Inshore Dock Fishing Tips! | Flats Class YouTube

Ed Killer / tcpalm South Fla. Report

 

Florida fishing regulations and fishing season opening and closing dates:

• Red snapper: July 14-15. One fish per angler per day. No minimum or maximum size limits.
• Lobster: Season closed April 1. Two-day sport season (mini-season) opens July 26-27. Regular season opens Aug. 6.
• Snook: Harvest closed June 1. Reopens Sept. 1. One fish bag limit, 28-32 inches, snook stamp required.
• Grouper: Harvest opened May 1. Includes gag grouper, red grouper, black grouper, scamp, yellowfin grouper, yellowmouth, coney, graysby, red hind and rock hind. Harvest closes Jan. 1, 2024.
• Hogfish: Harvest opened May 1. Harvest closes from Nov. 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024.
• Cobia: New bag and size limits for state waters. Bag limit: Two fish per vessel. Size limit: 36 inches fork length.
• Spotted seatrout: Harvest opened Jan. 1 in Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Palm Beach counties. Harvest closes November and December 2023.
• Redfish: Harvest of redfish is banned in the Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon beginning Sept. 1. FWC will reevaluate later in the year.
• Alligator: Hunt season opens Aug. 15-Nov. 1. Permits required.
• Dolphin: Bag limit is five fish per day per angler. Vessel limit is 30 fish per day. Captain and crew may not be included in limit. These fishing regulations began on May 1, 2022, for state waters.
• Tilefish: Harvest opened on Jan. 1.
• Bass: Bass at Headwaters Lake will soon become all catch-and-release.

For complete fishing regulations in Florida go to MyFWC.com.

Indian River County

Inshore: Catch and release fishing for snook, tarpon and redfish has been steady in and around Sebastian Inlet. Live pilchards, jigs and small live blue crabs are working as the best baits during the outgoing tide. Closer to Vero Beach, snook and redfish can be caught on soft jigs like No Live Bait Needed or D.O.A. jerk baits. A few trout can be caught on the flats south of town on topwater plugs early in the morning.

Freshwater: High water temperature is slowing the bass bite in area lakes and ponds. Fish for bluegill, shellcracker and warmouth by using red worms or live crickets on cane poles.

St. Lucie County

Inshore: Tarpon and Goliath grouper can be caught around the Turning Basin at night on small live baits. Fish the baits to the bottom for the goliaths. Tarpon will take baits at the top of the water column. Tripletail can be caught around channel markers when the current is moving.

Surf: The week of west wind seemingly made the sargassum seaweed disappear. Clear beaches left behind have been good for the beach fishers who are enjoying some of the best whiting fishing of the year so far. Use pieces of shrimp or Fishbites for action.

Martin County

Inshore: Snook fishing is very good throughout the southern Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River. Snook are starting to head down to the inlet and offshore wrecks for spawning season, but travel back and forth more frequently than we think. Live bait isn't necessary. Plenty of snook will take artificial lures. Use topwater plugs if in shallow water and jigs if working around the bridges.

Lake Okeechobee

There is plenty of microcystis algae floating around in the center and southern parts of the lake. Stay in the north and west sectors where fish are oriented towards habitat and drop-offs where they can cool down. Bluegill and shellcrackers are around the bulrushes and lilies taking crickets.

• report courtesy of Ed Killer is florida today's outdoors writer. Friend Ed on Facebook at Ed Killer, follow him on Twitter @tcpalmekiller or email him at  ed.killer@tcpalm.com.

