What a crazy month for weather along the Treasure Coast. It was like being on a roller coaster ride with the ups and downs in temperature this month. Winds and rain made it a challenge each and every day out on the water. I am hoping that February is a little more kind to us! The only thing that remained constant was the fish bite. The fishing has been good for anglers, but getting the opportunity to fish was the key. Good luck in February!
Snook season opens February 1st and anglers have been preparing for opening day to get their first chance of 2014 to get a slot fish. Make sure you have check your license and snook permit! The inlets and jetties are a favorite area to target snook along with the bridges around the area. DOA Bait Busters and Terror Eyz are favorites around those areas for snook. Feather jigs and live bait are also high on the list. The big trout are in the river now. This time of year can produce big gator trout from 25" to 30". Top water lures, CAL jerk baits and DOA shrimp are favorites with trout anglers along with live bait. Fishing the sand bars and flats later in the mornings when the fish are sitting in sand holes to warm up can be very productive. We have been catching redfish around docks and mangroves lately. Most are 16" - 20" with some nice upper slots in the mix. I love seeing the juvenile reds this time of year. It's our summer crop that will be upper slot fish later in the year. DOA shrimp, CAL paddle tails and live baits are popular with fishing for the reds.
Docks and bridges have been loaded with sheepshead and black drum. A popular winter duo to target this time of year, they are always willing to eat a live or dead shrimp for anglers. You can find some nice size fish throughout the winter months. There have been lots of Spanish mackerel around the inlet and turning basin lately. They are some nice size fish in the mix and provide some tasty table fare for anglers. Small shiny jigs work best for the macks. We have even caught a few croakers and whiting in the river lately. It's been a good variety of fish to keep anglers busy.
Mark Amorello joined me for a morning and we found redfish and Spanish mackerel high on the catch list for us. Scott and Maurice was out on one of our many windy days, but caught fish everywhere we went to avoid the winds. We lost count of the species, but they landed pompano, whiting, croaker, drum and sheepshead to name a few. Tom and Casey joined me on a beautiful but foggy morning. It was tough to get around until the fog burned off, but they found drum, sheepshead along with several reds and snook in the mix. It was a fun week on the river! Keeping our fingers crossed for good weather in February!
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
