Inshore Fishing:
Milder weather has been welcomed this week along the Treasure Coast. It has been breezier and the temperatures have been below 90 degrees most of the week. You can sense that the fall weather patterns are now fast approaching. Snook season has finally opened and I found lots of eager anglers that were planning on being out there on opening night. It should prove to be a great season this year.
I volunteered for the first Teen Angler tournament of the year. There are a lot of eager teens out there eager to fish and enjoy the water. I had CJ, Ashley and Michael on my boat. We had a lot of exciting action and the teens caught a lot of fish. Most were not on the fish list or too small though. Ashley weighed in two mangrove snapper and Michael had one keeper trout. They are all anxiously waiting for next months tournament. Got a boat and interested in volunteering?? Call Joe or Cammie Ward at 772-201-5770. You will enjoy it!
I had Shane, Lisa and 6 year old, Zack, on the boat later this week. It was on the breezy side, but we found enough areas to fish and the fish were hungry that day. They caught about forty fish which were mostly trout. About a dozen were slot size and they took home some nice fish for dinner. We lost a few bigger fish, but Lisa hooked up on a beautiful 29" snook that gave her a battle. We took a few photos and released it unharmed.....the day before snook season opened and we catch a slot fish! Young Zack caught his share of fish as well. It was a fun day on the water.
The trout bite continues to be the best action on the river. We have had very good success on the CAL jerk baits and shad tails. The trout can't seem to resist them when fished slowly along the bottom. I favor the Arkansas Glow or Silver Mullet colors for trout. On a 1/16th CAL jig head, you will certainly find some nice action this time of year. Live shrimp on popping corks or the DOA Deadly Combo is also a great way to fish the flats. I was fishing along with the Teens on their tournament and caught a 25" redfish and 23 3/4" gag grouper on CAL jerk baits.
Snook fishing is back in full swing. The jetties, bridges, docks and seawalls will all be fished hard this week. Live bait, TerrorEyz (rootbeer), feather jigs and diving plugs are popular for snook fishing. Top water lures or a DOA Big Fish Lure on the flats can help you find a snook patrolling the edges. Getting on the water early can also improve your chances.
There are still a lot of snapper around the river. Channel edges, structure and bridges have all held fish. Black drum and sheephead have also been caught in the same places. Whiting along the beaches has been a staple this year. You can find some tarpon, snook and jacks around the jetties feeding on the tides. Fall is always a great time to fish the Treasure Coast!
Tip of the Week:
When using jig heads on the flats, I like to use the lightest possible for the best action. Lighter jig heads let the lures move a little more freely and lifelike. A 1/16th ounce won't dive into the grass as much as the heavier heads. You can bounce them slowly on top of the grass and have much more success. Windier conditions might call for a heavier head, but try moving to a 1/8th head instead of the usual 1/4th ounce. Light tackle and the weight of the body can aid in getting a reasonable cast. Make sure to use a loop knot to give the lure the freedom of movement and making it more attractive to the fish. Have some fun out there!
Remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!
Good Fishing and Be Safe!
Captain Charlie Conner
http://www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
Lisa with her 29" snook, son Zack and dad, Shane, with one of his trout and Spencer with a trout he recently caught.
