Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

It’s the end of March and as we approach this holiday weekend we might get a window that will allow the surf to calm down , the water to clean up, and hopefully give us more than one or two fishable days in a row . April is my favorite month to target the pompano as it is traditionally the time of year when you expect to put a good number of pompano in the cooler . I love a high tide in the afternoon during April and the beginning of May and remember last year when we were straining our eyes as it was starting to get dark to see the rods bend . There are still plenty of sandfleas showing so make sure you bring a rake with you if you are going to make trip . We caught some pompano over the weekend but unfortunately none of the fish that Brett, Randy, and I were big enough to place in the IRK tournament . We added some nice whiting too and Brett was on the board until late Sunday . Congratulations to all of the prize winners . All of our fish bit on Electric Chicken Crab and EZFlea Fishbites . A few of the fish were on sandfleas tipped with those Fishbites also . April is always a busy month and I will be involved with the Sailfish Point Fishing Club Surf Tournament and then doing seminars for the Savanna Club and the Ballantrae Fishing Club . Let’s hope Mother Nature turns off an extended period of her wind machine and we get more days to fish this month . We will be celebrating Easter early and Passover late this month and I hope everyone has a great holiday . Pompano, whiting, and croaker should all be on your catch list during April so stock up on your Fishbites and enjoy some great weather, hopefully!! Good luck and catch em up .I forgot to add an important date coming up as April 27 is the date of Fishbites first leg of their Shoreline Showdown Surf Fishing Tournaments . Their format of having tournaments in different locations and dates is unprecedented and provides an opportunity for surf anglers from the Panhandle , Jacksonville/St Augustine area, Melbourne, and Jensen Beach. Log on to the Shoreline Showdown website to register and get additional information.

From Todd @ Juno Bait Crew-Juno Beach

 INSHORE-  Inshore reports have been a bit slim this week.  Snook fishing has been fair for those really putting the hours in on them.  A few more mullet moving around inshore has them popping off a little on the bigger baits.  Pretty standard pattern on the snook right now.  During the day it's going to be live baits under boat docks and along seawalls.  At night look for the snook to be lurking along bridge shadow lines and on the outside edges of docklights.  Best luck (In most places) is going to be the top of the outgoing tide.  However, with some cloudier water this week incoming tide is producing as well.  

SURF/PIER-  Pompano fishing has been pretty solid this week both on the Juno Beach Pier and along the beach when the weather allows.  On the beach it's the usual assortment of baits (sand fleas, clams, shrimp, and Fishbites) doing the trick on the pompano.  On the pier they are catching them on bait, and also pretty well on Docs Goofy Jigs.  No hot color on the jigs tho speak of; but orange and pink do seem to be doing pretty good.  Typically the best pompano bite is early and late in the day; but don't overlook high tide as well even if its in the middle of the day.  Still a decent scattering of Spanish Mackerel around, along with some late season big bluefish.  About time for some big jacks to come cruising down the beach as well.  Decent amount of wind in the forecast for the weekend so stick to good casting lures (like GT Ice Cream, Rapala X-Raps, Diamond Jigs, Yo-Zuri Hydro Monster Shot) for best results.  

Sebastian Inlet Report with The Snookman

 

Messy condition may land you a catfish but not much else, says Snookman

 Good morning, Sebastian Inlet fishing fans. I hope you had a great weekend despite all the wind. This report, once again is going to be short due to the weather conditions spanning from Friday through the weekend. Wind-driven seas and surf in the inlet and its surrounding beaches turned into a giant dirty mess. Also, water temperatures have dropped back down to the 65 to 69-degree range from the 74 it was two weeks ago. Over the weekend, I visited all the fishing areas, but the only thing I saw caught were catfish and more catfish, and a lot of smaller ‘schoolie’ bluefish, and that's about it!

When I was at the inlet on Thursday, even the boaters fishing around the tip of the jetty for snook didn't fare well, either. I didn't see a single fish caught in the hours hours I was there. On Saturday, about the only action I saw was a six-foot bull shark fought and landed properly on the beach by an angler. The shark was released unharmed after the hook was removed. That was the highlight of the weekend!

Before  this mess blew in over the weekend, there were some black drum, pompano, Spanish mackerel and big bluefish caught, but the water was a bit cleaner and warmer. This week, expect another week of high surf and winds to keep water conditions churned up and messy. In checking the coastal surf reports for the week, it appears that things will settle down by the weekend. 

Ed Killer / tcpalm South Fla. Report

Mosquito Lagoon

The fishing in this zone has been pretty steady for speckled trout, black drum, redfish and snook. Anglers can catch any of these by tossing a freelined live shrimp or rigging the shrimp under a popping cork. Working the popping cork will mimic the sound of trout feeding which always get other fish in the area excited.

