South Indian River Fishing Report 8/30

Inshore:

We have enjoyed some fantastic weather lately along the Treasure Coast. It is still warm outside and the afternoon rains continue, but the mornings just cannot be beat when it comes to fishing. The weather patterns will begin the transition into fall and you will see the temperatures become milder as we head towards October. Fall fishing is at its best in September!

The fall mullet run is in full swing now and you can find a variety of species chasing them. Along the surf, look for tarpon, snook, jacks and bluefish to be hanging around the schools. Top water lures, DOA Big Fish lures or silver spoons work well along the beach. Around the inlet, you can find the same variety of fish there as well. On the flats, look for trout, redfish and snook while fishing the bait pods. Top water lures are excellent lures this time of year. Find one that resembles the mullet and work it around the edges of the schools. I like the 3 1/2" DOA Big Fish Lure or the CAL Airheads around the mullet. Fall is a fantastic time to enjoy the fishing along the Treasure Coast!

Most of the trout have come in two to six feet of water this week. DOA shrimp. CAL jerk baits, top water lures and live bait have accounted for most of the trout. Redfish can be found moving across many of the flats on the high end of the tides in one to three feet of water. There are schools of reds around the area this time of year, so keep your eyes open for them. DOA shrimp, CAL grub tails and live bait has worked well on hooking up with an upper slot redfish. We have found flounder on some of the sandy flats and you can still find plenty of snapper around the bridges, channel edges and docks of the river.

Snook fishing the bridges and jetties at night has been productive on the incoming tide. Feather jigs, Terror Eyz and live bait has been the best choices for anglers. The mullet run going off in the inlets and the bait is flooding into the river. The predators are moving in and the fishing will continue to get better as the fish will be feeding heavily the next few months. September is a great time of year to be fishing!

As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!

Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner

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

September Fishing Forecast

September Fishing Forecast

September is always an exciting month to fish along the Treasure Coast. Anglers eagerly await the arrival of the annual fall mullet run. The beaches and rivers will be filled with mullet and you can find lots of predators following the bait this month. Look for tarpon, snook, jacks, bluefish and many other species feeding on the mullet this month. Top water and suspending lures work fantastic in September. Try a DOA Baitbuster or Big Fish lure while fishing around the large schools of mullet. It's a great time of year to fish early mornings along the beach. The fish will be cornering the bait along the surf and action can be fun and exciting.

Snook season opens again on September 1st. Anglers have been patiently awaiting the chance at keeping a slot fish for dinner. A few things to keep in mind while you are anxiously getting ready for the start of the season are making sure your license and snook permit are not outdated. Know the slot size, which is 28” – 32” and a one fish per day limit. Check your rods, reels and fishing line. Don’t lose that keeper fish because of something that you could have avoided by a little preparation. Remember that there will be lots of anglers heading out the first several days of the season. Have fun and be safe!

You will be able to find some redfish schools this month as they gather up to head out to the ocean. Look around the shallow sandy flats for them to be feeding. DOA shrimp or CAL jerk baits can coax them into biting. Trout will continue to bite around the usual flats like, Bear Point, Harbor Branch and Round Island. Deadly Combos fished on the edges of the bait schools will find some action with trout and other species. Snapper can be found along channel edges and around structure. Sheephead, drum and snapper can be caught on the catwalks of the bridges. Live or dead shrimp will find these fish.

September Tip:
Fish the bait schools! It's easy to spot the bait this time of year. If you don't find bait around your favorite fishing spot, you will most likely not find many fish there. Move around if you need to in order to find active bait. Fish love this time of year and they are out there gorging themselves on the bait in anticipation of the coming winter months. Try a CAL Airhead or DOA Bait Buster around the mullet schools. Early mornings can be exciting on the flats. You can find big fish in shallow water around the bait pods. It has been a long hot summer and finally temperatures will begin to mellow out and water temps will get back to normal. It's a great time of year to be fishing!

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

Labor Day Safe Boating Tips

Holiday Safe Boating Tips

It’s hard to believe that Labor Day is just around the corner and that means lots of picnics, celebrations and boaters as everyone wants to enjoy the last holiday of summer. Holidays always bring out the usual boaters along with lots of new boaters and those that only go out a few times a year. A little common sense and preparation can make your holiday on the water a fun adventure and not a befuzzling mess. Here are a few common sense tips to help get you ready for that enjoyable weekend.

Prior to the Holiday:
1. Make sure all batteries are in good working condition and fully charged.
2. Gas up the boat.
3. Start your motor before you leave the house.
4. Stow as much gear in the boat before leaving the house.
5. Check the trailer early enough to have the time to repair lights, tires, etc.

At the ramp:
1. Get your boat ready BEFORE pulling into the launch area. (All equipment on board – tie off lines ready )
2. Back in - launch the boat - move the boat out of the ramp area - get parked and back to the boat.
3. Move out of the launch area quickly if you are waiting on others or getting things stowed..
4. If you have problems, get out of the ramp area. Don’t tie up others because your problems at the ramp.

