To the angler who loves to fish the beaches, shores, jetties, bridges and piers of Florida.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
From Capt. Charlie @ Fishing Center - Ft Pierce
April comes to a close and I am looking forward as May brings beautiful weather and great fishing to the Treasure Coast. Summer did arrive early with some hot temperatures and lots of rain action around the area. It's obvious that the rainy season is here. Look for afternoon rains most any day as May brings us more sunshine and hot temperatures. The water has been mostly clear around the Fort Pierce area before the recent rains.
Fishing has been good around the area since the water has become more comfortable to the fish. Early mornings try top water lures on the grass flats for sea trout, redfish and snook. As the sun rises, switch to DOA shrimp or CAL jerk baits and try deeper pockets or drop offs on the moving tides. The trout bite has picked up along with the redfish and snook action. Bear Point, Round Island, Queen's Cove and Middle Cove have all been productive for nice size trout lately.
photo courtesy of Michael Collazo
Our redfish have come from under the mangroves along with several 27" snook recently. They are hanging under the shadow lines, so accuracy is critical to getting the bite. The inlet and turning basin has held tarpon, Spanish mackerel and jacks on the incoming tides. Snook season will close June 1st.
It's been hot this month and using sunscreen is essential to prevent sunburn. Summer arrived early and make sure you protect your skin when enjoying the fishing action around the area. It appears like its going to be a hot summer ahead!
Sebastian Inlet Report
04-30-15 THURSDAY: SLOW BITE
It's cloudy southwest of the inlet this morning and we have a good chance of rain throughout the day today. Winds are blowing out of the West at 5 mph, gusting to 9 and the water is calm. We expect the winds to increase this afternoon which could create choppier waters. NOAA has issued a small craft advisory for winds over the Gulf Stream this morning.
We have a bit of a cool down headed our way and you can feel it in the air this morning. The forecast is calling for temperatures in the low 80's over the next several days. Hopefully a little change in weather pattern will help shake up the bite. The bite has been slow from both jetties but folks fishing in the Indian and Sebastian Rivers have been having better luck.
It's cloudy southwest of the inlet this morning and we have a good chance of rain throughout the day today. Winds are blowing out of the West at 5 mph, gusting to 9 and the water is calm. We expect the winds to increase this afternoon which could create choppier waters. NOAA has issued a small craft advisory for winds over the Gulf Stream this morning.
We have a bit of a cool down headed our way and you can feel it in the air this morning. The forecast is calling for temperatures in the low 80's over the next several days. Hopefully a little change in weather pattern will help shake up the bite. The bite has been slow from both jetties but folks fishing in the Indian and Sebastian Rivers have been having better luck.
Palm Beach Report
INSHORE
Big jacks are being caught on the beaches of the Treasure Coast first thing in the morning. There are also plenty of whiting and croaker around.
There are a few snook in the surf, but your best bet is still targeting them inside the inlet or around bridges and docks in the Indian River.
Big snook and redfish are biting on the west side of the river (especially around docks) between County Line Road and Walton Road. Tarpon are also being caught around the bridges at night and in the early-morning hours.
There are big schools of jacks along the beaches of Jupiter and pompano are still being caught near the top of the tide. There are some snook around, and they seem to be holding throughout the day.
However, much like in the Treasure Coast, the best approach for hooking a snook is still working the bridges and dock lights (at night) of the Intracoastal Waterway, or inside the inlets. This goes for all anglers in central and southern Palm Beach County. Those fishing the inlets seem to be having the most success during the incoming tide.
Ladyfish and jacks are also being caught around the bridges, along with a few tarpon late at night.
FRESHWATER
The best bass fishing on Lake Okeechobee is still along the outside edges and back in the grass. With the temperature heating up, you want to be out on the water as early as possible — preferably before sunrise. While there are fish biting throughout the day, if you want good numbers, the window is getting smaller and smaller.
East Wall and West Wall are a couple hot spots for anglers targeting bass on the southern tip of the lake.
