Lukewarm action, but snapper, snook, jacks and others possible
The weather was good, but the fishing at the inlet has slowed down, largely due to stormwater clouding the ocean water combined with cooler water temperatures (dropping from 85 to 81 degrees along the coast). This is time of year; a thermocline usually arrives and cools the coastal waters. To that end, the fishing wasn't too bad, just slow. If you could find some pockets of warmer and cleaner water, you might just find some fish willing to play. Now for an update on the action spots:
North Jetty: Most of the action I saw over the weekend, and last Friday when I fished it, was on the outgoing tide at the tip. There were quite a few big catch-and-release snook caught up on top on live baits, mullet and croakers, and some on the artificial shrimp jigs. Boaters were doing well on the live croakers. Most, if not all the fish caught were in the 34 to 40-inch range. Another species I heard about but didn't see, were the cubera snappers on live mullet at the tip. I heard of a few being hooked, but none caught that I'm aware of. I also saw anglers catching Spanish mackerel on the beach side — both tides on live greenies being freelined under a cork. The Spanish I saw were all in the 14 to 15-inch range. Mangrove snapper remain slow and small, but they are around the rocks and pilings. Cut bait and live greenies are doing the trick for them. Schools of mullet that were there a week ago, have vanished again, so the big jacks and reds that were around chasing them have gone too. Along the rocks between the jetty and catwalk, the mangrove snappers are starting to show again. Cut bait and small live baits such as greenies and mojarras will entice a bite. Sheepshead are also a possibility in the area on fiddler crabs.
South Jetty: There has been action at the tip on the outgoing tide. Cut baits such as mojarras and shrimp are accounting for black margates, small mangroves, blue runners, and an occasional jack crevalle. On the incoming tide along the rock shoreline between the bridge and the jetty, I saw mangroves caught Saturday. One angler I chatted with had just arrived, tossed a mojarra out and caught one about 12 inches long! Hadn't seen one of that size for a couple of weeks. I think he ended up with three like that. They are there, you just need to find them. The south side has been dirtier than the north because of the SE winds and the surf picking up, but if you find clean water, snook and redfish action are possible. Live croakers and mojarras are the baits of choice.
T-dock area: Small baitfish around the dock have increased the fishing action here. Small, and some keeper-sized mangroves are being caught around the pilings, along the rock shoreline east of the dock, and around the cleaning table. Live and cut baits, shrimp and greenies are the baits of choice for this action. Spanish mackerel anglers should use live greenies either freelined, or on a cork float line. You should do well since there are some around the north jetty. Catch-and-release snook action is hit-or-miss due to the dirtier water, but they are around. Live baits, either mojarras or croakers will get a bite, incoming tide would be the better time to fish when the water quality is better.
Surf area, both sides: Again, as in last week’s report, not much is going on as few are surf fishing around the inlet. About the only thing I can suggest is to look for schools of baitfish in the surf. If you find mullet, cast net and fish them or fish using a three to five-inch artificial swim bait; that should get bit as well, around the mullet, and even the glass minnows that usually show up this time of year, but I haven't seen any yet in our area.
Well guys and gals, that's all I have for this week! Expect SSE breezes all week, which may churn things up a bit in the water clarity, but it should warm the water back up some. Grab your gear, bait, plenty of water, hit your favorite spots and see what you produce. You never know from day to day what might be biting at the inlet. Have a wonderful week.” — Snookman.
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