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Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

Penn Days are here!!! Bass Pro Shops on Gatlin Blvd in Port St Lucie is the location today, tomorrow , and Sunday. Paul will be there today and tomorrow from 10 to 6 to answer any questions you might have about any Penn product, local surf fishing, rigs, baits, or locations to fish. Pompano are starting to show and we are seeing mullet schools at certain locations 20% off all Penn products while supplies last. This type of discount program is a first for Penn so come early to insure you get the rod or reel you are looking for. 

From Todd &Trey @ Juno Bait -Juno Beach

INSHORE-  Snook fishing remains very good inshore right now.  The mullet continue to flow through and the snook are taking full advantage.  Look for the snook to be stacked up around the bridges at night.  Fish a moving tide for best results, and even though the fish are around and biting well; be prepared to put some time in to catch them.  Tarpon are also mixed in with the snook in decent numbers.  

SURF/PIER-  The Juno Beach Pier has had some pretty good fishing this week.  Slight change in the weather has some of our fall species starting to show.  Bluefish and pompano are biting at the pier in pretty good numbers, as are a fair number of redfish ad a few nice tripletail.  A Doc's goofy jig is a solid lure choice for all around action on the pier right now, as is a live shrimp on a jighead.  The tarpon are around mullet schools, but it does seem to be slowing down just a bit on them.  Snook action remains fair along the beach, but will begin to slow as more bluefish begin to show. 

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Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

Heres a quick reminder about the huge sale Penn is conducting next week on Friday -27th,Saturday-28th,and Sunday 29th. "Penn Days" is the name of the promotion and it is being held at all 12 Bass Pro Shops in Florida. Penn has never run an event like this and its very simple, 20% off on all Penn products !!! In addition, if you buy a stand alone reel you will receive up to 300 yards of the brand new Aqua Green Camo Spiderwire on that purchase. I highly recommend to come in early to make your purchases as there will be no rainchecks. It is "while supplies last".This pertains to getting your new reel spooled also so come in on Friday so you will not be disappointed. Penn is making every attempt to stock all of the stores with as much product as they can. Paul will be at my normal spot , BassPro Shops, Port St Lucie, on Friday and Saturday from 10 to 6 to answer any and all questions you might have about these fabulous products. 

Sebastian Inlet Report

LOTS OF KEEPER REDFISH AND SNOOK AROUND

The North Jetty is open again, but rough conditions have made the fishing at other spots within the inlet a better choice for all you anglers out there.  We’ve had significant E/NE winds and large swells that have made it challenging on both of the jetties.  Check our webcam for current weather conditions, live feed video, tide charts and more.

Try the T-dock and the North and South shoreline areas as alternatives.  Tommy at Sebastian Inlet Bait & Tackle has been seeing lots of keeper Redfish and Snook coming over the rails there.  Finger Mullet are starting to run so there’s good bait fish around for you to target Redfish and Snook.  Snook have been on the smaller size with some keepers mixed in, and anglers have been catching Jacks, Catfish and Blue Runners too.

Always remember to follow Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rules and regs.  You can find a copy of the 2019 Quick Guide here.  For Snook, your daily recreational bag limit is 1 per harvester, and it must be not less than 28″ or more than 32″.  You must have your FWC saltwater license (visit MyFWC.com for Snook permit details).  For Redfish, your limit is 2 per harvester in the NE Zone and 1 per harvester in the NW and S Zones.  Redfish must measure not less than 18″ or more than 27″.

Our angler of the week pictured here is Zach C. who caught this nice looking Redfish at the T-dock on the South side of Sebastian Inlet State Park.

From Whites Tackle - Ft Pierce / Stuart

The wind finally calmed down so hopefully we can have a better offshore report for ya in the next few days the water still a little dirty and not much bait around but the dolphin bite should be good. Inshore the mullet are starting to show up the snook and trout bite has been good around the bait schools around first light top water and swim baits have produced the best. The snook bite in the inlet has been good with a few reds mixed in on the outgoing on pins and pigfish. The trout bite has also been good on the outgoing tide with soft baits to the north around Harbor branch. 