Live shiners are still working better than artificial lures at this time, but skilled anglers can have success either way. You will likely catch larger — and more — bass with shiners though.
courtesy of Palm Beach Post
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Using Floats for Bottom Fishing part2
Popping Corks
All floats, bobbers, balloons, corks, and bullets that are part of a fishing rig are designed to do the same two things. First, they are meant to position a bait or a lure in an exact spot in the water column. Floats can keep baits six inches under the surface or six inches off the bottom in 300’ of water. In this article we focus on using Popping Corks.
Popping corks have special concave tops that make a loud “Pop” in the water when they are retrieved correctly. They are especially popular (and effective) with anglers fishing shallow saltwater for a wide variety of species, but they work for amberjack in gulf waters too. They will work effectively for any fish that is looking up towards the surface. We have used them as floats with only occasional pops to attract fat largemouth bass to a shiner hanging three feet under the cork.
We never leave the house without a few in our tackle bag. Same with every serious angler we know. Many fishermen who never would use a live bait to catch a fish use them all the time with lures underneath them in place of bait.
How popping corks work.
A popping cork is connected to the leader or the line / leader connection. It can be positioned a few inches from the hooked bait or lure, or you can position it several feet above the bait. When you first cast the rig into the water and the bait gets a chance to sink, it will sit generally below the cork float. From that standpoint a popping cork is no different than a round red-and-white bobber like the one we use for the dot in our cool logo.
Split shot with popping corks.
Under ideal (relatively calm) conditions, the bait sinks and stays directly underneath the popping cork. In strong tidal flows however, the pull of the water will lift the bait and you will see it floating behind the cork. If that happens, put a little split-shot halfway down the line to the hook or even close to the hook. Use a weight only big enough to keep the bait down.
Note: There are times you will see the bait coming to the surface behind the cork. This is especially true when you’re using shrimp. Sometimes even the use of a split-shot will not keep the shrimp down because if he sees a big fish that is about to eat him, he will swim hard, so hard he will be seen popping around on the surface.
There are pre-rigged popping corks available, and corks that have clicker and beads and wires on them so you can make noise with them besides the pop. You should try to only buy corks that have a slit in them, so you do not have to tie two knots (one from the line to the cork and another from the cork to the hook). They work, but they require too much work.
This pre-rigged and wired cork works (above), but it is a pain to tie them. We love plain weighted popping corks with only a slit that lets us quickly wrap our line around them one time and get them into the water. The ones with black sticks in them are weighted, and the ones with green sticks in them are not weighted.
How to select a popping cork
The first thing you have to do is pick the right popping cork. They come in two different varieties and a range of different weights.
Weighted corks have lead or metal weights in the bottom. The un-weighted variety are lighter, but they do not cast well and do not sit upright, laying on their sides in windy conditions and not being easy to fish with. Use the weighted variety. You can find them pretty cheap. We usually buy a dozen at a time on Amazon.
Best baits and lures for popping corks
If you do a study, you will probably find that most anglers are using popping corks with live shrimp as their bait of choice. You can tail-hook them or you can hook them through their horns and put them behind a popping cork for trout, snook, or redfish. We have caught tarpon underneath a popping cork, and we have caught cobia on shrimp we floated underneath a popping cork to catch redfish with. All fish love shrimp and popping corks attract fish to them. A lot of anglers use corks to know if they (finally) got a fish to hit; we use popping corks as fish attractors. Since the shrimp is the food and smell source, the pop attracts fish and they discover the shrimp.
Popping corks work great with other baits besides the popular live shrimp. They work great as noise attractors for both redfish and snook, in addition to the speckled trout most often targeted with the rig. They work well when you are fishing with pinfish for redfish, scaled sardines for snook, or threadfin herring for tarpon. The more you use them and the more fish you catch on the other end of the pop, the more you will agree with us. We love them and feel that using them properly makes us better at catching fish. Grab a dozen today and go catch some popping, hopping and hungry gamefish!
Sebastian Inlet Report
04-28-15 TUESDAY: SLOW, VERY SLOW
We have a wet afternoon at the inlet. This afternoon winds are blowing out of the North-Northeast at 9 mph, gusting to 13 and the water is calm. The water could kick up later today with more rain headed our way.
