Scouting Around Palm Beach And Martin County

 

Inshore:

Though the fishing has been much slower in the St. Lucie and Indian Rivers with the cold weather the past week, there are some options. 

The snook bite can be good along the bridges. The northwest wind will cause a lot of bait to congregate in those areas and the snook are more than ready to take advantage. Try a Gulfstream Flair Hawk or any large profile swimbait like a Hogy or Storm.

Also along the bridges there is still a decent sheepshead bite. Shrimp or frozen sandfleas on a jig head have been working.

As the weather warms up on Friday and Saturday, there could be some nice action along the Sailfish Flats and the flats up near the power plant. Species that will likely be worth targeting will include pompano, mangrove snapper and bluefish. They will be hungry.

There has been a nice bite for Spanish mackerel around the Peck's Lake area and that should pick back up as the weather warms.

Like areas to the north, if you're looking for snook in the Jupiter area target the bridges. Not only does the deeper water provide them some respite from the cold, the concrete pilings will hold heat and make the area a bit warmer. If you're fishing a lure, remember to use a slower retrieve as the fish are a bit sluggish and it might take them an extra second to realize "Hey, I want that."

Though the fishing the past few days around the Boynton Inlet has been really slow with the cold weather, anglers should be ready for some decent sheepshead action when the weather warms on Friday and Saturday. Working the incoming tide around any of the area inlets should be the best time.

Lake Okeechobee:

With the strong northwest winds the past few days it's been difficult, if not even a bit dangerous, to get out on the lake.

Also, with the cold weather the bass bite has been slow on the lake.

The crappie bite, however, has been excellent. The key has been to find wind-protected areas or fish in the Kissimmee River. In the river, guys fishing at night with minnows under lights have regularly been catching their limit. Also, the anglers that have been able to get out on the lake are having good luck around Harney Pond and Indian Prairie also using minnows. Jigs are working around King's Bar, but only if you can find a spot that is wind protected.

More freshwater:

Though there has been a definite slow down in the fishing in some areas, the Water Conservation Area at the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge as well as many of the central Palm Beach County lakes and canals along the Turnpike did not get the message. The bass bite has been good early on top water lures and Yo-Zuri crystal minnows. Then switch to soft, creature-style baits like crawdads or Senko worms.

NOTE: All boaters should be on the lookout for manatees and extra cautious as there have been quite a few spotted in the Intracoastal Waterway the past week.