South Indian River Fishing Report 3/5

March 5, 2010


This ol' boy is sure tired of all the cold and windy weather this winter. I would love to enjoy a few days in the 80's! We have managed a few days out on the water this week. The rest of the week has been blown out and cold. Mother Nature just doesn't want to let Spring arrive on the Treasure Coast. Fishing has been great in spite of all these conditions.

Dennis McNeer and son, Garth, were out with me on a very windy day. The guys caught loads of sheephead and jacks from under the docks. It was just too windy to try anywhere else that day. Paul Hannum and 7 year old son, Jack, were out with me on one of the few beautiful days lately. Jack enjoyed his birthday present and caught more fish than he could keep count of. After lots of jacks and sheephead, we headed up on the flats to look for a few redfish. We were rewarded with a school of about 25 - 30 redfish. Jacks first cast ended up with his very first redfish....a fat 28" beauty. He caught three more in short order while dad caught one as well. It was a great week of fishing!

Trout are still hitting DOA CAL jerk baits and shad tails. You can also get them to his slow sinking hard baits. Redfish are a little nervous in the shallows, but if you keep a stealthy mode and keep your distance you can find some great action in a couple feet of water. DOA shrimp and CAL grub tails work great this time of year. Live shrimp around the docks can keep the jacks and sheephead hitting for hours. The river is still loaded with them right now.

Bridges have been steady with sheephead and a few black drum. The bluefish are all over the river, especially in the inlet areas. Shiny lures can get them hungry. Tackle shops are selling out of silver spoons this time of year. Mackerel are around the jetties and along the beach. Pompano are scattered in the river and along the surf. It a fantastic time of year in the river as long as the winds allow you to get to some of the hot spots. Bear Point, Harbor Branch and Round Island have all been good along with the many docks around the river. We should have a nice weekend to get out fishing.

Tip of the Week:
Don't forget to use plenty of sunscreen this time of year. Not only can the sun give you a good burn, but the winds can add to the problem. It takes just a minute or two to protect yourself from the suns rays. Lots and lots of brands out there, but get one that is waterproof and a good SPF rating. A little TLC can save yourself from skin problems down the road. Keep safe out there!

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

Good Fishing and Be Safe!
Captain Charlie Conner

http://www.fishtalescharter.com/
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

Seven year old Jack Hannum with two of his four redfish this week on the Indian River.

South Indian River Fishing Report 2/25

February 25, 2010

Another week flies by.....another week closer to Spring weather! We did manage some very nice days on the water between those windy ones. The fish continue to bite this week on the Treasure Coast. Weekly weather fronts will challenge you some days, but will offer a few days each week to enjoy the water. Plan your trips to cope with mother nature.

Sheephead, pompano, redfish and jacks were the main catches this week for our adventures. Frank Miller was back this year with a couple friend from up north. They caught lots of sheephead, a dozen pompano, too many jacks and seven redfish to finish out their day on the water. Bob caught most of the pompano on a bare DOA jig head. Pat Garrett was out with his sons, Noah and Eli, and the boys caught a boatload of jacks and sheephead. We headed up on the flats and Noah landed his first redfish. I managed to get out a few hours later in the week and found the trout bite had picked up. Some nice trout in the upper slot range are hitting DOA CAL jerk baits. I found the rootbeer colors to work best on the hungry trout. Bear Point, Round Island and Harbor Branch are good areas to try for redfish and trout....if the wind allows!

Bluefish and mackerel are still around the inlet and turning basin in Fort Pierce. Shiny lures have worked best for the toothy critters. Jacks are everywhere! No matter where we fished this week....you caught jacks. Bridges continue to produce sheephead, bluefish and a few macks. Live or dead shrimp works great on the sheephead. Most of the surf anglers are catching whiting, bluefish, jacks and a few pompano mixed in. It has been a good week on the water.

March Forecast:
As the next cold front moves across the area, you can expect the bite to pick up as the sun warms the water next week. Trout and redfish will continue to be active on the flats. You can find them on sunny days in one to three feet of water. I like CAL jerk baits on a 1/16th ounce jig head when fishing the flats. Move slowly and quietly to get close enough for casting. Docks will hold sheephead, redfish, jacks and small grouper. Try a DOA TerrorEyz or shrimp this time of year around the docks. Water temperatures will slowly begin to rise and you will find the fish becoming more active on the flats. Fish drop offs and the edges of the flats on the moving tides. Bluefish and mackerel will continue to feed around the inlet on the incoming tides. March is a great month to fish the Treasure Coast!

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

Good Fishing and Be Safe!
Captain Charlie Conner