This morning the rain held off for our jetty anglers until about 10:30 and then the rains drove off the few anglers that were out fishing. We wish there was more to report but the morning was pretty dismal as far as fishing goes. We spoke with Chuck Fischer of Satellite Beach who landed a 36" C/R Snook at 4:00 a.m., but nothing since. Tony Swiderski of Sebastian landed a 37" C/R Snook early yesterday morning but wasn't having any luck today. Jose Dore of Palm Bay has landed between 75 - 80 Snook this season and has only had three slot fish, almost all were oversized. Dick and Dot Kern were visiting from Inglewood and Dick landed a miniature Jack this morning. Dot said they fished yesterday and the only decent fish that was hooked up was a good sized Black Drum that broke off on the pilings. Unfortunately ladies and gentlemen, that is the fishing report for today.
Our photos today are courtesy of Ricky Locklear of Jacksonville. Ricky and his friend Markus Bruski, also of Jacksonville fished the north jetty and landed three oversized C/R Reds. They used pinfish, live mullet and pogies but the Reds would only hit the pogies. Photo one features Ricky with one of the Reds and photo two features Markus with one of the Reds.
Monday, April 27, 2015
Using Floats for Bottom Fishing part1
You would think – especially after reading all the stuff we have said about fishing with bobbers and floats – that you would not keep a float in your bag of offshore or deep-water tackle. If I am fishing in 90 feet of water and want my bait to sit five feet above the bottom, what good is a float with 85 feet of line hanging underneath it, you ask?
A cigar cork lets you slip a leader through the cork. Where you put it on the leader determines how far above the bottom your bait is positioned. This works best when you want the bait to stay in once place but not touch the bottom itself.
Nothing. The answer to using floats for bottom fishing is not in hanging a bait below the cork – it is about putting the cork above the weight that is holding it – and the hook and bait on the bottom. This illustration best shows you what we are talking about.
When to use Floats for Bottom Fishing
When I was talking to our SEO expert Donny, I brought up the fact that you can use a float on the bottom in a fish-finder rig. He was quick to remind me that that rig is their favorite – and the most effective – when they’re fishing for halibut in Alaska. The dying off of the season’s salmon up the long rivers brings the bodies – and massive amounts of protein – to the river mouths on the outflow. As the water pours out of the rivers, the halibut stack up and wait. Donny and his friends use these rigs to fish 90-100 feet of water at the first drop-off where the halibut are.
Rigging the Cork
The way these things work is simple – like any slip bobber, cigar floats like the ones we’re using for this method are actually sitting on top of the leader – it runs through it. They come with a piece of thread inside them. There is a loop outside one end and the two ends hanging out of the other. You put your leader through the loop before you tie on the hook, and pull it through. Then you tie on the hook and drop the rig where you think the fish are.
Species for Cigar Floats
Like we said, they’re used for halibut in Alaska, Rock bass on the west coast, and summer flounder – also called “Fluke” on the Jersey shore. We do not use them that often – or anglers in general do not use them that often – fishing the Gulf. But here more than anywhere the rigs are highly effective under the right circumstances.
When grouper fishing for example, anglers are told by the guides to “drop the bait till you feel it hit the bottom, then reel in about two feet.”
That’s all well and good and works very well. Keeping that bait two feet off the bottom will get you far more strikes from hungry grouper. Putting the bait directly on the bottom often results in getting stuck.
Cigar Floats And Bottom Fishing
Enter the cigar float. Put one two feet up the leader from where the lead (weight) is and guess what? The bait will be floating exactly 24 inches above the weight, and you will not have to reel up anything. Just sit and wait. Use circle hooks on the rig and when you feel the weight just start reeling.
Do not set the hook though. That will only result in your losing the fish as you slip the rig from his mouth.
Sebastian Inlet Report
04-27-15 MONDAY: JACKS, BLUES, SNOOK, REDS, SHEEPSHEAD, FLOUNDER, TROUT AND SNAPPER
We have overcast skies at the inlet this morning. Winds are blowing out of the West at 9 mph, gusting to 16 and the water is calm. The NOAA forecast is calling for the wind to change directions several times throughout the day today which could bring choppier waters.
