South Indian River Fishing Report 1/30

Inshore:

The Treasure Coast continues to enjoy mild winter weather with a few cool nights as the weekly fronts work through the area. Winds have picked up some this week, which is normal for this time of year. Water temperatures have been anywhere from the low 60's to the low 70's lately. Winter hasn't much longer to go this year and spring is about ready to take over. The fishing has been very good if you can get to your favorite fishing spots. It was a fun and exciting week on the Indian River.

The redfish bite has picked up just like last year at this time. We have found them around docks and under the mangroves. My favorite winter lure for redfish around the mangroves is a DOA CAL grub tail in the rootbeer/gold color. It is small enough to skip under the mangroves to get at them. If you are not under the trees, you won't find the bite. Mike "Mookie' Wilson from the Lakeland Ledger and Captain Melly B were out with me and doubled up on a couple nice redfish to end a good day of fishing. Capt. Melly, first, showed us the proper way of getting broke off by a redfish under the docks. Mike and Ellen found some nice reds under the mangroves and boated seven mid to upper slot fish on their adventure. Steve and Tom boated three and got broke off by several on a windy day for us. You can find lots and lots of juvenile snook around the mangroves and docks. We have caught them up to 24" this week. There is a fantastic crop of snook in the works to keep the population growing in the area.

You can find mackerel, bluefish, jacks and blue runners flooding into the turning basin with the tides now. Small, shiny lures will get their attention. The macs have been nice sized fish. The pompano have showed up at the mouth of the inlet in Fort Pierce this week. Just look for the fleet of boats and you will know exactly where they are. Sheepshead and black drum are still thick around the bridges and docks of the river. Many good size fish have been caught lately. We are finding trout scattered in areas of the river. Queen's Cove has been our most productive area this week. The DOA CAL jerk bait in the 371 color has found most of our trout. Look in three to five feet of water on the flats. The fishing has been good and the only challenge has been dealing with the winds. I love Fort Pierce this time of year with all the islands that provide productive fishing spots and cover from the worst of the winds.

Snook season opens February 1st so get things prepared and have lots of fun. Many anglers are out scouting their favorite snook spots now to get ready for opening day. Check your gear and make sure your license and snook permit is current. Then have fun and good fishing!

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

Thanks and Good Fishing!
Captain Charlie Conner

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

South Indian River Fishing Report 1/24

Inshore:

Mild weather conditions continue along the Treasure Coast again this week. Winds will keep blowing most days, but we have had a few days each week that it lays down and provides fantastic fishing weather for us. The cold fronts have been tolerable and the water temperatures have been anywhere from the mid 60's to the low 70's recently. The weekly fronts will drop the temps for a few days, but the sun warms them up again. We have enjoyed some great fishing action the past week.

Rene and her family were out with me on one of those windy days. They caught a variety of fish including sea trout, sheepshead and the usual culprits. Gus, Fred and Cam joined me on a calm day on the river to catch trout, sheepshead, drum, snapper and even a couple snook to make for a good day of fishig. Ed and Eric found a large variety of fish that included redfish, trout, drum, flounder and lots of other species on a calm river day. Dan got into some nice redfish and landed five of eight hookups on another windy day on the Indian River. It's great fishing out there!

Trout have been in three to five feet of water on the grass flats. DOA shrimp has been working great if you are using artificial lures. Our redfish have been along the west shoreline. CAL grub tails work great this time of year on the reds. We continue to find the juvenile snook along the mangroves. It's gonna be a good population this year. Sheepshead and black drum have been around docks, bridges and channel edges in very good numbers this month. Most anglers are using live or dead shrimp for them. Not much going on for the pompano fishermen. The cold fronts just don't cool the water enough for their liking so far this winter. As always, the jacks and ladyfish are everywhere right now. Jetty anglers continue to catch jacks, bluefish and Spanish mackerel on small, shiny lures. January is a wonderful fishing month!

Snook season re-opens on February 1st. It's a good time now to check your snook permit and license to make sure they are current. January will continue to provide windy days and great fishing action around the Treasure Coast!

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

Thanks and Good Fishing!
Captain Charlie Conner

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