Sebastian Inlet Report

 

 Look for jacks, blues, reds, tarpon, snappers and more as the water cleans up

Here we go with the report for the inlet. The good news: the sargassum weed is STILL gone. No weeds to contend with! The inlet is still pretty active with all the small bait fish arriving, and the predators that follow. Mullet are running the beaches. In the inlet, small schools of minnows and greenies are everywhere, especially in the back of the inlet and along the shorelines. The water has been mostly clean and is creeping up to seasonal temperatures, about  82  degrees. That's a good sign. The breakdown:

North Jetty: Here, the bite is best during the early morning high tide. Spanish mackerel were caught on live greenies, freeline, under a bobber of some sort, or without. Most of the fish were in the 15 to 16” inch range. Also, the lookdowns were still biting on small green or white jigs fished around the rocks at the tip. Some catch-and-release snook were also caught on live mojarras and the small croakers. Fishing with dead shrimp?  Atlantic spadefish are still around. This is the time of year when they appear in large schools and can be seen swimming around the jetty. Anglers are also catching small mangrove snappers on live greenies or cut dead greenies along the pilings and at the tip in the rocks. Most are at the 10-inch mark or just under and have to be released. Just a few have made the cut to go home. Also there have been some lady fish around to keep it busy for some folks. Not a good eating fish, but fun to catch because they jump so much. Some people call them the "poor man’s tarpon". They will bite anything thrown out. Outgoing tide at the tip has been mostly catch and release snook and some redfish on live baits of all flavors. Jack crevalle, blue runners, catfish and stingrays make up the list of guests as well. Some small mangrove snappers are being caught as well fishing live and cut greenies in the rocks. As I mentioned in my last report, thieving barracudas are starting to arrive,  cruising the jetty for a quick meal! Watch out if you hook a mackerel or snapper as they just might steal it from you. 

South Jetty: Here, most of the action is during the incoming tide where the catch-and-release snook and redfish are playing well. Live baits of all sorts are getting the bite. Also, I saw small tarpon hooked and/or caught in the evenings on swim baits. These fish are protected. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife rules and regulations, fish over 40 inches should not be removed from the water for any reason. I hear about a couple more flounder caught on this side: the beach area is the spot when the water is clean. Small white feather jigs and rubber swim baits. Most were around the 14 to 15-inch range for the summer flounder. Outgoing tide at the tip has been all about the black margates, blue runners and jack crevalle. For those fishing live mojarras and croakers, the snook have been playing, too. Stingrays and catfish have been around, especially when the water dirties up. 

 

T-Dock: Snappers are active around the dock pilings. Cut baits and small greenies are accounting for the catches, but shrimp will work as well. Most are mangroves, but they’ve  been too small to keep - just at or under the 10 inch minimum. Small muttons have been caught, but they, too, have been under the 18-inch minimum to keep. On the incoming tide, there have been Spanish mackerel caught on the live greenies and small white jigs fished on ultralight tackle. Blue runners, jack crevalle and ladyfish are around to keep  things interesting. For those that like snook fishing, incoming and the first of the outgoing have been good for catch-and-release. Live mojarra and croakers are the baits for them. 

Surf area, both sides: The water has still been a little silted up, despite calmer conditions. If you can find some clean water and a good trough line, pompano and whiting are a possibility. Sand fleas and cut shrimp will work for them. In clean water,  schools of glass minnows are visible as they start migrating down the beach. If you find them, fish small swim baits, live baits or small jigs and you just might have some action. Spanish mackerel, tarpon, snook and a host of other predators follow and feen on them. 

That's it for this week. Unsettled weather is predicted this week. Be aware, as conditions can change quickly. Stay safe, be well and have a great week.” — Snookman

Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

 