Scouting Around Palm Beach And Martin County

INSHORE FISHING

The bridges in the Jensen Beach area have been great for snook in the early mornings the past few days. Throwing lures that resemble mullet has been extremely effective.

Around the power plant, there has been good action for trout and some redfish.

The trout are hitting live shrimp or D.O.A. shrimp on a popping cork.

Red fish are also hitting live shrimp or D.O.A. shrimp on a popping cork as well as dead bait.

In the Jupiter Inlet, there have been large schools of mullet moving through the inlet and the water along the beaches has begun to clean up.

Fishing at the Boynton Inlet the last few days has been off the hook!

They are getting mutton snapper up to eight pounds on live finger mullet and cut mullet.

They are also catching slot-size redfish.

There have been huge schools of snook with some fish in the 30-pound range.

Inside the inlet, on the south side, there have been some nice cubera snapper. One diver got a 33 pounder while spearfishing.

Working the beaches from Lake Worth down to Gulfstream Park, surf anglers are also getting in on the fantastic action.

Using big surf rods and locating the breaks in the sandbars, they are catching bluefish, snook, jack crevalle, pompano and permit.

Pompano and permit are being taken using small crabs and sand fleas.                            

The bluefish, snook and jack crevalle are being caught on mullet chunks, live finger mullet, chicken feather jigs and plugs that resemble finger mullet.

The best times have been slack high tide to three hours after.

Along the flats around Beer Can Island and Manalapan, there has been good action on snook. Working the channel edges and docks they are being caught on live mullet and X-Rap lures.

In that same area, the docks on the west side also have a decent bite on jack crevalle and redfish.

The Lantana Bridge is also a hot spot right now. Anglers are getting mutton snapper up to 27 inches on mullet chunks, live mullet and live shrimp.

They are also catching snook, redfish and a few black drum. The black drum are being caught on live crabs.

LAKE OKEECHOBEE

Though on Wednesday morning, one charter captain mentioned the fish were a bit finicky, he said the early morning has still been good. Using swim jigs and spinner baits and working the outside grasslines has been producing the best results. Once the morning bite starts to back off switch to a flippin’ stick.

J&S Canal, Tin House Cove and Indian Prairie have been hot spots the past week.

report courtesy of Palm Beach Post

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From Todd &Trey @ Juno Bait -Juno Beach

                                           photo courtesy of Chris Bishop@yozuri_lures                          

INSHORE-  Despite dirty water conditions throughout much of the local area, the mullet continue to push through and the fish are around.  Look for the mullet to be the most active and moving around during lowlight periods of the day and at night.  Snook will be the main predators around, mixed in will be a good number of tarpon and jacks as well.  Look for the snook to be hanging around bridges, boat docks seawalls, and other areas that they can use the tide to funnel the mullet to them.  The tarpon and jacks are not as specific and will more commonly be just following the schools of mullet.  No surprise here...Look for the predators to feed best on moving water.  Incoming or outgoing tide will push the mullet, and the predators will line up to take advantage of easy meals.   Try throwing Rapala X-Raps, Yo-Zuri Mag Darters, Flair Hawk style jigs, and bigger swimbaits around the mullet schools.  Fish around the edges of the mullet schools for best results.  If your fishing live mullet; also fish them around the edges or under the schools for best luck.  

SURF/PIER-  Rough conditions again for surf guys this week.  Water conditions are brutal, and conditions are not conducive to fishing.  Look for Jupiter and Palm Beach Inlet to be good alternatives to surf and pier fishing this week.  The mullet are around and plenty of stuff is around feeding on them.  Snook and tarpon are in the inlet, along with some bruiser jacks.  In between the brutal surf and dirty water conditions a few pompano reports are trickling in.  Hoping for some better weather soon...we need it! 

Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

Is it possible that our local marine forecast has predicted wave heights in single digits? The answer is yes!! Humberto is finally pulling away and starting Sunday waves are forecast to drop to 6 to 9 feet and Monday, 5 to 6 feet. I had some communication today with Ed Killer from TC Palm publications. Ed is the guru of everything pertaining to the outdoors here in South Florida and Eds statement was "this is the best surf for surfers in years".The surfers have had a good run but it is time for us fishermen to get a chance. Under normal conditions I would be complaining about these conditions but after this week this prediction is a welcome sight. There are still some tropical systems that we need to pay attention to but the weather people have the next storm, Jerry , making a turn to the north before it gets close to us. Lets hope that proves to be track it takes. The bottom line to all of these factors is with a little luck , the surf could become fishable next week. Pompano, tarpon, snook, spanish mackerel, whiting,croaker, jacks, and the first schools of bluefish could all be making an appearance. I talked to Brett Burford from Fishbites yesterday and he was on the beach in Jacksonville over the weekend and mullet schools were plentiful. Its been a tough late summer/early fall surf season so far and we deserve a break. Traditonally this time of year you usually have to decide what species you are planning on targeting and choose your gear and bait accordingly . Lets hope that kicks off very shortly.The date for Paul's first seminar of the season is confirmed for Oct 26 at 230 pm.at Bass Pro Shops in Port St Lucie. The main focus will be on early season Pompano but I plan on covering tackle, techniques, baits, and locations for alot of the other species I mentioned above. Additinally, Brett Burford and Billy Carr from Fishbites will be at the store that day also to do their annual Buy 2 bags-Get one Free promotion. This was a huge success last year so plan on attending the seminar and stocking up on their great baits. I will have an updated handout with lots of new information for all that attend the seminar. Lets hope we can talk about some great fishing action by the end of next week. 

From Whites Tackle - Ft Pierce / Stuart

Snook fishing in the Indian River has remained good, with fish caught around docks and deeper shorelines, DOA CAL jigs, Yo-Zuri suspending twitchbaits, and flies resembling mullet have all been effective. Redfish are still being caught along the shorelines on soft plastics and live bait. The inlets have been productive for Snook on mostly live bait, but also flare jigs and Hogy swimbaits. 
                     

Sebastian Inlet Report

     

It’s what you’ve all been waiting for…Snook season and Mullet for all you anglers out there!  Pleased be advised, the North Jetty at Sebastian Inlet State Park remains closed, but vendors are working on replacing the grates and Park officials hope to open it very soon.  That being said, there are plenty of places to drop a line on both the North and South sides of Sebastian Inlet State Park.  Check out the South Jetty and South shoreline, or the catwalk, tide pool area and North shoreline..

Direct from our friend Sarah at Sebastian Inlet Bait & Tackle… Anglers have been catching Snook on the South Jetty, early morning and at tide change.  There are plenty of mullet around to be had to use as bait fish, or the Snook are also biting on bucktail and top water lures.  The Fall Redfish run in on too.  Fisherman have been catching 18 to 20 inchers, and Sarah reported seeing a 24-inch Trout one angler brought in as well.

Always remember to follow Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rules and regs.  You can find a copy of the 2019 Quick Guide here.  For Snook, your daily recreational bag limit is 1 per harvester, and it must be not less than 28″ or more than 32″.  You must have your FWC saltwater license (visit MyFWC.com for Snook permit details).   Redfish must measure not less than 18″ or more than 27″.

A shout out to our angler of the week pictured here – our friend and inlet regular, Allan Noel – showing off a gorgeous Snook he caught.  Every Monday, we feature angler submitted photos with details of your fishing trip to Sebastian Inlet.                   

