January Fishing Forecast
The past several years, January has been a cold month around the Treasure Coast. Hopefully 2013 will show us another mild winter and you won’t have to worry about the water temperatures as much this year. Fishing in deeper water will provide you with better results on most days. Working your lures and baits much slower will also give you more success. Fish tend to become lethargic in cold water and are slow in moving to strike at lures. Finding water that is a couple degrees warmer than the surrounding area can also give you an edge on finding fish. Water temperatures have been mild so far. We had great results last year on fishing deep sand holes on the flats that were being warmed by the sun. We will certainly be doing that again this year.
January is typically a windy month and it will continue the tradition if recent weather gives you an insight to the coming month. You might enjoy one or two days a week that is calmer, but expect it to be windy most days. Using the right ramps can make your day a little easier in dealing with the weather. There are many ramps around the area that allow you to launch depending on wind direction. The river can be rough some days, but you can still fish most days if you plan your trips carefully. It is a great month to fish in spite of weather conditions that might not be to your liking.
Bridges will continue to produce sheephead, black drum, croakers, sand perch and bluefish. Most of the anglers on the catwalks prefer live or frozen shrimp for these fish. The inlet and turning basin will be full of bluefish, jacks and mackerel this month. Live or dead bait on a jig head will give you plenty of action along with silver spoons or shiny lures. Around seawalls, channel edges or deeper structure you can find grouper for catch and release action in January. Snook action around the jetties and bridges will be active mostly at night for anglers using feather jigs, TerrorEyz and live bait. Snook closed on December 15th, so it will be catch and release for them
.
Redfish can be found around docks and sitting on the flats on warm, sunny days. DOA shrimp, Terror Eyz or CAL jerk baits work great for wintertime fishing. We had fantastic results around mangroves for redfish last year. CAL paddle tails in the 411 color were a hit with the reds. Docks will be loaded with sheephead in January with nice sized fish. They have moved in early this year and have been hungry! Pompano fishing will depend on water temperatures for their location, but they will be in the area throughout the winter. Surf anglers will be targeting these fish on days when the beach is fishable. Flounder should be found around the jetties on the beach side and on sand flats around the inlet. If you can find warmer water on the flats, you will most likely find trout feeding in those areas. Last year, we were rewarded many days as the sun would warm up a patch of water and get the fish actively feeding. Trout fishing in 2012 rewarded us with many big fish in the 25” to 30” range. CAL jerk baits and Deadly Combos were very successful on the trout, and 2013 should prove to be another good year. Ladyfish and jacks will be all over the river for fun action for the little ones.
January Tips: Dress for the weather. We might get one or two days each week that might be warmer, but most days will be on the cooler side. There can be a 30 degree swing in temperature on some days. Dressing in layers can keep you comfortable throughout the day in January. Once you become cold, it's hard to warm back up again. Keep yourself comfortable and enjoy some good fishing in January. Stay warm and safe and enjoy the winter!
Remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!
Have a wonderful 2013!
Thanks and Good Fishing!
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
Fishing Reports for Fort Pierce, Vero Beach and Jensen Beach, Florida. Inshore fishing charters on the Indian River Lagoon for redfish, snook and sea trout. Go to http://fishtalescharter.com for more information.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Monday, December 24, 2012
Happy New Year!
Inshore:
Eva and I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday Season this year and that 2013 is a great year for all! I had lots of old friends out on the water this past year and met lots of new friends, too. It was a fantastic year for fishing on the Treasure Coast. Looking ahead to fishing in 2013 with eager anticipation of lots of fun out on the Indian River!
This past week gave us a few different weather patterns to cope with, but most days were flat calm and warm. It was super to be on the water in such mild weather. We did have a short cold front move through the area, but it didn't stay long and the sun warmed things up quickly. It has been a nice week and we enjoyed the sunshine and fishing!
Martin was out with me on one of the few slow days on the river last week. He caught quite a few fish including sheephead, sea trout and the usual jacks and ladyfish. We did some practice on using DOA shrimp and CAL jerk baits around the river. Ron and Neil joined me the next day to find redfish and trout on the flats and docks. We found the sheepshead and black drum until the dolphin moved in and shut things down there. They hooked up on six nice redfish and boated three of them. Ron, Damian and Allie had a beautiful day to fish for reds and trout along with the usual mix of fish. They also hooked up on six reds and boated three. We all had a great time enjoying the water and the fish!