There is a lot of life along our local beaches . The pilchards and glass minnows have been showing the last two days and the snook, jacks, whiting, croaker, and palometas have been have been following them down the beach . Randy, my granddaughter Ashley, and I fished a couple of beaches in Jensen Beach and Stuart yesterday and the whiting and croaker that were biting in Stuart a couple of days ago were gone . We found the pelicans and all of the bait at a couple of beaches in Jensen Beach and the whiting and croaker were all over it . We managed to put about 50 nice whiting and croaker in our coolers and Ashley was even catching double headers . Orange Clam Fishbites was the ticket yesterday and today fished 10 to 40 yards off of the beach . I talked to a couple of anglers who were targeting catch and release snook and they were having success live lining pilchards . I went back this morning by myself and the bite was even better for the whiting and croaker . Bait was everywhere and when the glass minnow’s showed the big croakers bit on every cast . The action has been best around the high tide mark and the two hours after . The whiting are biting in spurts and it seems when the croaker shut off the whiting start cruising the trough . Today I was able to make some neighbors and friends pretty happy with bags of the best tasting fish the beach has to offer . Target your baits to the schools of bait as they move up and down the beach and pitch them right in the middle of the schools . This is light tackle fishing and just great fun .Cut your shrimp into small pieces and downsize your Fishbites also . A small piece of shrimp tipped with Orange Clam or Chartreuse Bloodworm Fishbites will put you in the game . Seas are forecast to be around 2 feet right until Thursday when the SE wind is supposed to make a return . Good luck this week and catch em up . The table on the left was Randy and Ashley’s catch from yesterday and on the right was the bite from today .

From Todd, Morgan, Eddy & Jeff @ Juno Bait -Juno Beach

 INSHORE:  Catch and release snook fishing remains the best bet inshore right now.  Some big fish cruising seawalls right now; and a properly presented topwater plug can draw some jaw dropping explosions.  Typically the best action on the snook will be early morning and late afternoon, but don't overlook tide changes and approaching storms as well.  At night the snook have been biting well around the bridges.  A flair hawk is always a good choice, but the snook have really been smashing the 3" NLBN swimbait this week.  Mangrove snapper continue to bite pretty well, especially at night.  Live shrimp and small pilchards are the best bait for the mangroves.  Look for the mangrove snapper to bite best around structure (bridges, seawalls, pilings, etc) with a moderate amount of current.  

SURF/PIER:  A little more action along the beach and at the pier this week with improving water conditions.  A little more bait around (primarily pilchards0 this week which always help.  The snook are in the inlets decently, and have started to move along the beach a little better as well.  Sightfishing the snook in the trough is starting to become a viable option.  Fishing live pilchards in the beach is also a good way to go.  The Juno Beach Pier has had a god number of blue runners around, along with a few scattered Spanish Mackerel.  The snook are also staring to get right at the pier as well.  A live sandperch is a great way to go for a big snook right now.  Small pieces of fresh shrimp on a very small hook with light leader is the way to go for catching perch and whiting.

Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

 After the phenomenal action we had on the weekend the whiting , croakers, and palometa took the day off on Monday and Tuesday . They did a disappearing act on those two days and after fishing four different beaches on Monday, I put the white flag up after only getting two bites . Randy and I went looking again yesterday and the bites were nonexistent at the 3 beaches we tried but a stop in Jensen Beach around 9 am we found the bait and the pelicans . The bait schools were not what they were on the weekend but there was signs of life . The hour before high tide rule to two hours after worked again as the whiting and a few croaker decided to eat . The good bite only lasted for about an hour but that’s all we needed . Randy also caught another catch and release snook on a live mojarra too . Orange Clam Fishbites was the bait yesterday along with a tiny piece of shrimp. Try to learn the formations of the bars on the beaches you intend to fish as the area we fished had a very defined second trough about 40 yards off and that’s where these fish were holding . If you don’t get any bites in the normal 1st trough area after about 10 minutes try launching a cast 40 to 50 yards off and let it sit for a couple of minutes and then start bringing it back a couple yards at a time to try to locate where they are . Looking at your favorite beach at low tide can show you the wave and water action that will define the second bar or runouts and areas to target at high tide . There’s lots of bait showing up and the weather looks good right into the weekend . Get some Fishbites , Chartreuse Bloodworm and Orange Clam , some shrimp and go catch a fish fry

Sebastian Inlet Report

 

Cleaner water brings back the action! Look for jacks, blues, spadefish, catch-and-release snook