Tommy Turwoski at the Sebastian Inlet Bait and Tackle Shop reported a good bite for large Jacks in the early morning hours over the weekend. A smattering of other species were landed including Snook, Reds, Sheepshead, Trout, Black Drum and Blues were all landed in small numbers. The south side has produced some mid-sized Flounder and Mangrove Snapper are starting to appear.
Our photos today are courtesy of inlet regular Jonathan Skinner. Jonathan and a buddy fished the north jetty and landed some catch and release beauties. Jonathan is featured in our first photo with a 40" C/R Red which was released unharmed right after the photo.
Photo two features Jonathan's friend with a large 32" Spotted Trout.
Our last photo today is of Jonathan with a 27" C/R Snook, so close!
From Whites Tackle - Ft Pierce / Stuart
Friday, April 24, 2015
Sebastian Inlet Report
04-24-15 FRIDAY: TGIF!
We have a lovely morning at the Sebastian Inlet. Winds are blowing out of the Northwest at 7 mph, gusting to 11 and there is a light chop on the water. We have no NOAA advisories this morning. We have a pretty good weekend in the forecast with a chance of showers.
We're seeing a lot of Snook in the water, getting them to bite is the trick. Tommy Turowski at the Sebastian Inlet Bait and Tackle Shop reported lots of them hanging around in spite of the noisy hammering coming from the D.O.T. bridge project. Florida Today sports writer Matt Badoloto reports that schools of menhaden are making their way south from Ponce Inlet and hopefully we'll see those appear at the inlet soon. A good variety but not many fish are being landed at the inlet including Sheepshead, a few Reds, Black Drum, Jacks, Blues, Ladyfish, Lookdowns and Trout. Flounder in the 2 - 3 lb. range have been active on the south side.
We have a lovely morning at the Sebastian Inlet. Winds are blowing out of the Northwest at 7 mph, gusting to 11 and there is a light chop on the water. We have no NOAA advisories this morning. We have a pretty good weekend in the forecast with a chance of showers.
We're seeing a lot of Snook in the water, getting them to bite is the trick. Tommy Turowski at the Sebastian Inlet Bait and Tackle Shop reported lots of them hanging around in spite of the noisy hammering coming from the D.O.T. bridge project. Florida Today sports writer Matt Badoloto reports that schools of menhaden are making their way south from Ponce Inlet and hopefully we'll see those appear at the inlet soon. A good variety but not many fish are being landed at the inlet including Sheepshead, a few Reds, Black Drum, Jacks, Blues, Ladyfish, Lookdowns and Trout. Flounder in the 2 - 3 lb. range have been active on the south side.
From Whites Tackle - Ft Pierce / Stuart
Inshore the snook fishing on the flats has been great with some nice fish around the mangrove islands and docks.There has been a few reds and trout around the Bear point area to Middle cove.The jetty in Ft Pierce and Sebastian has been steady at night with some nice snook and tarpon on the out going tide and some big reds in Sebastian jigs have produced well.
Photo courtesy of Lyd Le'Ng-Tactical Anglers
Photo courtesy of Lyd Le'Ng-Tactical Anglers
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Sebastian Inlet Report
04-23-15 THURSDAY: MIXED BAG OF SPECIES INCLUDING SNOOK, REDS, SHEEPSHEAD, JACKS, BLUES, LOOKDOWNS, BLACK DRUM, TROUT AND SHARKS
We have overcast skies over the inlet this morning. Winds are blowing out of the South-Southwest at 10 mph, gusting to 12 and the water is calm. There is a very good chance of showers and thunderstorms throughout the day today, be sure to go prepared if you head to the inlet.
Our angler of the day is Emily Brock of Rockledge. Emily landed the beautiful 35" C/R Snook in our first photo off the south beach using live mullet. She reported quite a bit of bait in the surf and she had a good day with a 33" C/R Red, four sharks, a smaller Snook and a Bluefish.
Photo two is of the 33" Redfish that was released unharmed right after the photo.
Photo three is of one of the friendly looking fellows landed by Emily Brock and crew. We believe this is either a Black Tip or a Spinner Shark.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
The Guide to Baitcasting Rods
Baitcasting rods are designed to be used with the reel situated so that it faces the angler (upward). The trigger-style grip is located below the reel seat and ensures control during casting and during the angler's skirmish with the fish. SEE BELOW:
Common terminology of baitcasting rods:
Blank -- The basic structure of the rod or its core composition, which is generally fiberglasss composite or carbon fiber.
