South Indian River Fishing Report 7/29

July can be summed up in three letters....HOT. It has been warm lately on the Treasure Coast and we can expect more of the same in August. With temperatures reaching the 90's on any given day, you must plan and prepare for each voyage on the water. Simple things like drinking lots of fluids and wearing a hat and sunglasses are important things to remember. Early mornings or late evenings will be the best times to enjoy the fishing and beat the worst of the heat. Stay safe and have fun out there!

We continue to have a good bite with a variety of fish on the river. Trout have been biting on the grass flats on DOA shrimp or live bait. Our redfish have come from under the mangroves or docks lately. You can find snapper all over the river with some nice size mangroves available around the docks and bridges on live or dead bait. Mackerel and jacks have been hanging in the turning basin of Fort Pierce feeding on the glass minnows. Snook fishing around the jetties has been good for night or early morning anglers. As more bait filters into the river, look for the bite to continue to improve.

I had Paul, Richard and Alyssa out with me recently. Everyone caught fish, but Alyssa had the best day catching trout, redfish, snapper and a host of other fish. Ron, Kip and Bella were out on a nice, but hot morning. With snapper biting like crazy, everyone had a fun day. Ron topped off the morning with a 24" trout and nice permit for dinner. I helped out with the Treasure Coast Casters Tournament this month. I had Kane and Tyler Bostic on the boat. The boys fished hard all morning. After many fish, the boys landed three nice snapper each for the tournament. Tyler took first place and Kane won second place in the Middle School Division. Congratulations to Colton Hester who had biggest fish for the tournament.

Be careful out on the water in August. Plan for hot days and afternoon thunderstorms. Get out early mornings or late evenings. Have fun and enjoy the fishing on the Treasure Coast!

Remember, as always, fishing is not just another hobby……it’s an ADVENTURE!

Good Fishing,
Captain Charlie Conner

www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

August Fishing Forecast

August Fishing Forecast – Treasure Coast

As summer continues to bring the daily chance of afternoon rains and thunderstorms, fishing will take the usual second seat to the opening of lobster season. It could be a challenge this year with all the fresh water run off flooding into the area. Visibility might be minimal in lots of areas. Expect lots of boats on the water each day as they head out in search of the spiny critters. Practice safe boating tactics and don’t be in a hurry to get out there. Those dog days of August will continue with hot weather, so take the normal precautions while on the water. Have a great August this year!

Trout and snapper will continue to be the best bite around the river. Top water lures, like the DOA Airhead, fished early, followed by a DOA shrimp or CAL jerk bait will be productive on the grass flats. Water quality will be the key this year on where to fish. Queen’s Cove, Bear Point and Harbor Branch are usually active with trout. South of Fort Pierce has held up well with all the rains we have had lately. Fish shallow early and move to the edges of the flats as the sun warms thing up each day. Look for sand holes on the grass flats. Trout love to sit in them and wait for the tide to bring their food to them. We have enjoyed lots of big trout this year on the flats. This month will provide great weather in the mornings for fishing the river.

Head out to the docks along the river for snook, snapper, sheephead and redfish. Some big fish will be hanging under the shady areas around many of the docks along the river from Vero to Stuart. Fish your lures slowly. If you use the tide in your favor, the lure will remain under the dock longer and give you a better chance at hooking up. Snook will be active around the jetties, bridges and docks of the river. Live baits, Terror Eyz and Bait Busters will all work well for you. As the rainy season continues, try some of the spillways when the water is actively running over them. A root beer Terror Eyz is a great lure around those areas.

Bridges will hold some nice snapper during the month along with some sheephead and black drum. The turning basin should become alive with glass minnows and a variety of predators to feed on them. Again the fresh water runoff will play a part in determining where to fish this month. Everything on the water loves to eat those glass minnows. Fish the edges of the bait pods and you should find some predators hanging out there waiting to feed. The edges of the channel will also be holding lots of snapper around any of the structure or rocks. It’s a great time of year!