Our trusty fishing guide and snook-hunting legend, “Snookman” Wayne Landry gives us the lowdown on the fishing scene at Sebastian Inlet. First, he gives advice about staying hydrated and staying clear of Goliath groupers:

“I'd like to start off with a safety tip for you all today. Summer is coming and the heat is here. If you are going to be out for an extended period of time, either fishing or beaching it, bring an umbrella or some kind of shade to block the sun, and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and safe. At the inlet on Sunday, a person passed out and we had to call EMS to secure the situation. And remember, canopies and cabanas are prohibited on the jetty, but umbrellas are allowed (they cannot be attached to the railings or any part of the structure). Now for the good news on the fishing. Yes, I said GOOD news!

North jetty: To begin,  I'd like to point out that targeting Goliath grouper on the jetty is PROHIBITED. It is one of the rules for fishing the north jetty. The reason for the rule is to protect the species from harm as they are federally protected and managed, and there is really no safe way to land them and safely release them. I saw two killed last year, and it just broke my heart. So far, the sargassum weed is still gone! Last week began slow due to the dirty water, but by Friday small swells and light winds cleared the water. There were a lot of small mullet swimming around the jetty and few nice schools of small greenies everywhere. Lots of cow nose rays were swimming around the jetty as well. It is that time of the year where they are migrating down the coast to spawn.

Now for the fishing: Outgoing tide early in the morning at the tip was producing some nice catch-and-release snook on live mojarras and small croakers. On Saturday, at the tip, there were a couple of nice black drum caught on live shrimp on the outgoing as well. Jack crevalles, blue runners and Atlantic spadefish were caught on dead shrimp. On the incoming tide, there were quite a few tarpon rolling around the tip of the jetty heading north up the beach, but none were hooked up. A few nice sheepshead and Atlantic spadefish were caught between the pilings on cut shrimp, incoming tide as well. Also, the mangrove snappers are starting to show up, but most are just under the 10-inch minimum size limit to keep. But that's a good sign! Also, there have been several mutton snappers caught on both tides, but they too have been too small to keep. The minimum on them is 18 inches overall. Due to all the greenies around the jetty and the smaller minnows present, there have been quite a few nice lookdowns being caught on ultralight tackle on small white and green jigs, on the incoming tide at the tip. Not much to them, but a tasty fish to eat. No limits on them. There have also been some Spanish mackerel around, but not many to the silty water. Anglers also caught palometas over the weekend on the high tide, ocean side of the jetty. They look like a small pompano, but they aren't; they have three slightly visible vertical stripes on their sides and long orange and black dorsal and anal fins. They don't get very big, but they are good to eat if you can catch a batch of them. They are an "unregulated" species, so they have no size limit or bag limit. And for those of you looking for a big fish to mess with, some big barracudas are starting to roam around. They can be caught on big live baits, or various colors of big tube lures thrown at them. 

South jetty: Here, the fishing has also picked up quite a bit. Outgoing tide at the tip they’re catching black margates, blue runners, some mangrove snappers, jack crevalle and a couple of nice pompano. The mangroves for the most part have been too small to keep on this side as well. Also caught at the tip, on both tides, along the rock shoreline, were catch-and-release snook and redfish. Live mojarras and small croakers have been the baits of choice. On Saturday, I saw someone catch a 24-inch flounder. It is that time of the year for the summer run of those fish. Also remember they have to be 14 inches to be kept. 

Catwalks, both sides remain closed by the Florida Department of Transportation.

T-Dock area: The fishing is improving daily. With all the small glass minnows, greenies and mojarras around and the water cleaning up, there has been a flurry of action. Both tides around the dock pilings they’re catching snappers on small live and cut baits. Mangroves and muttons are the flavors, but most of them have been too small to keep. As I previously mentioned, that's a good sign! Spanish mackerel are also a possibility on small live baits fished with a float, or with small jigs of various materials, hair of soft plastics. Jack crevalles and some blue runners are there to play, too. The catch-and-release snook are around for those hardcore snookers. Incoming and the very beginning of the outgoing on live mojarras is your best bet. Flounder are showing up around the south jetty and time it’s for the summer run: they could be a possibility back here around the sandy areas. Any small live bait or small rubber jig will entice them. 