Baitcasting Reel -- A specific kind of reel designed to be used in conjunction with a baitcasting rod. It is absolutely paramount that you match your baitcasting reel to the rod it is suited for and vice-versa!
Reel Seat -- fitting placed on the blank within the last 1/4 section of the rod that secures the baitcasting reel to the blank. Some of the more modern reel seat designs have a portion of the blank exposed which increases sensitivity, allowing the angler to feel any kind of bite or activity taking place on the other end of the line.
Taper -- The diameter of the base of the rod relative to the tip and often synonymous with its "Action".
Rod Butt -- Also known as "butt section", this refers to the part of the rod held closest to the body when fishing. This is the thickest and heaviest area on the baitcasting rod.
RodTip -- The opposite end of the rod blank from the butt section, this is where the tapered length of the baitcasting rod ends and the line (connected to the reel).
Guides -- Also known as "eyes", these ring-shaped implements run lengthwise up the blank to control the line coming off the baitcasting reel upwards to the rod tip. Guides are made of metal, although higher-end rods use titanium. The interior portion of the guide uses an insert made from a variety of high-tech materials to ensure that the fishing line runs smoothly through the guide. The guide may also be coated to create a smooth surface.
Grip -- Often made of cork or EVA foam, the grip protects the angler's hands and prevents the rod from slipping and transmitting sensation.
The modern baitcasting rod tapers from butt to tip with the numerous guides spaced lengthwise from the reel seat upwards. The guides on a baitcast rod are wrapped along an area known as the "backbone", which pertains to the rod's resistance when fighting fish.
A well-constructed rod will have carefully placed guides along the backbone, which will remain straight and not twist in either direction when a fish is hooked. Baitcasting rods vary in length from five to approximately eight feet (and sometimes longer). Shorter rods are best suited for quick, short casts into a confined area such as docks or around stumps, mangroves and pilings and the like. Generally these confined areas do not require long casts. They handle strong fish very well due to their stout construction. The most popular size is around 7'6", serving a mid-range and multi-purpose mission. The longest lengths are going to serve best for making longer casts with heavy tackle, to pursue strong fish.
About Rod Qualities
There are three major qualities that describe the capability of a baitcasting rod, and these are: Power, Action and Line Weight.
Action -- The action of a rod is determined by where a rod bends and / or flexes. Faster action rods flex mostly near the tip; moderate action rods flex near the mid-section; and slower action rods flex down into the butt section.
Line Weight -- Describes the tensile strength of the fishing line best suited to the flexibility and strength characteristics of the rod.
Casting distance is one of the important considerations of rod action, describing how fast it takes for the blank to return to the straightened, neutral position after being put under load. A 'slow' blank is going to flex in three-fourths of the total length and is a reference to its range of motion. In describing casting ability, the action of a rod pertains to its available energy; this quality is described as "rod loading." The more the rod loads, the greater casting ability it will offer.
Why use this kind of tackle?
Baitcasting rods use conventional style rods and reels, and are typically in the light and medium weight class. A versatile rod, it allows the angler to vary their casts from overhead to achieve more distance, or to flip or pitch underhand when working in close. As a result, baitcasting tends to produce a more accurate cast.
Most Popular Types:
Durability and affordability make fiberglass rods a popular choice. They are less sensitive than graphite counterparts. Fiberglass is a great choice when pursuing large fish that do not require casting or extreme sensitivity.
Graphite is the most popular modern blank material, enjoyed for its light weight, casting attributes and sensitivity. Graphite is the ultimate material for flexibility and fighting power. Graphite is a carbon-fiber blend; the quality of the finished product depends on the bonding agent and the amount of graphite used in the blend. The term "modulus rating" refers to the graphite's tensile strength, which is calculated by measuring how much it is elongated when a few million pounds of pressure per square inch are applied. Graphite with a higher modulus rating indicates that it will be less elastic and therefore, more rigid.
Top 10 Baitcasting Tips
- Allow about one foot of your rigged line out from the tip of the rod and grip the rod behind the reel with your thumb resting over the reel spool and turn the rod so the reel handles point vertically.
