South Indian River Fishing Report 9/11

September 11, 2009

INSHORE:

The annual fall mullet run has officially began around the Treasure Coast. Eager anglers have been hitting the inlets, beaches and river in anticipation of catching one of the big fish that will be feeding on the finger mullet. Tarpon, snook, jacks and many other species will be cruising along the beaches or cornering bait around the inlet and seawalls. It's a fantastic time of year!

Our week consisted of drifting the trout flats and skirting the many rain storms. Lots of rain this week has come early in the day, but you can fish north or south of the systems as they get blown in from the east. The result has been a great trout bite for the clients this week. Jim, Jim Jr. and John had lots of fun with the trout and snapper. Sandy, Lindy and Debbie just as much fun drifting the flats and catching trout after trout. Most were in the 15 - 22 inch range and they did lose a few bigger fish. If you just want to get out and have some fun catching a lot of fish.....head out to some of the trout flats. Live shrimp, pigfish and the Deadly Combo provided them with an action packed day on the water. The usual trout flats up and down the river have provided us with hours of fun!

The nighttime snook bite has been incredible in talking to some of the snook anglers this week. With all the mullet coming into the river, the snook are crashing bait all through the inlet. The hardest part of fishing for them has been finding spots that aren't overcrowded with people. Top water, diving plugs and feather jigs along with live bait have kept anglers busy on the moving tides. Redfish schools are still active on the flats, but with the higher tides this week it has been harder to spot them in the shallows.

Lots of snapper are still being caught on the bridges and channel edges of the river. Live or dead shrimp are working very well. Beaches will be very active, but right now the seaweed has been hindering the anglers. Look for the action on the flats to take off as the schools of finger mullet fill the river and bring in the predators. It's a fantastic time of year!

Tip of the Week:

We have done a lot of trout fishing the past couple weeks. An easy way to find the trout is to drift the flats. Anchoring will restrict the area you are fishing and the trout may be feeding just beyond your cast. I always start upwind of the area that I intend to fish. It's been a slow drift lately and that gives you a much greater area to fish. If you start catching trout, then anchor up and fish it more thoroughly. Sandy, Lindy and Debbie all found this out as we were drifting and all of a sudden all three ladies were on fish at the same time. Drifting in a zig-zag pattern can cover an entire flat and give you the greatest opportunity of catching fish. Drift with the wind or tide, angle back to start another drift above or below your last drift. It works!

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

Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner
http://www.fishtalescharter.com/
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

South Indian River Fishing Report 9/3

September 2, 2009


INSHORE:

Snook season opened with the usual anticipation of many anglers of catching that first slot fish on opening day. A number of midnight excursions had been planned and with lots of hope for success. We did manage a slot snook of 28", but that was this past Sunday and was released to battle another day. Afternoon thunderstorms have kept anglers off the water late in the day, but mornings have been fantastic and so has the fishing!

Tom Hull and Tom, Jr. were down to seek out some adventure and fun. Tom Jr. caught his 28" snook just as the first light was easing over the eastern sky. A quick release and we headed north to find some sea trout. Both dad and son caught a number of nice trout along with the usual jacks and ladyfish to fill out the morning. Lots of bait fish around the river have kept trout feeding around the edges of the bait pods. Live shrimp, DOA CAL jerk baits and top water lures can sure help you find the action on the flats this time of year. As the morning neared an end, we decided to look for some redfish to end the day.

Redfish have been schooling in good numbers on the shallow flats. Trolling motors will most likely scare them off before you can get close enough to cast. I poled the guys onto one of the flats and we began to look for signs of redfish action. Bait being chased and a few submarine wakes told me that we had some reds around the boat. As I continued to pole the boat further onto the flat, we could see big tails of reds feeding in the shallows. We don't often find tailing reds in the area, but this was a treat for both Tom and Tom, Jr. A number of casts ahead of the feeding fish soon found Tom Jr. hooked up on a nice Fort Pierce red. Using 6 pound line on his light tackle, he was in for a battle. Thinking any minute he might get broke off, the fish fought gallantly all the way to the boat. A beautiful 30" redfish eased up beside the boat for a quick photo and release. It was the end of their morning and we decided not to disturb the school anymore and left them for another day.

We had a family day this week. My wife, Eva, daughter, Dena, and grandaughter, Chloe, joined me at the ramp for a boat ride and quick fishing adventure for four year old, Chloe. It was hot out, but Chloe caught a little pigfish to bend her rod before we headed back home.

Snapper, black drum and sheephead are around the bridges. Lots of snapper are along the channel edges. Lots of good areas north of Fort Pierce have graced many a table with a delicious snapper menu. Harbor Branch, Queen's Cove and the Moorings have held some nice keeper trout. Snook fishing around the inlet and bridges will keep many anglers busy targeting a slot size fish this month.

Tip of the Week:
I always get excited to find redfish schools around the river. Finding tailing fish gets your blood pumping. Working a flat quietly and slowly can help you find more success. Trolling motors can easily scare the fish in the shallows. If you don't have a way to pole your boat, try getting set up for a slow drift across a flat. The less noise and movement you can make, the better your odds of finding fish. With the calm morning winds, spend some time watching and reading the water. Fish don't always make movements to give themselves away. Some very slight swirl or wake might be that trophy fish. Take your time and have some fun on the flats!

As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!
Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner
http://www.fishtalescharter.com/
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852