Surf area, both sides: I haven't heard much from the surf guys and gals. The water, though calm, is still silted up. The only thing that bites in such conditions are largely catfish and stingrays.  Watch out for possible bait schools migrating down the beaches this time of year. You might encounter tarpon, snook and redfish around them. Fish live baits if you have them, or medium to large plastic swim baits. 

That's all I have today, and I'm glad it is better than what it was. It can only improve as we enter summer and the water conditions improve. Grab your gear, get out to your favorite honey hole and enjoy our fishing, beaches and what Florida has to offer!” — Snookman

 

Ed Killer / tcpalm South Fla. Report

 It's Father's Day weekend and the snapper bite could not be better. If you can, take dad snapper fishing for chances to catch the big three of Space Coast snapper fishing — mutton snapper, mangrove snapper and lane snapper.

Muttons are running 10 to 16 pounds along Space Coast reefs. They are biting on dead baits like sardines, pinfish and grunts. Fish them on long leaders, up to 24 feet or longer fluorocarbon, using 4/0 circle hooks and enough weight to hold bottom in the current.

Mangrove snappers have been on the large side up to 8 and 9 pounds, especially off Sebastian and Port Canaveral. They have been caught better in 65 to 75 feet of water. Red grouper are being caught in the same zone.

Finally, don't turn your nose up at the lane snapper fishing. Squid, strips of grunts or even live shrimp on 2/0 J hooks will work good and pick up some triggerfish bites, too. Enjoy that Father's Day fish fry!

Closures & regulations changes in effect: Anglers are reminded about these fishery harvest closures currently underway and ones about to begin and end.

Grouper: Harvest opened May 1, 2023. Includes gag grouper, red grouper, black grouper, scamp, yellowfin grouper, yellowmouth, coney, graysby, red hind & rock hind. Harvest closes Jan. 1, 2024.

Hogfish: Harvest opened May 1, 2023. Harvest closed from Nov. 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024.

Snook: Harvest closes June 1. One fish bag limit, 28-32 inches, snook stamp required..

Lobster: Season closed April 1. Two day sport season (mini-season) opens July 26-27, 2023. Regular season opens Aug. 6.

Cobia: New bag and size limits for state waters. Bag limit: Two fish per vessel. Size limit: 36 inches fork length.

Spotted seatrout:  Harvest open as of Jan. 1 in Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin & Palm Beach counties. Harvest closes November and December 2023.

Redfish: Harvest of redfish is banned in the Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon beginning Sept. 1. FWC will re-evaluate later in the year.

Alligator: Hunt season open Aug. 15-Nov. 1. Permits required.

Dolphin: New fishing regulations began May 1, 2022 for state waters. Bag limit is now five fish per day per angler; Vessel limit is now 30 fish per day. Captain and crew may not be included in limit.

Tilefish: Harvest is open as of Jan. 1.

Bass: Bass at Headwaters Lake will soon become all catch-and-release.

For complete fishing regulations in Florida go to MyFWC.com.

Mosquito Lagoon

Fishing in the shallow water estuary has been productive recently. An increase in seagrass growth is helping. Look for speckled trout, redfish, black drum and snook to be taking live shrimp fished around the islands or along the east shorelines. Still some larger fish are hitting in Haulover Canal on split blue crabs.

Indian River County

Inshore: Catch-and-release snook fishing has been pretty good and fishing from the jetties at Sebastian Inlet has been much better since the sargassum seemingly went away in the same fashion as it arrived. Good spotted seatrout and redfish action can be had around the mangrove shorelines south of Vero Beach.

Freshwater: Bass fishing has been off since the water temperatures have been on the rise.