- Press the reel spool release button, and bend your casting arm. As you do so, raise your rod until its tip goes slightly past vertical.
- Sweep the rod forward until it reaches the "10 O'Clock" position. As you do so, lift your thumb off the reel-spool enough so that the weight of your bait or lure pulls line off the spool as it is propelled toward the target. Use your thumb to stop the bait when it reaches the target. Flipping is used to fish in confined areas with structure.
- Let out a small length of line and swing the lure away from you, allowing it to gently set down on the water.
- The rod should be parallel to the water and at a comfortable height, with the lure resting on the bottom and just a little slack in the line, generally as near to the bush or tree as possible. Shake or hop the lure for a second or two and repeat. Pay careful attention to the line as sometimes the bite is not obvious. Pitching requires more control, but when executed correctly enables long distance casting and the ability to land the lure in the water almost noiselessly.
- With the tip of the rod vertical, disengage the reel and let out enough line so the lure hangs down to the height of the reel.
- Holding the lure with your left hand, hold the butt of the rod up near your shoulder with the tip angled downward. Your left hand with the lure should be just about hanging down at your side.
- Release the lure and lift the rod tip at the same time so the lure accelerates through a downward swing toward your target. When the lure is traveling parallel to the surface of the water, allow the line to run off the spool.
- The lure should be just above the surface of the water when it reaches the bottom of the downward swing. If you time your release correctly the lure will continue traveling parallel to the water.
- Don't allow the line to go slack, you're not trying to throw the lure forward but swing it, and don't allow the lure to hit the water during the swing, you'll get a nasty backlash. With practice you'll be able to keep the bait just inches from the surface of the water, stop it exactly above the target and let it slip quietly into the water. Let line out as the bait falls through the water so it will drop straight down instead of swinging back toward you.
Fishing with This Tackle
The baitcasting rod and reel should complement one another. When selecting your gear, purchasing them together, or bring the component you already own to the store when you shop. The rod and reel should be balanced as good ergonomics are essential.
When fighting a fish, avoid bending the rod in too tight of an arc or it may break if your lure becomes snagged, point the rod at a horizontal level toward the lure and pull straight backwards. This angle lessens the chances of the rod breaking. When fighting or landing fish, keep your hands on or below the rod-grip, but never above it. The grip was designed to distribute the load and by placing your hand above thus creates a single pressure point, which could break the rod.
After a day of fishing in saltwater, be certain to rinse your gear with a gentle spray of fresh water. Wipe down the baitcasting rod with Lemon Pledge on a cloth diaper or paper towel to keep your investment looking good.
Looking Around
As nice as the weather, why not go to the surf. Conditions are perfect, Snook in the morning from before sun up, right at your feet. Cast a Bomber Sebile lure or Yozuri, Wind Cheater or any floater diver lure and hang on. Yes live bait will get them but a lure and a walk watching the sun rise makes for a great day. Most of these Snook are shorts but they will tire you quick. The best part is they are there and the next one might be in the slot.
Big Whiting and Croaker after sun up, again the weather has been perfect. A short time of sun on the beach will get the water warmed and if you are looking to take home a catch you are at the right spot. Anglers are all saying the biggest all year, I can taste them all ready.
Fishing the river after dark with the light from the bridges has put some big Snook to the camera. Most anglers have been fishing Flair Hawks, sliding them slowly across the bottom. Watch for moving water and pay attention
to the light lines, most will be well over the slot, release them as quickly as possible. Thirty pound braid and forty pound leader, fished from a stout rod is all that is needed and some luck and it is just that easy.
Black Drum at the Roosevelt bridge thats the reason for all the people, not that they are not at
the other bridges but the Roosevelt
has been out of control. Snapper on the falling tide, shrimp will find them, plenty of Jacks will keep you busy and the Lady Fish will keep you awake. Trout in the Power Plant area with a mix of Reds. the bite is early, summer fishing.
Sebastian Inlet Report
04-21-15 TUESDAY; SNOOK, REDS, JACKS, BLUES, POMPANO, FLOUNDER, LOOKDOWNS AND A COUPLE OF PERMIT
We have overcast skies at the inlet this morning. Winds are blowing out of the South at 5 mph, gusting to 8 and there the water is calm. We have rain and thunderstorms likely throughout the day today.
