From Capt. Charlie @ Fishing Center - Ft Pierc

The weather patterns are slowly changing into fall. Look for milder temperatures and less rainfall as we get into September. Luckily, the rainfall has slowed and at least the Fort Pierce area is gradually getting back to normal. I get calls each day asking where can I fish safely. Most people are avoiding the Stuart/Jensen Beach area for now. Fort Pierce has held up well and the fishing has been good. The Saint Lucie River and Stuart area are still being flooded with fresh water from Lake Okeechobee and that will be a while for things to improve there. While the rainy season is about over, the problems in the Saint Lucie River are far from that. Businesses around the area are feeling the strain from the toxic waters in the Saint Lucie River. Charter boats, tackle shops and beach rentals are just a few of the locals that are being affected in the Stuart area. More and more anglers are fishing the Fort Pierce area now. My wife, Eva, and I attended one of the rallies recently at the St. Lucie Locks in support of cleaning up our waterways. There continues to be growing support for action and the momentum is in our favor. Check out on Facebook for groups like the Rivers Coalition, Save the Saint Lucie River or Citizens for Clean Water. There are a number of other support groups popping up and lots of activities planned, so get on board and get involved in saving the Saint Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon!

Fishing in the Fort Pierce area has improved greatly since the rains have slowed. The water has cleaned up nicely and gets better each day. Fortunately, we aren't dealing in all the Okeechobee water up there.
The trout bite has been somewhat slower lately, so we have been looking for redfish, snook, snapper and other fish. The redfish have started schooling up on the flats and if you are reading the water, you might just find some. September is always a great month to look for reds on the flats. Top water lures, DOA shrimp, CAL Airheads or live bait can all help you get hooked up on an upper slot redfish this time of year.

                                                                                               photo courtesy of DOA Lures

We are finding both reds and snook hanging under the mangroves and hungry to feed. Work under the shadow lines to find where they are hiding. Look for lots of snapper along the channel edges and docks this month. You can also find some sheepshead in those areas. The inlet continues to have jacks, blue runners and other hungry fish feeding on the glass minnows. Along the beach you should find snook, tarpon and jacks feeding on the bait schools. The fall mullet run is about to take off and if brings in lots of hungry predators to the area. September will be a very productive month on the Treasure Coast.

Keep posted on the quality of the waters in our area by checking TCPalm.com daily and get involved. They have been very active and vocal to get things changed to improve our waterways!