Make it a point to keep hydrated and lathered up with sunscreen. Take those precautions early so that the end of your day will be as enjoyable as the beginning. Sunburn or sun poisoning isn’t any fun and can become dangerous to your health. Drink plenty of water or Gatorade. Have fun in August and good fishing!

Remember, as always, fishing is not just another hobby……it’s an ADVENTURE!

Good Fishing,
Captain Charlie Conner

www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

South Indian River Fishing Report 7/14

Inshore:

What a week of rainy weather! We dodged rain each day on the water and got cut short a few days when the storms rolled in early. It's been a wet week on the Treasure Coast! It's the rainy season, so expect afternoon thunderstorms to brew up each afternoon this time of year.

We are still finding a variety of fish to enjoy on the river this week. Snapper have been the best bite while fishing on the channel edges, grass flats, docks and bridges of the river. There have been some nice size mangrove snapper in the mix for those looking for a great dinner fare. They are willing to hit CAL shad tails or live shrimp most days. Our trout bite has been decent most days on the grass flats. The largest trout of the week goes to Jason, who landed and released a fat 25" gator. Jason and Darrell teamed up for three redfish to top off a good morning on the water. The largest red of the week was 24' that Jason boated and released. Capt. Pat Wells and his son, Ethan, was down to visit over the weekend. Ethan landed a variety of fish that included snook, trout, pork fish, lots of snapper and a grouper. Dave and Cody were back on the water with me and found lots of snapper along with a variety of fish to make for a fun morning. Irene, Susan and John were back for another fishing adventure. We dodged rain all morning on a shortened trip, but caught a good variety of fish in spite of the rainy weather.

With the warmer water, fish the shallow flats early with top water lures and move to the edges of the grass flats as the sun rises in three to five feet of water when looking for trout. DOA shrimp or CAL shad tails work great when trout fishing. Watch for the glass minnow schools out on the flats. They are super this time of year to help locate trout. Our redfish have been hanging under the mangroves and you have a chance at catching one any time of the day in those areas. There are lots of jacks around the river to bend your rods on when you find them. It's been a wet, but exciting week on the water!

Remember, as always, fishing is not just another hobby……it’s an ADVENTURE!

Good Fishing,
Captain Charlie Conner

www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

South Indian River Fishing Report 7/7

Inshore:

It's been very wet lately along the Treasure Coast. Not only the usual afternoon thunderstorms, but lots of rainy mornings have made it a challenge to get out and enjoy the water. We have dodged rain clouds and sought shelter from the lightning most days. Watch the conditions and don't take unnecessary chances on the water!

The fishing has been good for us with a variety of fish to keep anglers busy. Trout, snapper and sheepshead are plentiful around the river and some nice size fish can be had this month. Fish the grass flats early and move to the deeper edges or sand bars later in the morning. DOA shrimp, CAL jerk baits or live bait can help you find the bite on the flats. The snapper have been all over the docks, channel edges and structured areas, with some nice size fish available. You can find lots of jacks and ladyfish around the river for the kids. Snook fishing around the jetties has remained good for night anglers. July is always a good month to enjoy the fishing action.

July and August are hot months in the area. Some days will find very little wind and lots of warm temperatures. Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion can occur at any time of these hot days. Knowing the symptoms and what to do can help save a life. Here are some facts and tips to help you this summer on the water:

Heat Stroke/Exhaustion


With the heat of summer upon us, make sure you have a plan for an emergency. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion is always a possibility when out on the water.

SIGNS:
Heat exhaustion:
Cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.

Heat stroke:
Hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high-- as high as 105 degrees F. If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry.

TREATMENT:
Heat exhaustion:
Get the person out of the heat and into a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is conscious, give cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Let the victim rest in a comfortable position, and watch carefully for changes in his or her condition.

Heat stroke:
Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation. Help is needed fast. Call 911 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

Check out the Red Cross web site for more information: www.redcross.org Have a safe summer and enjoy the fishing on the Treasure Coast!


Remember, as always, fishing is not just another hobby……it’s an ADVENTURE!

Good Fishing,
Captain Charlie Conner

www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852