While the weather continues to be mild, we have had a little more windy and cloudy days this past week. The winds can determine where you might or might not try to fish this time of year, but there is always someplace to enjoy the water and fishing. Look for more windy days ahead and plan your days around the weather forecast. If you didn't know it by now, the Melbourne radar has been down for a while so it's a little more difficult to watch for the chance of rain approaching.
Trout and sheepshead continue to be the best bite around the river lately. Of course, the jacks and ladyfish are all over the river, along with the dolphin looking for a free meal. We have had good luck using CAL jerk baits and shad tails in a variety of colors including root beer and glow. Fishing them slowly along the sand holes around the grass flats should help you locate the trout. Sheepshead have been everywhere, especially around the docks and bridges of the area. You can also find black drum in the same areas. Most anglers are using live or dead shrimp for these species. There has been a decent sand perch bite around the bridges this past week. The mangroves has held lots of short snook of late and that is great to see the upcoming generation out there in numbers. The inlet and turning basin in Fort Pierce has held bluefish, jacks and Spanish mackerel on the incoming tide. It's been a nice week to be on the water!
Spring won't be long in arriving to the Treasure Coast. It's been a very mild winter so far and there are just a couple months left for a chance of cooler weather. The water temperatures have been holding in the low to mid 70's so the fish are feeding and not trying to keep warm. There hasn't been much of a pompano bite yet with the warmer water and we will just have to wait and see how winter progresses. Enjoy the weather and the water and get out fishing soon!
January will bring in the big trout to the river and we should see more redfish the latter part of the month around the mangroves. Get your top water lures out for some early morning action on the flats. January is a fun month with so many species in the river to target. Have a great month!
Remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!
Thanks and Good Fishing!
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
