December 20, 2006
Inshore:
It was a week of dodging wind and rain throughout the Treasure Coast. If you could dodge one.....the other would sneak up on you. If you didn't mind getting damp or wind blown....the fishing was great on the river! Water temperatures have dropped due to all the rain, but they should rise back up quickly. The fish still don't care if your are getting wet or not!
It's funny how the snook seem to know when the season is over and they can bite at will and be safe. We caught quite a few snook this week on the flats. Look for them to continue hanging off the edges of the flats in two to four feet of water. Where you can find a lot of bait, the snook will follow. Dillon and Vincent from Teen Anglers were on the boat with me on Sunday. They caught and released 8 snook up to 29 inches. Live shrimp, soft baits and twitch baits have worked the best. Any flats on the east side of the river, due to the winds, should get you a chance at a hookup.
We caught several trout this past week on the same flats with the same lures. Trout season will reopen on January 1st, so it's good practice for now. Live shrimp on popping corks work well during the winter months along with top water, soft baits and twitch baits. Most of the flats south of the Fort Pierce bridges should work along with Round Island and Harbor Branch to the north.
Redfish, again, were cruising the same flats this week. Dillon boated a nice 26" redfish to win the Teen Angler Middle School division and take the big fish award. He caught it on a live shrimp on a popping cork. The will also be taking gold spoons and twitch baits this time of year. Find the bait schools and they won't be far behind. Fish for them in two to four feet of water early and find them in the shallows as the sun warms up the water.
Lots of jacks and ladyfish still creating havoc among the bait. Lots of fun on light tackle for anyone. Vincent boated and released a four foot bonnethead shark this week on the flats. Croakers are being caught around the bridges and along the inlet. Some flounder are still being caught around the inlet area. Pompano have been spotty, but are in the river. Keep a rod ready with a small jig tipped with shrimp if you happen on them. Spanish mackerel and bluefish are still around the jetties. Not many reports from the surf anglers. The easterly winds have kept it pretty much blown out for now. There are still some hard core anglers out there though.
Tip of the Week:
Winter can bring lots of variables to fishing. Windy weather and temperature changes can make even the best day challenging. Fishing can be fantastic during these month if you are willing to change tactics and try something different. Look to deeper water to find fish as the water cools off. Try different lures or baits when the "old reliables" don't seem to be working. Be willing to try some different areas. Wind will dictate a lot of where you can find fishable waters, but on the Treasure Coast, there are always places that you can fish out of the worst of the weather. Have fun this winter!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!
Good Fishing and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Capt Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