We are seeing a variety of species coming over the rails of the jetty's, from the beaches and the flats. Reds, Snook, Trout, a few Black Drum, Jacks, Blues, Pompano, Flounder, Permit, Lookdowns and Sharks have all been active but not as active as we'd like.
Our first photo today is Jim of Hilton Head, SC. Jim decided to give the T-Dock a try using a Rapala lure on slow retrieval to land this healthy Flounder. Jim also saw one following the lure in shallow water afterward, but couldn't get it to bite.
Photo two features brothers Wayne, Glen and David Rathburn of MA with a Bluefish they landed while all five brothers were in town visiting their Mom. Glen said this Blue looked like baitfish compared to some of the larger fish that were landed that day.
From Whites Tackle - Ft Pierce / Stuart
Monday, April 20, 2015
Sebastian Inlet Report
04-20-15 MONDAY: JACKS, BLUES, SNOOK, REDS, POMPANO, PERMIT AND FLOUNDER
We have overcast skies at the inlet this morning. Winds are blowing out of the Southwest at 5 mph, gusting to 8 and the water is calm. NOAA is calling for increased wind this afternoon and chance of showers and thunderstorms off and on today. We are seeing extreme tides due to the recent new moon.
The weekend was fair according to Tommy Turowski at the Sebastian Inlet Bait and Tackle Shop. There are a lot of Snook visible in the water but not many are cooperating. Jacks and Blues continue to dominate the catches with a few Reds, Pompano, Permit and Flounder finding their way to the inlet. We are still not seeing a lot of baitfish but rumor has it that Ponce Inlet to the north and Jupiter Inlet to the south both have been hot. We are seeing silver mullet, big greenies (threadfin herring) and mojarra but not in the kind of numbers we usually see this time of year.
From Henry & Fred @ Snook-Nook - Jensen Beach
Walking the beach and watching the sun come up is the best. Being a Snook fan now is the time. Fish are up close and hungry but watch your bite time, if you are watching the sun rise that is the time. Most are short, having a reason to be there is half the battle. This week we had a few runs of Pompano at the beach, no special time, no pattern they just were there. We had several reports from Hobe Sound about Pompano, early was the bite time but high tide sure brings them in. Bring the ice, plenty of big Whiting and Croaker to take home.
Fishing the river, it seems that we are getting a lot of calls about KAYAK anglers, please
have some kind lights on your boat, they will keep you from becoming that “speed bump”.
Enough about that lets catch a fish, Tarpon we are hearing a lot about Tarpon cursing the
bridges in the dark hours, big Tarpon. These fish will take your equipment home so pay attention. Good Trout bite with a mix of Reds and with all the pilchards there is plenty of
Jacks, Lady Fish, Snook and Tarpon to keep you busy. Fish early it is summer time or fish
the shaded water slowly you will have a busy day.
From Whites Tackle - Ft Pierce / Stuart
Friday, April 17, 2015
Sebastian Inlet Report
04-16-15 THURSDAY: JACKS, BLUES, LADYFISH AND A SCATTERED VARIETY OF SPECIES
THE TIP OF THE NORTH JETTY WILL BE CLOSED FRIDAY MORNING FOR REPAIRS ON THE WEATHER STATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
It's another beautiful day at the inlet. Winds are blowing out of the Northeast at 6 mph, gusting to 7 and the water is calm. We have no NOAA advisories this morning but we have a chance of showers and thunderstorms later today.
Fishing has been pretty much the same. We are seeing lots of Jacks, Blues and Ladyfish with a variety of species in ones and twos, just enough to keep our anglers curious as to when the spring bite will turn on. When the schools of bait fish start coming in, the predators will follow. In the meantime, patience is the key. With the weather being so great, just being outside enjoying our natural resources is a great way to spend the day or a few hours.
Our photo today is of Estefania Bustista who reported a single school of mullet making rounds around the jetty and other than Estefania's big Jack, a few Reds, Snook and Black Drum were pulled over the rails. She was using live mullet on the outgoing to land her fish.