Surf

Fish the last hour of the incoming tide and the first two hours of the outgoing tide to catch whiting, pompano and croaker between the trough and the sand bar. Longer casts will yield bluefish and Spanish mackerel. Use sand fleas or Fishbites in the EZ flea flavor.

Sebastian Inlet

Bluefish, sharks, jacks and Spanish mackerel are being caught as most of these species are migrating back north. Casting out large topwater plugs or chrome jigs will get bites from the blues and macks. Live bait like croaker and mojarra fished on the bottom during the outgoing tides will get bites from snook and redfish.

Indian River Lagoon

Sheepshead can be caught using shrimp-tipped jigs and casting around dock pilings, bridge pilings, piers, seawalls or catwalks. Black drum schools are moving around the northern Indian River and Banana River lagoons. Cast split blue crab to them. Redfish and snook will also pick up a split crab.

Freshwater

Bass fishing is at its best right now. Fish the edges of ponds, lakes and canals around the new and full moon phase to get reaction bites while fish are on the beds. Bluegill and shellcracker fishing has been better as temperatures warm up. Use live crickets and red worms for best action.

• report courtesy of Ed Killer  TCPalm's outdoors writer. 

Sebastian Inlet Report with The Snookman

 

Unseasonal conditions have tempered the action, but snook are possible

“Good morning, Sebastian Inlet fishing fans. Here’s the latest of what's happening at the inlet, and again, it will be brief as it hasn't been all that good. As long as these fronts move across the state and impact water clarity and temperature, fishing will be hit-or-miss.

Last week, mid-week, it warmed up to 71 degrees and we had a pretty good snook bite on the north jetty during the incoming tide and the last of the outgoing tide. Wednesday and Thursday there were quite a few  snook caught on live shrimp — most were over slot, but several were keepers. I also saw a few black drum caught as well on the same tide phases, live and dead shrimp for those. Outgoing tide was all about the blues and jacks, many caught on silver spoons at the jetty tip. Spanish mackerel were there, but were a hit-or-miss; one day there, next few days gone. Small jigs and gotcha lures for them.

The south side has been slow, the water on that side dirty from the SSE winds. Incoming tide was producing small snook on live baits and artificials. Outgoing tide at the tip was producing jacks, blues and black margates. Dead shrimp was the ticket for them. Over the weekend it was pretty calm, but NO fish were caught to speak of. It was crowded, but the water has cooled back down to 69 degrees this morning. The water is sandy/murky and shut everything down, again. The surf fishing on either side has also been slow due to silty, cool water conditions.

From Todd @ Juno Bait Crew-Juno Beach

 INSHORE-  Snook fishing improved a bit more this week with the warming weather.  Bigger baits and lures are starting to get more attention from the snook as well as their metabolism speeds up with the warming weather.  During the day it's a live bait bite around boat docks and points with current.  At night the snook have been biting well around bridges; especially on the top of the outgoing tide.  Outgoing tide is not as important as you move away from the inlet: With dirtier water both tides will get bites, it just needs to be moving.  Sheepshead action has pretty much dried up inshore.  A few mangrove snapper have started to show up inshore.  Live shrimp and small live pilchards are the top bait choice for the snapper.  Sandperch bite has also been pretty good inshore this week.  

SURF/PIER- Pompano fishing improved this week along the beach.  Ideal looking conditions going into the weekend so hopefully the pomps continue to roll through.  Reports seem to be a bit better off of Hobe Sound Beach; but a decent scattering of pomps up and down the line have been coming in.  The usual bait assortment (sand fleas, clams, shrimp, and FishBites) continues to do the trick on the pompano.  Not as many pompano on the Pier this week, but a handful have been caught on Doc's Goofy Jigs.  The Juno Beach Pier has had a pretty solid number of bluefish around the past few days.  Heavier metal lures (diamond jigs, Yo-Zuri Monster Shots, etc) have been the best bet on the blues.  A swimming plug like a Rapala X-Rap will also do the trick on the blues.  A scattering of Spanish Mackerel around the Pier as well, but not in the numbers of the past few weeks.  Spanish Mackerel action at Peck's Lake improved this week.  Croaker bite has been decent in the first trough; with fresh pieces of shrimp being the bait of choice.  

From Todd @ Juno Bait Crew-Juno Beach

 INSHORE-  Warming stable weather has the snook biting better this week.  It's not full on yet by any means for the snook, but it is starting to get better and better.  With warming temps the fair hawk and big swimbait bite continues to improve; though the shrimp jig bite remains pretty good as well still.  Other inshore action is a bit slower.  Sheepshead action sowed a bit more this week.  Still some around; but no doubt slowing down on the sheepshead.  Wind out of the south will hopefully get a little push of springtime mullet coming through...will see what happens! 

