Friday, March 26, 2010

South Indian River Fishing Report 3/26

March 26, 2010


INSHORE REPORT:

Looks like Spring is gonna stay around this time. After one long, cold winter, we are finally enjoying nice weather. We will still have those windy days, but at least they will be much warmer now. We have had lots of fun out there fishing in spite of dealing with the winds. It's been a good week on the water.

Keith, Cai, Turner and Frank finished off their visit on Sunday. The boys ended up catching 200 bluefish, jacks, sheephead and other species during their annual fishing adventure on the Indian River. It was fun watching them reel in fish after fish. Henry Buzy and his group joined me for another day of exciting fishing around the river. Manny Rivera and Ken finished off the week with another fun day fishing around the Indian River. Lots of sunshine made it even more enjoyable.

The docks around the river have been the most productive areas along with the inlet and turning basin. Lots and lots of jacks are just about everywhere you happen to go. You would swear those fish are following your boat around the river. Sheephead continue to hang under the docks and structure. Live shrimp has worked well on those toothy critters. We are still getting some nice sized ones to bend the rods. Bluefish and mackerel are heavy around the turning basin and inlet. Silver spoons, live shrimp or DOA grub tails can get you lots of action. The trout bite has been improving on the grass flats. It will continue to get better as the water warms up. Fish two to five feet of water with a Deadly Combo, CAL jerk bait or live shrimp to get the trout action going. Bear Point, Harbor Branch and Round Island are always good spots to check out.

Redfish action will continue to get better on the flats. There have been lots of them around the river this year already and Spring should bring a good bite. Try around the docks and flats to the south of Fort Pierce using a CAL jerk bait or TerrorEyz. The snook bite should also begin to pick up with the warmer water. Handle them carefully and release them unharmed. Bridges have held sheephead, bluefish, sand perch and black drum. The beaches have been producing whiting,bluefish, pompano and some weakfish for the surf anglers. The fish have been cold for a long time and they are getting hungry now. It should be a great Spring around the Treasure Coast.

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

Saturday, March 20, 2010

March 19, 2010


In spite of many windy days lately, we have had lots of success out on the Indian River. Most of our fishing has been restricted due to the conditions, but we have found lots of fish out there to keep the rods bending. It's been fun, but also a challenge to get to some of our fishing areas. It should be a great Spring....if winter ever eases out of the Treasure Coast!

Chris Elmore and his party joined us for a day of fishing docks for sheephead, jacks and lots of other species. Rani Christie and his son found lots of action on a windy day out there. Bob, Mark and Tony were back again this year to catch lots of fish around the river. Keith Mullins and sons, Frank & Turner, were back again to give the boys a day full of great fishing in spite of the winds howling. It has been a fun, but blustery week!

Fishing docks will give you lots of sheephead, jacks, bluefish and maybe even some redfish. With a strong westerly wind lately, it give you a great opportunity to get to some of the docks south of Fort Pierce and enjoy some great fishing. Everyone this week enjoyed what the docks around the river have to offer. Live shrimp is always a mainstay around docks, but DOA shrimp or TerrorEyz will also get you in on some of the action. The jetties and turning basin have been loaded with bluefish, jacks and mackerel. Shiny lures or live shrimp will keep you busy. The redfish are shallow on the flats and will eat one day and turn their noses up the next. Frank Mullins caught his redfish around the docks.

The surf has been yielding pompano, whiting, jacks and blues on shrimp and sand fleas. The bridges are still producing sand perch, black drum, sheephead and blues. Live or dead shrimp is the bait of choice there. The trout bite has picked up for those who could get to the grass flats. DOA Deadly Combos are always a number one choice for trout. One of these days the winds will slow down and we will have a fantastic spring to fish the river.

Tip of the Week:

Keep your rain gear handy on these windy days on the water. The water spray can get you soaked if you are not prepared for it. I keep extra ponchos to keep customers and equipment dry when you are up against the winds. Don't forget to keep those phones and cameras in dry storage when running. Saltwater and electronics just don't have a good relationship!

