo two is of Mike who got his limit of 5 and is posing with three of them.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Sebastian Inlet Report
03-22-13 FRIDAY: SLOW BITE INSHORE, A FEW BLACK DRUM AND SHEEPSHEAD
We have a mix of sun and clouds over the inlet this morning. It's a little chilly, but expected to warm up nicely today. Winds are blowing out of the North at 5 mph and there is a light to moderate chop on the water. It looks as if Saturday may be ok for boating, but by Sunday it will be blown out. Always check the coastal forecast prior to venturing offshore.
We spoke with Mike Ricciardi of Vero Beach who was out on the north jetty and reported a slow start to the day. 6 - 8 undersized Sheepshead, around 10", were caught and returned to the water and one slot sized Black Drum have been landed this morning. That's it, so far! Wednesday was a better day according to Mike, the Black Drum bite was strong and he limited out.
We have a mix of sun and clouds over the inlet this morning. It's a little chilly, but expected to warm up nicely today. Winds are blowing out of the North at 5 mph and there is a light to moderate chop on the water. It looks as if Saturday may be ok for boating, but by Sunday it will be blown out. Always check the coastal forecast prior to venturing offshore.
We spoke with Mike Ricciardi of Vero Beach who was out on the north jetty and reported a slow start to the day. 6 - 8 undersized Sheepshead, around 10", were caught and returned to the water and one slot sized Black Drum have been landed this morning. That's it, so far! Wednesday was a better day according to Mike, the Black Drum bite was strong and he limited out.
From Capt. Charlie @ Fishing Center - Ft Pierce
Our trout bite picked up this past week as water temps warmed up to their liking. Look to sand bars and flats that are two to five feet in depth to find some good sized sea trout. DOA shrimp, Deadly Combos, top water or live bait are all good ways to fish these areas for trout. The redfish bite has been good most days around the mangroves when the water has been in the upper 60's. CAL grubs, DOA shrimp and live baits can give you a good battle under the mangroves this time of year. Snook fishing has been best around the jetties recently and should pick up soon for anglers. The pompano have been scarce for us in the river. There are some out there, but it hasn't been the best bite for them of late. Sheepshead and black drum continue to hang under docks and bridges for anglers. The power lines at the power plant have been active with them as well.
You can find mackerel and jacks around the inlets areas of the river by using small shiny lures. Beach anglers continue to catch whiting and occasional pompano along the surf. Ladyfish and jacks are everywhere as usual this time of year. April promises to be a super month for fishing. Expect more windy days ahead, but milder temperatures. I think I can finally pack those sweats and long johns away for this year. It's been a good winter, but I am certainly ready for Spring. Have fun and enjoy the fishing!
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Sebastian Inlet Report
03-21-13 THURSDAY: SHEEPSHEAD, BLACK DRUM, BLUES, JACKS, REDS AND SEA TROUT
Things cooled down over night last night and it's pretty chilly on the jetties this morning. Winds are blowing out of the North-Northwest at 12 mph and gusting to 17. Small craft should exercise caution.
Sheepshead and Black Drum are still the most prevalent bite off the jetties. A nice school of Reds will make an appearance now and again and Jacks and Blues are being caught as well. Smaller Flounder and some good sized Sea Trout are being caught in the inlet and on the flats.
Our angler of the day is Matthew Turnmeyer of Melbourne. Matthew and his buddy Kevin Ferris were fishing the north beach on Tuesday when this bad boy hit a chunk of bonito. Matthew reported it took an hour to bring this heavy Bull Shark to the beach; it was one of the biggest thrills of his life! After the photo and with the help of Kevin, Matthew released the Shark unharmed.
From Whites Tackle - Ft Pierce
Inshore fishing was ok with some nice redfish to the north and a few trout and pompano mixed in.The snook fishing was slow last night at the jetty, The inlet has been the best drifting live bait on the outgoing tide.
From Native Tackle - Sebastian
INSHORE
The trout and redfish have been active in the flats, mangroves and shorelines! Theblack drum, sheepshead and small snapper are still prominent around the docks and bridges. The anglers fishing the docks have seen the snook stacked up but the bite hasn't been that great. The pompano bite turned on in Wabasso this past week, jig with Doc's goofy Jigs. The Sebastian river has proven this past week for some good tarpon action.