Trout have been hanging on the edges of the flats and sand bars in three to five feet of water. DOA shrimp is a great choice of lures for trout in winter. Our redfish have been hanging under the docks recently along the sheepshead and black drum. Ladyfish and jacks are everywhere and will keep the kids occupied and smiling. There has been a good sand perch bite around the bridges and the mouth of the inlet has been flooded with jacks, mackerel and bluefish this past week. Have fun and enjoy the fishing soon!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!
Good Fishing and Be Safe!
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
Eva and I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday Season this year and that 2013 is a great year for all! I had lots of old friends out on the water this past year and met lots of new friends, too. It was a fantastic year for fishing on the Treasure Coast. Looking ahead to fishing in 2013 with eager anticipation of lots of fun out on the Indian River!
This past week gave us a few different weather patterns to cope with, but most days were flat calm and warm. It was super to be on the water in such mild weather. We did have a short cold front move through the area, but it didn't stay long and the sun warmed things up quickly. It has been a nice week and we enjoyed the sunshine and fishing!
Martin was out with me on one of the few slow days on the river last week. He caught quite a few fish including sheephead, sea trout and the usual jacks and ladyfish. We did some practice on using DOA shrimp and CAL jerk baits around the river. Ron and Neil joined me the next day to find redfish and trout on the flats and docks. We found the sheepshead and black drum until the dolphin moved in and shut things down there. They hooked up on six nice redfish and boated three of them. Ron, Damian and Allie had a beautiful day to fish for reds and trout along with the usual mix of fish. They also hooked up on six reds and boated three. We all had a great time enjoying the water and the fish!
Trout have been hanging on the edges of the flats and sand bars in three to five feet of water. DOA shrimp is a great choice of lures for trout in winter. Our redfish have been hanging under the docks recently along the sheepshead and black drum. Ladyfish and jacks are everywhere and will keep the kids occupied and smiling. There has been a good sand perch bite around the bridges and the mouth of the inlet has been flooded with jacks, mackerel and bluefish this past week. Have fun and enjoy the fishing soon!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!
Good Fishing and Be Safe!
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
South Indian River Fishing Report 12/19
Inshore:
Hope everyone enjoys the Holiday Season! It's been a wonderful year of seeing old friends and making new ones on the water. Thanks to everyone for making this year a memorable one for Eva and me.
I guess somebody forgot to tell mother nature that it's the dry season on the Treasure Coast. We have had quite a bit of rain around the area, and we have been caught in it a couple days recently. We can always use the rain, but it could come at more convenient times... Water temperatures remain mild for this time of year and you can find lower to mid 70 temps on the river this week. It has the fish out feeding on the flats instead of sitting in a sand hole by the furnace.
Sheepshead are thick around the docks right now. Most days we only have to hit one or two docks to find enough for dinner. They are good sized fish, too. You can also find a few redfish hanging under the docks this time of year. Trout are out on the flats in three to five feet of water and willing to take a well presented DOA shrimp or the Deadly Combo. Young George from England caught a nice 21" sea trout while fishing with the family on vacation here. There are plenty of the usual jacks and ladyfish around the river to keep the young ones busy and smiling. We have found some short snook and slot redfish around the mangroves. I like to use a CAL paddle tail in rootbeer color around the mangroves for redfish.
You can find pompano scattered up and down the surf this time of year with the usual whiting. Bluefish are moving in now, so expect to catch your share of these toothy critters. Black drum have been around the bridges and docks of the river. We caught lots of small snapper on the flats this week. Spanish macks are hanging around the inlet and turning basin with the jacks, ladyfish and bluefish. It's a good mix of fish this week.
It will continue to be windy most days and cooler temperatures will be coming soon. Dress in layers when you head out and I guess the way the weather has been...keep a rain jacket handy, too. It has been very foggy, so be careful both trailering to the ramp and when out on the water. Have fun and be safe!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!
Good Fishing and Be Safe!
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
Hope everyone enjoys the Holiday Season! It's been a wonderful year of seeing old friends and making new ones on the water. Thanks to everyone for making this year a memorable one for Eva and me.