St. Lucie County

Inshore: Catch-and-release fishing for tarpon, snook and goliath grouper has been the main action in and around the Fort Pierce Inlet and the Turning Basin. Fish the channel edges and bridge and dock pilings with shrimp-tipped jigs for mangrove snapper.

Surf: Rick Kohs of Port St. Lucie said he was determined to fish the surf last Saturday. He found clean water as the sargassum-geddon has started to wane a little. After a slow bite, as he was ready to move from Middle Cove Beach, he got a bite from an 18-pound permit. Kohs was using clam-flavored Fishbites. Lesson here: Always make one last cast.

Algae alert:Will Army Corps start Lake Okeechobee discharges to St. Lucie River despite toxic algae?

Martin County

Inshore: Tarpon fishing has been best in the St. Lucie Inlet and around the Crossroads. Catch-and-release snook fishing has been good around the docks and bridges at night on large jigs or live pilchards.

Lake Okeechobee

Microrcystis algae is spread across 50% of the lake, but mostly in the center and southern ends. The northern and western areas offer some algae-free fishing. Hot water temperatures have slowed any bass bite and the fish are staying lower in the water column. Bluegill and shellcracker are being caught on live crickets.

• report courtesy of Ed Killer is florida today's outdoors writer. Friend Ed on Facebook at Ed Killer, follow him on Twitter @tcpalmekiller or email him at  ed.killer@tcpalm.com.

From Todd, Morgan, Eddy & Jeff @ Juno Bait -Juno Beach

INSHORE-  Catch and release snook fishing remains the best bet inshore.  Been a pretty solid bite at night around the bridges using 3' NLBN Swimbaits.  Outgoing tide has been the best bet for fishing the snook.  The Loxahatchee River has had a few big snook around.  Fishing a topwater early morning and late afternoon is a good way to go for some jaw dropping explosive strikes.  Look for the snook to be laid up along or under good ambush points waiting for the current to wash baits to them.  A few mangrove snapper around, with the best bite coming at night.  Small live pilchards and live shrimp are the way to go for the snapper.  

SURF/PIER-  The water is finally looking pretty nice on the beach again; feels like it has taken forever to clean up!  The bait hasn't fully filled back in yet, but it also has improved as the cleaner water comes back in.  Surprisingly a handful of pompano are still being caught first thing in the morning.  It's not huge numbers, but those putting in the time have been getting a handful of bites.  Mixed in with the pomps should be some croakers and big sandperch.  Snook are filling in better and better along the beach and at the Juno Beach Pier.  Look for the snook to be most active early and late in the day.  When the sun gets up higher in the sky they get a little tougher to trick.  A few more mangrove snapper showing up in the inlets and at the Juno Beach Pier.   

A Note From A Bud

 

From Todd, Eddy & Jeff @ Juno Bait -Juno Beach

 INSHORE-  Catch and release snook fishing remains pretty good.  A fair number of fish in the inlets, and that will only increase as we get later into the month.  Live baits are the way to go during the day for the snook.  At night flairhawks and 3 and 5" NLBN Swimbaits have been the best lure choices.  A handful of mangrove snapper around.  Small live pilchards and live shrimp are the way to go for the snapper.  

SURF/PIER-  Tough fishing along the beach this week, with dirty water really slowing things down overall.  A few pompano (that really shouldn't be around) biting early in the morning on sandfleas and shrimp.  The snook aren't fully on the beach yet, but have started to show in slightly better numbers.  It's about time for the snook to start cruising the trough.  If we can get some clear water back in, sightfishing them will start to come into play.  The Juno Beach Pier has been producing some very large sandperch and a few croakers.  

Ed Killer / tcpalm South Fla. Report

 

Mosquito Lagoon

Fishing here has been pretty steady for speckled trout, catch and release snook and redfish, black drum and jacks. There is seagrass, which has been a good sign and has helped buoy the trout fishing. Freeline live shrimp or fish a shrimp under a popping cork.

Surf

Sargassum seaweed has dominated the shoreline for several weeks making it difficult for anglers to be able to cast a line and keep it clean. It may be a week or two before this zone gets back to successful fishing.