SURF/PIER- Conditions have looked really good all week along the beach; unfortunately the fish have not really seemed to get the message!  A scattering of pompano around, but not big numbers.  Seems like the best pompano bite has been first thing in the morning.  Nice looking conditions headed into the weekend so hopefully the pompano reports improve.  A few scattered bluefish around, including some large ones; but not in big numbers.  A good number of Spanish Mackerel scattered up and down the beach.  The Juno Beach Pier has also been holding a decent number of Spanish Mackerel.  Fair bite on the croaker and whiting this week, with small pieces of fresh shrimp the top bait choice. 

Ed Killer / tcpalm South Fla. Report

 

Florida fishing regulations and fishing season opening and closing dates:

Snook: Harvest opens Feb. 1 along Florida's Atlantic Coast. Bag limit: One snook per day per angler. Size limit: No shorter than 28 inches and no longer than 32 inches. License: Anglers must have a valid Florida saltwater fishing license and $10 snook stamp.

• Spotted seatrout: Harvest re-opened Jan. 1. Central East region regulations — Bag limit: 2 per harvester, zero captain and crew bag limit when on a for-hire trip. Slot limit: More than 15 inches and less than 19 inches total length. May possess one over 19 inches per vessel or, if fishing from shore, one over 19 inches per person, included in the bag limit. Harvest closed Nov. 1-Dec. 31.
• Grouper: Harvest closed Jan. 1. Includes gag grouper, red grouper, black grouper, scamp, yellowfin grouper, yellowmouth, coney, graysby, red hind and rock hind. Harvest re-opens May 1.
• Hogfish: Harvest re-opens May 1.
• Cobia: Bag limit: Two fish per vessel. Size limit: 36 inches fork length. No closed season.
• Redfish: Harvest of redfish has been banned in the Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon since Sept. 1, 2022. FWC will reevaluate in the future.
• Lobster: Harvest will close March 31. No egg bearers, 3-inch minimum carapace length. Lobster stamp required. Sport season (mini-season) will be July 24-25, 2024.
• Alligator: Hunt season opened Aug. 15-Nov. 1. Permits required.
• Flounder: Size limit: 14 inches. Bag limit: 5 fish per person. Harvest closed Oct. 15-Nov. 30.
• Bass: Bass at Headwaters Lake will soon become all catch-and-release.

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

Mosquito Lagoon

Sight casting opportunities exist for speckled trout, black drum and snook. Use caution when handling trout for release because this is spawning season and many of the females are full of eggs. Use live shrimp, jerk baits or artificial shrimp for best results

Surf

On beaches undisturbed by nourishment projects there has been a good number of sand fleas which lends itself to good fishing for whiting, pompano and croaker. Bluefish and Spanish mackerel can be caught on longer casts with jigs or chrome plugs.

Sebastian Inlet

The north jetty is open to anglers. Threadfin herring (greenies) are schooling around the jetties. Snook, redfish, black drum and jacks can be caught during the incoming tide around those schools. There have been some snapper caught around the T Dock.

Indian River Lagoon

Thousand Islands have been a good place to catch redfish and black drum along the mangrove shorelines. Toss live shrimp or topwater plugs early in the morning to get bites from speckled trout, small tarpon, snook and jacks.

Freshwater

There has been good fishing for speckled perch in many ponds and lakes. Use speck jigs with or without live minnows. Bass have been bedding along the edges. Use lipless crank baits or topwater frogs to get reaction bites.

• report courtesy of Ed Killer  TCPalm's outdoors writer. 

Snook-Nook Fishing Report

 

There have been plenty of slot sized fish caught over the past few weeks. The water has been warming up a bit with some warmer weather in the afternoons so the Snook have been a bit more active and we have seen more productivity from anglers fishing live baits such as Croakers, Pilchards and Threadfins. Don’t be surprised if you start seeing more productivity later in the morning as the weather and water temps warm up. If you’re fishing right around sunset on a chilly morning, start out with your slower presentations such as live shrimp or work some soft plastics to increase your chances. We’ve seen some slot sized and over slots caught around the causeways and there have been some schooled up around docks in both the Indian and St. Lucie rivers. Those fishing the Jensen Causeway for Snook have still been doing well in the evenings focusing on the shadow lines. Artificial shrimp such as Thumper Shrimp and Vudu Shrimp along with paddle tails and flair hawk jigs have been getting thumped for anglers fishing lures. There have been some Snook and Trout caught north of the Jensen causeway on both the east and west side by those wading. There have also been some Trout mixed in with Snook in some of the dock lights. 