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Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

Just got back from some cautious optimism about throwing a few rods out and unfortunately I never took the rods off of the truck. Big swells and dirty water are the common factors from Fort Pierce Inlet to St Lucie Inlet. Randy started at Stuart Beach and ended up at Blue Heron looking for some fishable conditions and found none . I met him at Bathtub and took a quick look and went home .The forecast is for northwest and west winds through Monday and we might have a small window to throw some lines out.. We have certainly been lucky this storm season in avoiding direct hits but as everyone can see being on the fringe will create some tough surf fishing conditions . As the hurricane season moves on I am sure everyone would rather miss some days on the beach in lieu of major storm damage. We just have to deal with the conditions and understand every day that goes by we are 24 hours closer to the end of the storm season. The wind is supposed to switch to the north and northeast after Monday and seas are predicted to be up to 8 feet during that period . I wanted to let everyone know that Paul's first seminar of the season is tentatively scheduled for Saturday October 26th at Bass Pro in Port St Lucie at 230 pm. It also looks like Fishbites will be there also to do their annual Buy 2 bags - get one free promotion that was so successful last year. Once it is definite I will post it but this looks like the date. I also have some great information to report about an unbelievable promotion from Penn that will take place at Bass Pro Sept 27-28-29 . The details are 20 % offal Penn products and free Spiderwire spooling on stand alone reels- up to 300 yards. This is going to while supplies last so I would be there as early as you can as there will be no rain checks. I will be there on Friday and Saturday to answer any questions you might have about any Penn product you may be looking at . 20% off on any Longcast model we make can put you in the Pompano game immediately and at a fabulous price point. 

From Todd &Trey @ Juno Bait -Juno Beach

INSHORE-  The mullet run continues to take center stage on the inshore side of things.  Snook, tarpon, jacks, and even a few redfish are being caught inshore around the mullet schools.  For the most part the mullet are moving primarily at night, very early morning, and late afternoon.  A wide variety of lures will work around the mullet schools; including Zara Spooks, Rapala X-Raps, Yo-Zuri Mag Darters and Pencils, SpoolTek Swimbaits, and many more.  Of course fishing live mullet is also a good option.  Wether fishing lures or live mullet, best action typically comes while fishing the outside edges of the school or also fishing below the school.  Baits that become separated from the school are just easy pickings for lazy predators.  Fishing the bridges at night remains a good snook option as well.  With current water conditions(DIRTY!), both tides are working pretty equally.  The usual bridge jigs and swimbaits are all working well.  

SURF/PIER- The water remains very dirty along the beach, but still some decent reports coming in.  Despite the gross chocolate milk looking water the snook are biting, mainly around mullet schools.   Bigger mullet schools are holding the tarpon, though the past week has been tough to get on any real consistent numbers.  It's that time of year when we see a few redfish being caught.  The reds are in the inlets, along the beach, and even been a few at the pier.  Also at the pier in the dirty water has been a handful of triple tail.  Pompano bit for a day or two last week, but no reports of any numbers over the past few days to speak of.  

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Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

There has not been much to report on the pompano front since the storm due to off colored water at most locations. Stuart Beach had a brief shot of decent water late Saturday afternoon and I did receive a good report of pompano and a permit from Chris Battjer..I took a look on Sunday morning and the water had turned brown and the catfish were the only species I got any action from. On a positive note, there have been some schools of mullet working their way down the beach and surfers who were taking advantage of the persistent swells were sharing the water with lots of tarpon. The latest forecast has an increase in winds from the northeast through the weekend and a build up in waves to 6 feet. This might make things somewhat challenging for the pompano seekers but it should push more bait schools into our area. Tarpon, mackerel, jacks, and bluefish should be making a showing. Once we get some cleaner water and a subsiding surf the pompano, whiting, and croaker action could be pretty good. I will have some great news very shortly about seminars, Capt Paul rig availability, and a great sales promotion from Penn that will be running from Sept 27th to the 29th. I have received some calls and requests for the whiting and croaker and pompano rigs and as of yesterday Fred had some on the pegs at the Snook Nook. 