I guess somebody forgot to tell mother nature that it's the dry season on the Treasure Coast. We have had quite a bit of rain around the area, and we have been caught in it a couple days recently. We can always use the rain, but it could come at more convenient times... Water temperatures remain mild for this time of year and you can find lower to mid 70 temps on the river this week. It has the fish out feeding on the flats instead of sitting in a sand hole by the furnace.
Sheepshead are thick around the docks right now. Most days we only have to hit one or two docks to find enough for dinner. They are good sized fish, too. You can also find a few redfish hanging under the docks this time of year. Trout are out on the flats in three to five feet of water and willing to take a well presented DOA shrimp or the Deadly Combo. Young George from England caught a nice 21" sea trout while fishing with the family on vacation here. There are plenty of the usual jacks and ladyfish around the river to keep the young ones busy and smiling. We have found some short snook and slot redfish around the mangroves. I like to use a CAL paddle tail in rootbeer color around the mangroves for redfish.
You can find pompano scattered up and down the surf this time of year with the usual whiting. Bluefish are moving in now, so expect to catch your share of these toothy critters. Black drum have been around the bridges and docks of the river. We caught lots of small snapper on the flats this week. Spanish macks are hanging around the inlet and turning basin with the jacks, ladyfish and bluefish. It's a good mix of fish this week.
It will continue to be windy most days and cooler temperatures will be coming soon. Dress in layers when you head out and I guess the way the weather has been...keep a rain jacket handy, too. It has been very foggy, so be careful both trailering to the ramp and when out on the water. Have fun and be safe!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!
Good Fishing and Be Safe!
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
South Indian River Fishing Report 12/12/12
Inshore:
Mother nature provided us with a variety of weather patterns this past week, but mostly breezy days with some rainy spells in between. It's been warm this week and that means the water temperatures are good for fishing. We have found water up into the mid 70's on the flats. Have fun and get out fishing!
We have had a good variety of fish lately. Sheepshead seems to be the most prevalent bite this week. Bob and Chris caught a nice dinner of them on one of their days on the water. Chris boated a good slot redfish a couple days later in addition to a couple short snook and the usual jacks and ladyfish. Ron, Mike and Timberly had fun with a variety of species including redfish and trout. Gwen and Pat found sheepshead and trout to be the best bite on their adventure on the river. We had a lot of fun and the weather cooperated nicely, except one day that we got soaked before getting back to the ramp.
Our redfish have come from under the mangroves and docks this week. Trout have been in two to four feet of water and willing to bite on DOA shrimp for us. Try a Deadly Combo on the flats when looking for a trout bite. Snook around the jetties have been good for anglers seeking that last slot. Don't forget that snook season is closed as of December 15th. I see a lot of anglers slow trolling the channel edges for grouper this week. We haven't skipped any pompano lately, but they are out there. Talking to a few surf anglers, I hear that the beach hasn't been too productive this past week with a few whiting being caught and everyone in search of the pomps. If you have kids, the jacks and ladyfish are so thick that it's hard to get past them for the trout.
You will find sheepshead and black drum around the bridges and docks of the river. The power lines down by the power plant are always productive for these fish this time of year. Weather will continue to play a big role in fishing in December. Winds will be blowing throughout the winter and spring, but you can find a few days that will offer nice conditions to enjoy the fishing. It a great time of year to enjoy the water!
It's hard to believe that this year is almost gone. Time goes by so fast!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!
Good Fishing and Be Safe!
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
Mother nature provided us with a variety of weather patterns this past week, but mostly breezy days with some rainy spells in between. It's been warm this week and that means the water temperatures are good for fishing. We have found water up into the mid 70's on the flats. Have fun and get out fishing!
We have had a good variety of fish lately. Sheepshead seems to be the most prevalent bite this week. Bob and Chris caught a nice dinner of them on one of their days on the water. Chris boated a good slot redfish a couple days later in addition to a couple short snook and the usual jacks and ladyfish. Ron, Mike and Timberly had fun with a variety of species including redfish and trout. Gwen and Pat found sheepshead and trout to be the best bite on their adventure on the river. We had a lot of fun and the weather cooperated nicely, except one day that we got soaked before getting back to the ramp.