You can expect to still find some Sheepshead around inshore and on some of the nearshore patch reefs. Live shrimp or fiddler crabs on a jig head will get you the bite when they’re around. You will want to look for them around structure as they will be feeding on the barnacle growth. Typically the more barnacle growth you find, the higher the chance of some Sheepshead being in the area. We’ve been still seeing some Black Drum caught around the bridges on shrimp, fiddler crabs and cut pieces of crab. There have also been some nice sized Redfish that have been caught at the Stuart Causeway. Season is closed on Redfish in our area, but we have been seeing some solid upper slot and over slot sized fish. The Redfish can be caught on live shrimp, croakers, cut bait such as mullet or lady fish as well as crabs. 

The inshore Pompano fishing is starting to pick up for us here in the river which is similar to last year’s timing. There has been a good amount of them caught in the inlet over the past week by those both fishing jigs and those fishing bait. Those fishing bait are using a Pompano surf fishing rig with a pyramid sinker baited with either pieces of shrimp, sand fleas, clam or FishBites. You can also look at different style jigs such as the Gulfstream Redfish Jig as they have been working for the Pompano as well. If you are skipping Pompano and not getting bit on the jig, it’s never a bad idea to try bait fishing. There have been Pompano caught on the Sailfish Flats as well as by those jigging from the Jensen and Stuart Causeways. If you’re looking for them on the flats, look around in some of the deeper cuts around the islands as sometimes they will get up in those areas looking to feed. Those Pompano fishing are also running into Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Jacks, Bonefish, Ladyfish and more to stay busy. There have also been some schools of big jacks inshore cruising the channels and sea walls looking to feed if you’re looking for a battle!

Surf Fishing Report 

The Pompano fishing has remained steady and it seems more fish are starting to hit our beaches. Over the past few years, the March through April stretch has provided us with our best Pompano bite of the year. As we get into the spring Pompano bite, sometimes the afternoon bite can be more productive than the morning bite. So don’t be afraid to hit the beach in the afternoon if you can’t get out in the morning.  FishBites have remained to be the most consistent bait this year if you are targeting Pompano. The majority of the fish have been in the deeper troughs 80-100 yards off the beach. The hot flavors have consisted of Powerlime Crab, EZ Flea, Electric Chicken Crab and Pink/Flesh Crab. The Permit bite off our beaches has slowed down over the past month, but we really haven’t had the proper water color for them due to some of the swells we have been getting. The Permit will be more likely to be found when we have cleaner, clearer water conditions. We can expect to see the Whiting and Croaker bite to improve as we get into the spring months as well. Pieces of shrimp as well as Bloodworm and Shrimp FishBites will get the job done for them. There have still been some Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish caught from the surf by those throwing spoons in the morning. If you’re looking to get in on the surf fishing action and learn from a true pro, you can book a charter with Capt. Paul Sperco, you can give him a call at 609-903-8243.

Don’t forget, the 4th Annual Sand Spike Shootout is scheduled for March 23rd & 24th and the headquarters and weigh station for the event will be right here at the Snook Nook. The Sand Spike Shootout is a two day Pompano and Whiting tournament benefiting the Indian Riverkeeper and presents opportunities to win some great prizes. If you’re interested in signing up you can visit the following link to get registered, https://www.theindianriverkeeper.org/sand-spike-shootout/

Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

Throwing my 13 foot rods and pushing and pulling my loaded beach cart was not an option due to the the effort and chance of popping all of the stitches from my procedure area . However the motion of holding and reeling a 7 foot light action rod with a 3/8 ounce goofy jig on the end and standing in one position fit within the parameters of my restrictions . I hit the river this morning around the change of the tide and managed to put a few pompano in the cooler . Two of the fish were absolute studs and the fight they can give you on light tackle is definitely a thrill . The water on the beach cleaned up here on South Hutchinson Island and although the bite was slow today for a few of my friends there were a few fish taken . This is only going to get better as we near daylight savings time this weekend and both the surf and the river will be producing fish . I put the jig and teaser combo that worked today in the picture. Randy and I caught a ton of pompano last spring on that tri colored jig with the gold teaser . These tri colored jigs and the hard to find gold teasers are available at the Snook Nook in Jensen Beach and to be honest with you I have never seen them online or in any other tackle store that I have been in . I want to add some information about the jig . That is a Gulfstream Lures Jig . Corey Pagano , who is the owner of Gulfstream Lures reminded me of that as well he should have . His jigs have the best hooks of any pompano jig I have ever used and the hard finish keeps their appearance great . Snook Nook always has an inventory of all sizes . .