INLET
Fishing the inlet started off slow but ended with a bang this past week. Redfishand snook being caught on a outgoing tide using live bait or jigs. Nice size troutare being caught early morning and along with the trout, sheepshead and black drum were caught using frozen shrimp or clams. The jacks, blues and themackerel have been hitting spoons and there was a few permit caught as well. The pompano bite has been slow but a few anglers pulled in some nice size ones.
SURF
Anglers were having some luck with the pompano but mostly they have been reeling in whiting, and sheepshead. The sharks are here, lots of spinner sharksand black tips. A lot of anglers have been broken off reeling in their catch just to lose it to sharks.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Sebastian Inlet Report
03-20-13 WEDNESDAY: BLACK DRUM, REDS, SHEEPSHEAD, JACKS, BLUES AND A FEW SNOOK
We have overcast skies at the inlet this morning. Winds are barely moving out of the South and gusting to 3 mph. The water is calm this morning, but we can expect to see the winds pick up as the day goes along with potential rains.
Word has it that yesterday the Black Drum and Red Drum bite went off in the early morning hours. Sheepshead, Blues, Jacks are also coming over the rails of the jetties. The Snook bite has been better during low light periods.
From Henry @ Snook-Nook - Jensen Beach
Finally the high seas have settled and the white surf is giving way to the blue water. Finally we can go to the surf edge and catch a fish, Blues, Jacks, Whiting and a few Pompano. Not sure where the Pompano went this year but the conditions were not favorable for the species. Even the Blues were not as strong as in the previous season again the water was warm and then when the temps were favorable the seas kept anglers from the edge. Not sure what the plans are for the beach but when the crew starts pumping the sand in Martin County it may be time to check out the access in St Lucie County, turbid water will not be favorable. So the Blues have finally made a good showing, cut baits are best, still not enough for a spoon, cut bait the smell will help them locate the bait, spoons they will have to see. Whiting are back in the trough and a piece of shrimp will locate them quickly, late morning preferred. Now about those Pompano, a few here and there but enough to say a location or time but the two that you put on the beach will be of good size, mother nature taking care of her crew. River settled down quickly and still waiting for the Pompano, looks like we may wait till next season. A few here and a few there with most being dark in color tells me these are our resident fish, no special time, from boat or bridge you just had to be there. Trout bite has been excellent with a lot of fish in the top of the slot, the cool thing is the bite time has been mid morning, suspending baits is the answer. More Reds this week as anglers were able to fish the west side of our river, work those long docks from shallow to deep, shrimp and jigs caught them. Snook bite was so, so nothing special, these fish were still cold from last week. if Snook is the target wait for the sun towarm the shallow water and look there. Yes the dark hour is the hour but these fish like it warm and they will move from deep to shallow to find their comfort zone.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Sebastian Inlet Report
03-19-13 TUESDAY: SLOW BITE INSHORE, OFFSHORE HAS BEEN BETTER!
We have some clouds over the inlet this morning and there is a possibility of rain today, so if you head to the inlet go prepared. Winds are blowing out of the West-Northwest at 4 mph and the water is calm.
We received several updates. Our first was from north jetty regular, Mike Ricciardi of Vero Beach who fished yesterday morning. Mike reported 8 - 10 people fishing for Snook who went home without even a hook-up. Two notable fish were landed, other than the usual Jacks and Blues, Dave Lectric hooked up with a real nice Sea Trout before daylight using a surface lure, approximately 26" - 28" and 5 - 6 lbs. Bill Scott of Vermont landed a nice Pompano and is featured in our first photo today.
Inlet regular Mike Misserville wrote in to let us know that he landed a 28" Sea Trout on Sunday and that FWC was patrolling and busted people with undersized Snapper, undersized Sheepshead and a 23" Snook. Come on people, stupidity or ignorance of the regulations garners no sympathy with us or with any of our sportsmen who follow the rules. Abide by the rules and regulations! Those regulations are in place for a purpose. You need a fishing license, you can make a copy of the FWC rules and regulations that are on the top of this page and take a tape measure with you! There is no excuse.
No Go No Fish
I didn't go wading last Saturday. So my "boys" showed me what I missed !
