South Indian River Fishing Report 5/10

Inshore:

As we get into May weather, it's still blowing out there most days. Warmer temperatures are here to stay now, but the winds have yet to slow down. The rainy season is bringing much needed rain to the area and that means run off water draining into the rivers and bringing back the polluted waters into the Treasure Coast. Hopefully this year will bring about the change necessary to clean up the waterways. The water up around Fort Pierce has stayed pretty clean on the incoming tides. Watch the weather and enjoy the fishing this month.

Snook fishing has remained steady in spite of the recent full moon. Lots of jacks around the river to keep anglers busy. The mackerel have moved into the inlets and will hit small shiny lures. The Treasure Coast Casters had their last monthly tournament of the school year recently. The championship tournament will be held this month for the Treasure Coast Caster of the Year. I have Nick, Josh and Michael in the boat for the April tournament. We started off around the docks. Nick and Michael both landed sheepshead around the docks. After one short redfish, Josh lost a big red under the docks. Nick caught a nice pompano that wasn't on the fish list. We ended up in the turning basin and found the mackerel everywhere. The boys caught ten quickly and everyone had fish to check in for the weigh-in. Nick finished first place Middle School. Michael and Josh came in second and third place Middle School. It was another exciting tournament for all!

The water on the grass flats has been clean lately. The winds will stir it up some days, but it has held up nicely. It's time to get out the DOA Deadly Combo on the flats for trout and redfish. Awesome lure that will help you find where the fish are hanging out in the shallow water. Early mornings, try top water lures and then switch to the soft plastics. There have been a few tarpon filtering into the river. Try the DOA Terror Eyz in root beer to hook up with a tarpon. May is always a good month to fish and it should prove to be another productive month. Have fun and enjoy the May fishing!

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

May Fishing Forecast

May Fishing Forecast for the Treasure Coast

Inshore:

Finally, the windy months of March and April are almost behind us and we can look forward to the great fishing weather that May has to offer us on the Treasure Coast. Other than the usual windy days, it has been a pretty mild winter and spring has arrived. Look for warmer temperatures and little less blustery days. As the water temperatures climb, the fishing will steadily improve on the river. The water is already in the mid 70’s and that means the fish will be hungry. It will provide fantastic mornings for top water and lazy afternoons to drift the flats. May is one of my favorite months on the water!

Redfish will be our main target throughout the month of May. The past several years have bought us schools of slot sized redfish along the Indian River. Most of the fish we have caught have been in the 18 to 30 inch range. The mangroves have produced lots of redfish action again this year. They have been sunning on the flats and May gets their blood pumping and turns on the feeding. I always have three lures ready during May…DOA shrimp, CAL jerk baits and top water lures. Gold spoons and the DOA 2 ¾” shrimp will also be great additions to the arsenal when fishing for redfish. As the fish school up, look for them around the edges of the flats. Most of the river here on the Treasure Coast has been holding redfish and you should be able to find some on your favorite flats. I tend to enjoy the east side of the river, but we have found many on the west side as well.

Snook fishing in the early mornings will bring some rod bending action as they head up on the flats for an early morning or late evening meal. Top water lures (like the DOA PT-7), Bait Busters and DOA shrimp are all great lures to tempt a snook into biting. We have been broken off numerous times by big snook under the mangroves. Docks will also hold snook lurking around for an easy meal. Live shrimp is hard to beat around the docks. In the inlet areas, try around the seawalls and bridges with live bait, Terror Eyz, feather jigs or deep diving plugs. I love early morning for great snook fishing opportunities! Snook season will close May 31st.

Trout will continue to feed on top water at first light and live shrimp on popping corks during the day. As the sun rises, they will head off the shallows to deeper water in the two to four foot range. We have had some nice gator trout of late and should see some still big trout throughout the month of May. I have had great success with CAL jerk baits and Deadly Combos this year in place of live shrimp. If you are using live baits, try big shrimp or pilchards on the flats. Both sides of the river have been productive in early mornings. Winter fishing for trout has been good this year and spring should continue to give you some great action.

Bridges will hold the usual sheepshead catch, while snapper will be moving into the river along with flounder. Jacks and ladyfish will be patrolling the areas and creating havoc all over the river. Beaches will produce whiting with still a few catches of Spanish mackerel and bluefish along with the usual whiting. Tarpon will begin their trek into the river and you can start looking for them in the St Lucie River, Big and Little Mud areas and the channels of the river. May is a great month to fish the Treasure Coast….plan on a trip out on the river soon!
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
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852