Sebastian Inlet

Summer fishing patterns here mean release of all snook and all redfish. Sheepshead, snapper and a few mackerel are still being caught. Drifting the middle of the inlet during outgoing tides with small live blue crabs is a good way to get bit by an oversized redfish, jack or tarpon.

Indian River Lagoon

Anglers are hooking juvenile tarpon near the Thousand Islands on small live baits or suspending lures. Fish structure for sheepshead, croaker and snapper along the channel edges or around seawalls and bridge pilings. Speckled trout has been good in areas where anglers can find some grass or at the end of docks.

Freshwater

Rains have the river system moving which is always good for catching catfish. Use the current and stinky natural baits fished on the bottom to catch catfish in the Little Econ. The lakes have been good places to find bluegill and shellcracker biting live crickets.

• report courtesy of Ed Killer is florida today's outdoors writer. Friend Ed on Facebook at Ed Killer, follow him on Twitter @tcpalmekiller or email him at  ed.killer@tcpalm.com.

Snook-Nook Fishing Report

        Noah Young with a Snook caught on a Vudu Shrimp at the Jensen Causeway

Summertime Snook fishing has kicked off for us here on the Treasure Coast! As a reminder Snook season just closed in our area and will reopen again on September 1st. June provides us with some of the best Snook fishing of the year. Not only do we see a lot of fish caught, we see a lot of trophy sized Snook caught. If you’re looking to knock a 40” Snook off your bucket list, you’ve got a good shot at it! Please remember to handle these breeder Snook with care as they will be providing us with our Snook population for years to come. Fishing circle hooks, limiting their time out of the water along with reviving them if necessary are all crucial to a strong release of the fish. For our anglers on boats, we are starting to see some of the breeder fish being caught in the St. Lucie Inlet as well as Snook schooling up around the inlet. You can also head out the inlet and fish some of the nearshore reefs as the Snook will school up there as well. Fishing live baits such as Croakers or Pilchards will give you your best shot at the fish there. Fishing around docks and the causeway fenders will produce some fish as well. Keep in mind that on hot summer afternoons these fish will stay in areas with deeper water, shade or moving current to keep themselves cool which makes the inlet, bridges and deeper water docks all good options to fish in the afternoons. For our land based anglers, the Jensen Causeway, Ft. Pierce Inlet and beaches are all good options if you’re targeting Snook. The Jensen Causeway has been best in the evening and at night as there has been a good amount of bait that has been pushing through including shrimp, crabs and pilchards that the Snook have been keyed in on. You can free line crabs, fish a shrimp on a jig head or freelined or free line bait fish if you’re looking to fish with live bait. If you’re looking to throw artificials, artificial shrimp, paddle tails and jerkbaits have all been productive. If you’re hitting Ft. Pierce Inlet, live Croakers will be tough to beat! You can also expect to find some Snook on the beaches, white paddle tails in the mornings and evenings are great options as well as live baits. If you’re hitting the beach, it isn’t a bad idea to have a rod rigged with a sabiki in case any bait pushes through. 

Tarpon fishing has been on the rise for us as well. Fishing the causeways on outgoing tides will be the best time to target them as they have been eating the crabs that are pushing through. The majority of the reports as of late have been coming from the Jensen and Stuart causeways. You can also look to target them in the crossroads as well as in the inlet. If you want to throw artificials, the Hogy Slow Tail swimbait as well as NLBNs are great options. 

Other than Snook and Tarpon, there have been plenty of big Jacks cruising the sea walls, a few Redfish caught at Stuart Causeway, some Trout caught in the mornings on the flats north of the power plant, some Sheepshead on the channel markers and plenty of Mangrove Snapper throughout the river hanging around structure. We get some nice sized Mangroves in the river this time of year which can be fun for the whole family. To weed out some of the smaller ones, you can try fishing with smaller baitfish to get a few for dinner. 