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From Todd &Trey @ Juno Bait -Juno Beach

                            

INSHORE-  After months of writing less than ideal reports inshore...things are changing!  The mullet are starting to show up inshore, and the fish are taking notice big time!  Snook, tarpon, jacks, and even the occasional redfish or two are around and actively feeding.   Look for the fish to be in and around the mullet schools, which typically are easier to find during lowlight periods of the day or at night.  If your using live mullet fish them on the outside edges of the school for best luck.  Lots of different lures work well; Rapala X-Raps, Yo-Zuri 3DS minnows, Daiwa SP Minnow, and a bunch of other ones will all get the job done.  If you don't find any schools of mullet, try areas with lots of good current flow and ambush points for predators to use.  In addition to the mullet coming inshore, snapper fishing will also be very good this week following the storm.  Lots of mangrove snapper around inshore right now!  Live shrimp is a solid bait choice for the inshore snapper.  

SURF/PIER-  Water has been a bit dirty on the beach, but the fish are around.  Fishing will only improve as the water continues to clear.  At the time of writing the Juno Beach Pier is closed, but should re-open within the next few days.  The mullet are starting to come down the beach and the predators are close behind.  The early season mullet run is the best for snook and tarpon, before the masses of bluefish really crash the party.  A wide variety of different swimming plugs will work well along the beach right now (YouTube Video to follow very shortly behind this report).  Lowlight periods of the day will be best for finding the most actively feeding fish along the beach.  In addition to the snook and tarpon; sharks, jacks, bluefish, and Spanish Mackerel will all be in and around the mullet schools.  Lots of good action right now...get after it!!!

Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

I haven't had a chance in the last couple of days to get up to the beach and see if the water is cleaning up. Looking at the wind forecast it appears as if we are going to get a shift this weekend to the east and southeast. The key to finding some fish the next few days will be the water color so if you are targeting some early season pompano,like I will be, look around at different beaches to get your best shot. The Jupiter Inlet webcam looks like that area had some decent color so I may give Hobe Sound a quick peek tomorrow. 

From Whites Tackle - Ft Pierce / Stuart

Good Evening, If anyone one has any supplies that they would like to donate they can drop stuff off at any of our 3 shops. Inshore the last few days has been good after the storm with some mullet starting to show up and high tides. The snook fishing around the bridges have been good with a few big fish around jigs and live bait have produced the best on the out going tide. The reds have been around to the north around Harbor Branch on soft baits and top waters around first light. The snapper bite around the bridges has been good with live bait and reports. The tarpon have been around the inlet on the outgoing tide. The weather looks like the weekend will be good so hopefully everyone will get a break and be able to get out Saturday. The Back country tournament is this Saturday and its snook season so good luck to everyone fishing.

From Capt. Charlie @Fishing Center-Fort Pierce

As Hurricane Dorian continues on its destructive path along the east coast,, we give thanks that we were spared the brunt of the storm. The water is churned up and will take a while to clear up again. Our neighbors in the Bahamas did not fare well and can use all the aid that we can give. Make sure you donate to one of the many charities that are helping get relief to the affected islands. 

August was another hot month! September will continue to be warm, but the fishing is always exciting. It’s a great time of year to target tarpon, snook and redfish around the Treasure Coast. Lots of bait has arrived to the area and the predators are chasing it both in the river and on the beach. Water temperatures will continue to be warm, it’s always best to fish early or late in the day. The fall mullet run begins this month and that will bring exciting action to the area. I love fishing in September! 

Snook season opens again on September 1st. Make sure you are prepared for the season and check your equipment. It’s always good to check your license and snook stamp, too. Live bait, DOA Terror Eyz and assorted other favorites used around jetties, bridges and sea walls can get you hooked up to that slot fish. 

Look for redfish around docks and mangroves this month. They like the shade these areas offer and you can get a nice redfish fishing live bait, DOA shrimp and CAL grub tails. The trout bite improved this year and you can find some nice fish around Bear Point, Harbor Branch or Round Island flats. Fish top water early and switch to DOA shrimp or CAL jerk baits as the sun warms up. 

Fish the bait schools! It's easy to spot the bait this time of year. If you don't find bait around your favorite fishing spot, you will most likely not find many fish there. Move around if you need to in order to find active bait. Fish love this time of year and they are out there gorging themselves on the bait in anticipation of the coming winter months. Water temperatures will begin to mellow out and will get back to normal.

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