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

Friday, March 12, 2010

South Indian River Fishing Report 3/12

March 12, 2010


Hopefully winter has left us and spring has decided to move into the Treasure Coast. Milder weather has put us back into a somewhat normal spring transition period. It's been one long cold season. The water temperatures will begin to warm up and so will the fish. It's a wonderful time of year!

We were able to dodge the winds and rains this week and get out on the good days. Richard Cosman and Aaron Swain were out with their parties and we found the fish very cooperative. Fishing docks has been very productive for a variety of fish including sheephead, jacks, bluefish and pompano. Redfish are shallow and feeding on the outgoing tides. We have found many hanging around the mangroves and willing to eat a live shrimp or DOA CAL grub tail. The trout bite is starting to pick up now that the weather has broke and the water will begin to warm up. Fish in 3-6 feet of water and expect them to move shallow as the sun rises each day. DOA jerk baits or Deadly Combos will work on the trout around the grass flats.

Bridges are holding sheephead, bluefish, sand perch and some black drum. Live or dead shrimp is always the bait of choice around the catwalks. The inlet has been filled with bluefish and mackerel. Of course, the jacks are everywhere right now. The next few weeks should provide lots of fishing action. The fish will become more active as the temperatures rise. It's an exciting time on the Indian River!

Tip of the Week:

I love springtime fishing. Top water lures come into play on mornings that the wind lays down. Fish will come shallow to feed and are more willing to strike. Once the sun comes up, I switch to jerk baits or shallow running hard baits. Continue to work the lures slowly as the water temps are still on the cool side. The water is very clear most days now. I like to fish the sand holes along the flats. Fish are traditionally lazy and will sit in the deeper holes waiting for the tides to wash their food to them. Casting beyond the sand holes and working your lures across them can be very productive right now. Have lots of fun this spring!

Remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!

Good Fishing and Be Safe!
Captain Charlie Conner

Friday, March 5, 2010

South Indian River Fishing Report 3/5

March 5, 2010


This ol' boy is sure tired of all the cold and windy weather this winter. I would love to enjoy a few days in the 80's! We have managed a few days out on the water this week. The rest of the week has been blown out and cold. Mother Nature just doesn't want to let Spring arrive on the Treasure Coast. Fishing has been great in spite of all these conditions.

Dennis McNeer and son, Garth, were out with me on a very windy day. The guys caught loads of sheephead and jacks from under the docks. It was just too windy to try anywhere else that day. Paul Hannum and 7 year old son, Jack, were out with me on one of the few beautiful days lately. Jack enjoyed his birthday present and caught more fish than he could keep count of. After lots of jacks and sheephead, we headed up on the flats to look for a few redfish. We were rewarded with a school of about 25 - 30 redfish. Jacks first cast ended up with his very first redfish....a fat 28" beauty. He caught three more in short order while dad caught one as well. It was a great week of fishing!

Trout are still hitting DOA CAL jerk baits and shad tails. You can also get them to his slow sinking hard baits. Redfish are a little nervous in the shallows, but if you keep a stealthy mode and keep your distance you can find some great action in a couple feet of water. DOA shrimp and CAL grub tails work great this time of year. Live shrimp around the docks can keep the jacks and sheephead hitting for hours. The river is still loaded with them right now.

Bridges have been steady with sheephead and a few black drum. The bluefish are all over the river, especially in the inlet areas. Shiny lures can get them hungry. Tackle shops are selling out of silver spoons this time of year. Mackerel are around the jetties and along the beach. Pompano are scattered in the river and along the surf. It a fantastic time of year in the river as long as the winds allow you to get to some of the hot spots. Bear Point, Harbor Branch and Round Island have all been good along with the many docks around the river. We should have a nice weekend to get out fishing.

Tip of the Week:
Don't forget to use plenty of sunscreen this time of year. Not only can the sun give you a good burn, but the winds can add to the problem. It takes just a minute or two to protect yourself from the suns rays. Lots and lots of brands out there, but get one that is waterproof and a good SPF rating. A little TLC can save yourself from skin problems down the road. Keep safe 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

Seven year old Jack Hannum with two of his four redfish this week on the Indian River.


Captain Charlie's Fishing Photos