April 11, 2008
INSHORE:
Spring has arrived along the Treasure Coast. Even though we still have some windy days, the weather has been super for fishing the Indian River. Look for warmer water temperatures and hungry fish as the sun continues to shine down on us. I love April and May fishing!
Arthur Cary with a big jack crevalle caught in the Fort Pierce Inlet...
The trout bite was good one day and slow the next, but the trout we have caught have been healthy and nice sized ones. Soft baits have worked the best with DOA CAL jerk baits working great out there. We have been using some of this years new colors lately and they work! Queen's Cove and Bear Point have been the best spots for us recently. Anthony Penny took home a few for dinner this week.
Sean Conway also caught this jack crevalle in Fort Pierce...
Snook and redfish continue to haunt the flats. The bite has still been on the slow side, but look for it to turn loose any day as the water warms up. Most of the snook action has still been around the inlets and bridges with night anglers doing most of the fishing. I did get a good lesson from a snook this week around the docks of Fort Pierce. After making a 360 degree run around the dock, I was left with nothing but a leader. Fish the docks with soft baits like a DOA Shrimp and work it slow for your best chance at hooking up with a snook. Once hooked.......hang on and you are on your own!
April sunrise across the Indian River....
There has been some good grouper action around the river, especially around docks. We have been busted, bruised and battered by some of the big ones, but have boated several gags that were just an inch below the 24" mark. There have also been some big jacks around the inlets. Ian, Arthur and Sean were out on saturday and after being hit several times, Ian and Arthur boated some nice sized jacks for their efforts. Live pinfish has been the best bait to use. Bridges have been slow lately. The beach was like fishing in a sand blaster and the jetties were rough. But that's Florida in April, so you look for it to improve soon.
Tip of the Week: It's time for me to clean out the boat. Spring is here and spring cleaning is in the mind of many as they wait for winds to die down and wanting to get out on the water. You will be surprised at what you will find buried in the boat. Lures that you had given up on finding or that jacket you thought you had lost. And while you are going through organizing and cleaning.....check dates on flares and condition of fire extinguishers and life preservers. Safety equipment is important so make sure you have everything required and that it is in good working condition.
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!
Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852