From Capt Joe Ward @ Bait Shack - FT Pierce

The inshore fishing should be red hot in January if the weather conditions are good. This is the time of year when the cold fronts start coming south with all the low temps and strong north east winds causing a lot of headaches for anglers. But, it is time for the bluefish, Spanish mackerel, croakers and black drum to show up in full force. These fish will be coming in the mouth of the Ft. Pierce Inlet and working their way into the Turning Basin and both north and south in the river. On the nicer days try some of these tips - the redfish and trout will be in the deeper holes and channels around places like Harbor Branch and Queen's Cove to the north and to the south try places like Pete Stone Creek or Big Mud Creek. Try working a live shrimp on a 1/8 or a 1/4oz. jig head and fish it very slow if the water is cold. For some fun and maybe a fish dinner try fishing in the Ft. Pierce Inlet and the area between the bridges for some nice Spanish mackerel and bluefish. Your best results will probably come from using Gulfstream Flash Jig or a small spoon. Just look for the birds and the fish feeding on top. Remember - don't take more than you can eat because these fish don't freeze well and there should be plenty of them around all winter. 

For the bottom fish like black drum, sheepshead and croakers use a lice shrimp or a fiddler crab on a #2 hook and a 15 pound fluorocarbon leader with just enough weight to hold the bottom. Try places like the Drum Hole, Sand Pit or around the bridges. In the surf the pompano bite should be good for anglers using sand fleas or clams fished on a pompano rig. Try one kind of bait and each hook to see which one is working better that day. Just a reminder - Snook season is closed from December 15th until February 1st.