South Indian River Fishing Report 2/19

Inshore:

February has been a warm month with some record highs in many areas of the Treasure Coast. It has been a mild winter so far and Spring is almost here already. Water temperatures are in the low to mid seventies and the fish have been biting. Windy conditions are the norm this time of year so plan your fishing accordingly. Look for the rest of February to continue with these conditions.

Variety has provided us with some awesome days lately. I guess the best bite has been sheepshead which is typical this month. John, Wayne and Carroll were out with me this past week and found them cooperating. The guys caught over thirty sheepshead and most of them in one spot. Tim and Emily were out with me also and found a good assortment of fish in spite of the winds picking up that afternoon. Some nice drum along with sheepshead, lots of bluefish & mackerel and many other fish to make for a fun fishing day. Lillian, Mary and my wife, Eva, joined me for a quick morning trip. Again the variety makes for some fun fishing. The croaker bite has picked up with some nice sized fish out there. Great eating and they give a good fight.

Look for structure to be very productive this month. Sheepshead, drum, snapper and lots of other fish can be found around bridges, docks and channel edges. Bluefish, jacks and mackerel will be coming in with the tides and chasing bait. Tim and Emily caught lots of them on bare jig heads. Snook have been biting around the jetties, bridges and sea walls this week. Our trout have been in deep cuts this week. Redfish are hanging around mangroves and docks. The pompano are still in the river on the grass flats in three to five feet of water. Enjoy the fishing the rest of the month and get out soon.

Remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!

Good Fishing,
Captain Charlie Conner

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

February Fishing Forecast

February Fishing Forecast

Hard to believe that Valentines Day is just around the corner… Don’t forget your sweetheart and enjoy the fishing this month. Winter is well established, and you can expect weekly cold fronts to blow through the area bringing windy days and cool temperatures with them. Water temps will fluctuate this month and you must adapt to the changes for better success.

The trout bite has picked up and we are seeing more sea grass growing on the flats. I like to use a DOA Deadly Combo when looking for sea trout. Look for redfish around docks and mangroves. We have already had good success finding redfish this year and it should prove to be another banner year for them. Snook fishing will be best at night around the bridges and jetties. Live bait or a DOA Bait Buster will be good choices.

Sheepshead are plentiful this month. You can find them along with black drum and snapper hanging under docks or along channel edges. Live or dead shrimp always works well. It has been a good bite so far. Pompano can be found along beaches, in deeper areas of the grass flats and in channels. Doc’s Goofy Jigs are great for pompano with live shrimp and sand fleas good choices, too. Mackerel, jacks, bluefish and ladyfish will all be coming in with the tides and small shiny lures will work best for them.

We have enjoyed more normal winter weather and the fish bite has been good for us. Winds will still be blowing and the water will begin to gradually rise in temperature. Fishing your lures slowly will certainly give you more action on the river. Fish tend to be sluggish in the colder water. Be willing to fish deeper water if the temps drop below 68 degrees. Working your lures or bait slower along the bottom will give the fish more time to react to it and will result in more bites for anglers. Have fun this month and get out fishing

Remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!

Good Fishing,
Captain Charlie Conner

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