On the water:
1. Know the rules of the road and use common sense and courtesy.
2. Don’t be aggressive on the water. Allow plenty of room to other boats and slow down around heavy boat traffic.
3. Remember, your wake affects others. Again, common sense and courtesy is the key.
4. Obey the laws! The signs are there for a reason, so just follow the rules and everyone will have an enjoyable day.
5. Don’t drink and drive! Have an experienced boater to be the designated driver for that day.
6. Courtesy goes a long, long way!!

Back at the ramp:
1. Don’t tie up a ramp while you get your vehicle. Most likely, someone is already getting their trailer and should have first rights to pulling their boat out.
2. Patience is a virtue….someone once said. Don’t be in a hurry. You will get your boat out, just wait your turn.
3. Pull well away of the ramp area when securing your boat and gear. Allow others the courtesy of pulling their boats timely.
4. Make sure everything is secure for a safe trip home from a wonderful Holiday weekend on the water!

Check with your local Coast Guard Auxiliary and take a safe boating course if you haven’t already….it will open your eyes to safe boating.

It’s nothing new or bizarre, just simple things to help yourself and others around you to have a great Holiday Weekend! Have a safe and fun Labor Day weekend!

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

Fishing this week with Captain Charlie

South Indian River Fishing Report 8/7

Inshore:

The heat of August continues along the Treasure Coast. Expect hot, humid days throughout the rest of the month. We have had a light breeze most days to take the edge off the hot weather for us. Rains continue each afternoon. What can you expect.....it's the rainy season.

The glass minnows have been flooding into the river, which is normal for this month. They are a favorite food for fish and fowl. Look for jacks, ladyfish, mackerel and bonito to be feeding on them around the inlet. It's a fun month for fishing the inlet areas. We have had some nice size mackerel lately. Small, shiny lures the size of the bait will help you have some fun! It won't be long before the fall mullet run begins and that will be another active time on the Treasure Coast. Snook season opens on September 1st so check your licenses and permits now to be ready for the opening. It's good idea to check you tackle, rods and reels this month and make sure everything is in good working order.

Our trout bite has been slower this month with the warmer water. Early mornings has been the best trout bite with top water or DOA shrimp. Fish grass flats two to five feet deep for best results. We have been catching a number of snook along the mangroves. All have been under slot, but a good fight since they are out of season anyway. Top water, CAL paddle tails or DOA shrimp will all work on snook around the mangroves. Redfish have also been under the mangroves staying out of the sun. Skipping your lure or bait under the mangroves is essential to getting a bite. I like to use the CAL paddle tail to skip under the mangroves. They are under the shadow lines and you have to get back in there if you want a bite. Snapper have been all over the river and many have been keepers lately. Docks, bridges and channel edges have all held good numbers of snapper. The inlet has been invaded by ladyfish, jacks, blue runners and other hungry species looking for an easy meal. Look for the glass minnow schools and you will find plenty of action, especially for the kids!

August is always a hot month. Keep hydrated and use plenty of sunscreen this time of year. Snook season opens soon on September 1st. Now is a great time to check your license and snook permit along with all your tackle and gear in anticipation for opening night. There are always lots of first night anglers so it pays to be prepared. Have fun and be safe out there!

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 8/4

Inshore:

This week is a mirror image of the weather lately. Lots of hot days with afternoon thunderstorms in the forecast each day. Its a typical August and you can expect lots more hot days ahead. Fishing continues to be good, but getting out early mornings will give you the best opportunity of the day. We have been getting back to the ramp by noon, right before the first storm of the day arrives on the Treasure Coast. Have fun and stay safe!

There has been a good mixed bag on the water this week. Snapper continue to be just about everywhere you fish. Lots of keeper size mangroves are around docks, bridges and channel edges for those looking for a good dinner fare. The inlet has been getting active with jacks, ladyfish and Spanish mackerel feeding on the glass minnow schools. Trout have been hanging on the flats at first light and willing to take a top water lure. Switch to DOA shrimp or CAL jerk baits once the sun rises. The trout will move to the deeper parts of the flats as it warms up. There have been some redfish schools scattered around the area in Fort Pierce. Work slowly across the flats and keep your eyes open. DOA shrimp is always one of their favorites.

I had the Fernandez family back for another fishing adventure. The twins, Daniel and Javier, had a good day of fishing with the guys. They caught trout, snapper, mackerel, sheepshead and a host of other species to make for a fun morning on the river. Chad and BJ joined me for a nice morning without rain clouds. After catching a variety of fish, they ended up with their limit of snapper to take home for dinner. It's been another fun week on the water!

Keep hydrated and use lots of sunscreen. It's hot out there and you don't want to get overheated. 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