Surf Fishing Report 

The Pompano fishing has slowed down as the majority of fish have migrated back up north. A few Pompano are still making their way to the coolers but the production has definitely slowed down and will continue to drop off until late fall. We have also been dealing with a good amount of seaweed on the beaches which will limit anglers when it is present. You will definitely want to check the beach for seaweed conditions before hauling your gear out. Anglers fishing the long rods have been able to find some Permit recently when conditions have permitted, they are a true tackle tester on the beach and will take you for a run! White Crab, Yellow Crab and EZ Flea FishBites have been the popular flavors for the Permit. The Whiting and Croaker fishing will continue to improve as we get into the summer. A good majority of them will be found right up in the first trough so you don’t want to over cast. Pieces of shrimp along with Bloodworm or shrimp flavored FishBites will get the job done. We are starting to see some Snook show up off the beaches and we will continue to see more throughout the month as they move onto the beaches for their annual spawn. If you are looking to throw artificials, white paddle tails and jerkbaits such as the Yozuri Crystal Minnow, Fingerling or Rapala Xrap in the mornings and evenings are some of the best options. As the sun gets higher, the artificial bite typically slows down and you will find more production fishing live Pilchards or Croakers. As mentioned previously, it isn’t a bad idea to have a rod rigged with a sabiki in case any bait pushes through. If you are fishing for Whiting or Croaker and catch a small one, try flipping it back out free lined and get ready for a thump! You may run into some Jacks on the beach when bait is present as well.  

Sebastian Inlet Report

 

Nothing to see here, folks, move along (unless you enjoy catfish)

Good morning, fishing fans! The weather was nice, but the fishing wasn't so good. Again, I have to say this report isn't one I enjoy writing, but I don't sugarcoat anything. I tell how it really is at the inlet. Last week and through the entire weekend the water was choked up with sargassum weed. There was no escaping it. The NNE winds were blowing at 15 to 20 mph and the strong surf made the inlet look like a washing machine. There are fish being caught in the inlet, but you have to search  hard for a bit clean water. The boaters drifting the inlet channel have been picking up snook and redfish on live baits. Now, for the pinpoint spots:

North jetty: Over here, most of the catches have been those pesky catfish, on both tides on any bait. Word of caution: Please be careful in handling them as they have very dangerous spines on the fins and can inflict a nasty wound if stuck by one! On the outgoing tide at the tip there have been small to medium sized jack crevalle being caught on spoons and jigs; also, blue runners on cut baits. That's pretty much all for over here. Along the rock seawall between the jetty and the catwalk is unfishable due to the massive blankets of sargassum weed along the shoreline. 

South jetty: Over here is the same, but in some instances on the incoming tide the sargassum weed will drift farther out to the edge of the channel, allowing the water to clean up some. In that case, there has been nice catch-and-release snook and redfish caught on live baits of any kind. But you need cleaner water. On the outgoing tide, it has been all about the catfish, blue runners and jack crevalle. I saw a couple of Atlantic spadefish in a bucket when I was down Sunday. Cut shrimp was the ticket for them. Also, there are plenty of spot-tail pins still being caught, but they are small. 

Catwalks, both sides: As you already know, the north catwalk has been closed for some time, but now as of last Friday the Florida Department of Transportation has closed the south catwalk indefinitely. No more fishing from there either. 

T-Dock area: . The water has been somewhat cleaner. The incoming tide has been producing  catch-and-release snook on live mojarras, if you can net some (the sargassum hinders this) Around the dock pilings on both tides there have been quite a few small mangrove snappers caught on cut baits, but they have been just shy of the 10 inch minimum to be kept - but that is a good sign that they are moving in. For those throwing small white jigs and small silver spoons, some Spanish mackerel are possible, along with jack crevalle and blue runners. 

So there we go, folks. I wish I had better news, but we are at the mercy of the weeds and water conditions from the unseasonable winds. Have a great week!" - Snookman.