Our redfish have come from under the mangroves and docks this week. Trout have been in two to four feet of water and willing to bite on DOA shrimp for us. Try a Deadly Combo on the flats when looking for a trout bite. Snook around the jetties have been good for anglers seeking that last slot. Don't forget that snook season is closed as of December 15th. I see a lot of anglers slow trolling the channel edges for grouper this week. We haven't skipped any pompano lately, but they are out there. Talking to a few surf anglers, I hear that the beach hasn't been too productive this past week with a few whiting being caught and everyone in search of the pomps. If you have kids, the jacks and ladyfish are so thick that it's hard to get past them for the trout.
You will find sheepshead and black drum around the bridges and docks of the river. The power lines down by the power plant are always productive for these fish this time of year. Weather will continue to play a big role in fishing in December. Winds will be blowing throughout the winter and spring, but you can find a few days that will offer nice conditions to enjoy the fishing. It a great time of year to enjoy the water!
It's hard to believe that this year is almost gone. Time goes by so fast!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!
Good Fishing and Be Safe!
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
Thursday, December 6, 2012
South Indian River Fishing Report 12/6
Inshore:
Windy weather continues along the Treasure Coast this week, but you can find some mornings milder to get out and enjoy the fishing. We had a couple very nice days this week that the winds let up for a while and the mornings were gorgeous. Water temperatures range from the low 60's to around 70 degrees. The incoming tide is bringing in the warmer water and the sun is helping as well. It's a fun month to fish around the area and lots of species are in the river this time of year.
Sea trout have been the best bite on most days with a few short snook and redfish in the mix on the flats and around the mangroves. DOA shrimp and CAL jerk baits have worked great for us on the grass flats when using artificial lures. Snook at the jetties has been good this week on live baits, Bait Busters and jigs. You can find lots of mackerel and jacks around the inlet with bluefish hanging around them. Ladyfish and jacks are everywhere so plan on catching your share of them out there. Pompano are along the beach and in the river, but finding them can keep you busy. Most have been south of Fort Pierce this week. Sheepshead and black drum are along channel edges, bridges and docks. We even catch a few on the flats. The beaches will be holding whiting, pompano, jacks and bluefish with other predators hanging along there as well. You have a lot of choice when you are on the water this time of year.
Keep in mind that the winds will continue to blow most days and using it to your advantage can help make you more successful. You will see lots of boats using it for their drift across the flats. You can fish a large area to help you find where the fish might be holding. Tidal cuts, drop offs and channel edges are great places this month to fish. Fish will be more lethargic in cooler water and sit and let the tides bring the food source to them. Fish deeper water early and move onto the flats as the sun warms thing up during the day. Fishing your artificial lures slowly will also help in your success rate. It makes sense when the fish are cool and don't want to move around much. Have fun out there!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!
Good Fishing and Be Safe!
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
Windy weather continues along the Treasure Coast this week, but you can find some mornings milder to get out and enjoy the fishing. We had a couple very nice days this week that the winds let up for a while and the mornings were gorgeous. Water temperatures range from the low 60's to around 70 degrees. The incoming tide is bringing in the warmer water and the sun is helping as well. It's a fun month to fish around the area and lots of species are in the river this time of year.
Sea trout have been the best bite on most days with a few short snook and redfish in the mix on the flats and around the mangroves. DOA shrimp and CAL jerk baits have worked great for us on the grass flats when using artificial lures. Snook at the jetties has been good this week on live baits, Bait Busters and jigs. You can find lots of mackerel and jacks around the inlet with bluefish hanging around them. Ladyfish and jacks are everywhere so plan on catching your share of them out there. Pompano are along the beach and in the river, but finding them can keep you busy. Most have been south of Fort Pierce this week. Sheepshead and black drum are along channel edges, bridges and docks. We even catch a few on the flats. The beaches will be holding whiting, pompano, jacks and bluefish with other predators hanging along there as well. You have a lot of choice when you are on the water this time of year.
Keep in mind that the winds will continue to blow most days and using it to your advantage can help make you more successful. You will see lots of boats using it for their drift across the flats. You can fish a large area to help you find where the fish might be holding. Tidal cuts, drop offs and channel edges are great places this month to fish. Fish will be more lethargic in cooler water and sit and let the tides bring the food source to them. Fish deeper water early and move onto the flats as the sun warms thing up during the day. Fishing your artificial lures slowly will also help in your success rate. It makes sense when the fish are cool and don't want to move around much. Have fun out there!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!
Good Fishing and Be Safe!
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
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