Inshore:
Cooler weather and lots of windy days along the Treasure Coast have made it a challenge to fish many days this week. Let's hope that this isn't a warning of another cold winter that is fast approaching. If you can get out of the wind, it's pretty nice out there and the fish have been biting most days. I guess it's time to find where I stowed the winter clothes!!
I was out with Ron, Mike and Tephanie mid-week on a windy day. We found both trout and black drum willing to eat. Once we found the trout, there was lots of action on the flats. Live shrimp and Deadly Combos are great on the flats for catch and release trout. We found our drum hanging along the mangroves. It will continue to be difficult to get out and deal with the winds, but worth it when the fish are biting. DON'T FORGET THAT TROUT SEASON IS CLOSED NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER...
We had our best luck on the east shoreline. Queen's Cove continues to be productive for us. Harbor Branch and Round Island can also be great areas to fish. I haven't been south for a while due to the windy days. Black drum and sheephead have been holding around the bridges, docks and structure along the river. Bluefish, jacks and mackerel have been feeding around the inlet and turning basin this month. Night anglers have been enjoying a good nighttime snook bite in this weather lately. A number of slot fish have been reported.
Flounder have been taken around the jetties and sand flats of the inlet. The surf has held whiting and pompano. Most of the pomps have been smaller, but there are some good sized ones out there as well.
Tip of the Week:
It's easy to complain and fuss about windy days. It can't be stopped, so use it to your advantage on the flats. East or west winds can give you one side of the river to fish and allow you to fish a large area. Northerly or southerly winds can give you more of a challenge. There is always some place to fish on the water. Use the wind to let you drift across the flats. I like to use either a drift anchor or small river anchor when drifting in the wind. You can fish an area in a zigzag pattern to find the fish on any flat. Use the river anchor to stop and fish an area that might be productive. Head into the wind towards the bank and drift with it across the flats. It will prove to be very productive out on the river.
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!
Be safe and good fishing,
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852