Balls Deep Fishing Team
From Whites Tackle - Ft Pierce
The inshore fishing was good yesterday with some nice trout and snook on the flats to the north on live bait and soft baits D.O.A cals in the Melon Back and Berkley Gulp in the Sugar Spice Glow are the best bet. The snook fishing on the jetty has been good at night on jigs and live bait on the outgoing tide. We just got the new D.O.A cal Airheads in its a great new bait for snook and trout.
“Flair Hawk 101″
“Flair Hawk"
By: Eric Gates
Nylon jigs, there are as many ways to fish them as there are different styles and colors. No matter how you like to fish them, the fact remains they catch BIG fish. Let’s focus on flairhawks for BIG snook. For something as simple as a leadhead with some nylon tied to it there is a lot to consider when choosing the right jig for the right situation.
Color
We’re going to keep this very simple, if you’re fishing in a river around a bridge or an outgoing tide at an inlet use a chartreuse jig. If you are fishing on the beach or in clear water conditions use a jig with white nylon, preferably with a little sheen. Snook will hit a jig based on profile and action more than color, but for those who want to complicate things, your jig should blend into its surroundings and stand out all at the same time.
Jig Styles
The two most common flairhawk jig styles are the skimmer jig and the bullet style jighead. Both work well in most situations, however snook hit based on profile and action so there are some things to consider. Are the snook feeding on finger mullet or some type of bait with a narrow profile? If they are, a jig with a narrow profile is what you want to use. If they are feeding on croaker or something with a larger profile, a jig with more flair and a larger profile is the way to go. When the snook are feeding on crabs you want to bang the bottom with a skimmer style jighead.
Weight
Perhaps the most important factor in choosing which jig to pull out of the box. Snook hit based on profile and action, but a snook won’t hit what it can’t see. Put the jig in the strike zone and your odds of catching a snook goes up three fold. There is a definite learning curve here and you will lose jigs in the process, but getting the jig at the right depth and location at the right time is the big secret to jig fishing. There is an up side to hanging up on the bottom…when you find the hang-ups there is a good chance you have found where the snook are hanging out. Present the jig properly around these hang-ups and the snags turn into big snook!
Monday, March 18, 2013
DOA
As you "MAY" have notice on my site, I'm a big fan of DOA lures. Not because they give me lures because I share their info. on my site, but because they WORK. They are the simplest lure with so many ways to fish them. I've used alot of lures but DOA has been my #1 lure for a while..........
Sebastian Inlet Report
We have a mix of sun and clouds over the inlet this morning. Winds are blowing out of the South at 7 mph and the water has a light to moderate chop on the water.
Over the weekend, there were a variety of species landed, but again, nothing in large numbers. Sheepshead remain the best bet around structures. If you are targeting Sheepshead, they love to hang out around the jetty and catwalk pilings, foraging for small crustaceans. Small crabs are a favorite, along with sand fleas, clams and shrimp. Tommy Turwoski at the Sebastian Inlet Bait and Tackle reported on Saturday a few huge Black Drum came over the rails of the north jetty, weighing around 40 lbs.! A smattering of Blues, Snook, smaller Flounder, Reds and Sea Trout were landed as well.
Inlet regular Mike Misserville, who reported the Snook bite turned on around 7:00 p.m. Friday until around 8:30. Mike landed a nice 30.5" keeper using shrimp.
Photo is of Justin Werner of Palm Bay who landed this nice 31" slot Snook.
From Capt Joe Ward @ Bait Shack - FT Pierce
photo courtsey of Chris and Balls Deep Fishing Team
The inshore fishing has been good on the few days that we had with not so much wind. The hot spots for trout have been at places like Jack Island, Queen's Cove and Round Island. Live pilchards have been the best bait for the gator trout to 9 pounds. For the redfish you will want to look at the docks along South Indian River Dr. Try using a live shrimp on a 1/4 oz. trol-rite around the docks. If it is snook you are looking for try drifting a live bait in the Ft. Pierce Inlet on the tide change. Bottom fishing has been a little off due to the cold water temps but, there has been plenty of sheepshead around most inshore structures. Try a live shrimp or a crab - these have been the best baits to use.