12-15-2005, 09:48 AM
December 14, 2005
INSHORE:
Cold fronts come and go this time of year. The water is cooling off now and the fishing tactics will change as it cools down for winter. This past week bought both warm and cool weather along the Treasure Coast, but the fishing has held up nicely and there are lots of fish to be caught along the Indian River. The water is still dirty around the inlet areas, but clearing up much better as you get away from there.
The snook have been biting off and on at night this week. The north bridge in Fort Pierce has provided most of the action along with some of the docks along the inlet. Many are fishing the jetties with mixed luck. The flats have had snook feeding in early mornings and hitting on top water, like Top Pups, Spook Jrs. and Chug Bugs. Chartreuse has been the best color on the boat this week. Chad from Sarasota boated a nice slot size 27" snook on top water this week. There are also some hiding along the mangroves in 2-3 feet of water. We are still catching fish on the MirrOMinnow shallow water lures with great success. Snook season closes at midnight Dec 14th....so don't get caught tomorrow with one!!
Trout in the early mornings have been on the flats and chasing top water along with the live bait. Again try chartreuse or red/white colors on the flats. Largest trout this week was a 28" fat and sassy one caught with a MirrOMinnow. Soft baits will work along the grass flats for trout. Try the grass flats around Harbor Branch on either side of the river and also up by Round Island. Trout season opens January 1st!
Redfish were in numerous areas all week in the shallow water. From down around the power plant up to Round Island, there were slot size redfish cruising the flats. Gold spoons were working their usual magic on reds. Chad hooked up with a nice slot size and Kevin took second place in the Teen Angler Tournament with his redfish. We boated a nice 27" on a MirrOMinnow. Live shrimp and pinfish will also entice a redfish into biting. George caught his on a live shrimp and popping cork.
Spanish mackeral, black drum, croakers, bluefish, ladyfish and jacks are also in the river looking for an easy meal. Fishing around the bridges and rockpiles will help boat some of these fish. Fishing along the channels will find some also. Lots of fish out there now, so get ready and have some fun.
Tip of the Week:
Remember to use your sunscreen!! Cooler weather and cloudy days can play games with your mind and you just might forget to use that sunscreen. You can still get an unwanted sunburn this time of year! Take a few minutes and splash on some of that 15 or 30 weight to keep your skin protected from those nasty rays of the sun. You will be glad you did!
Have a safe weekend. Remember, fishing is not just another hobby.....it's an ADVENTURE!
Good fishing and be safe,
Captain Charlie Conner
email me at: [url "mailto:captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com"]captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com[/url]
visit my web site at: [url "http://www.fishtalescharter.com"]www.fishtalescharter.com[/url]
772-344-3187 or 772-284-3852 (cell)
INSHORE:
Cold fronts come and go this time of year. The water is cooling off now and the fishing tactics will change as it cools down for winter. This past week bought both warm and cool weather along the Treasure Coast, but the fishing has held up nicely and there are lots of fish to be caught along the Indian River. The water is still dirty around the inlet areas, but clearing up much better as you get away from there.
The snook have been biting off and on at night this week. The north bridge in Fort Pierce has provided most of the action along with some of the docks along the inlet. Many are fishing the jetties with mixed luck. The flats have had snook feeding in early mornings and hitting on top water, like Top Pups, Spook Jrs. and Chug Bugs. Chartreuse has been the best color on the boat this week. Chad from Sarasota boated a nice slot size 27" snook on top water this week. There are also some hiding along the mangroves in 2-3 feet of water. We are still catching fish on the MirrOMinnow shallow water lures with great success. Snook season closes at midnight Dec 14th....so don't get caught tomorrow with one!!
Trout in the early mornings have been on the flats and chasing top water along with the live bait. Again try chartreuse or red/white colors on the flats. Largest trout this week was a 28" fat and sassy one caught with a MirrOMinnow. Soft baits will work along the grass flats for trout. Try the grass flats around Harbor Branch on either side of the river and also up by Round Island. Trout season opens January 1st!
Redfish were in numerous areas all week in the shallow water. From down around the power plant up to Round Island, there were slot size redfish cruising the flats. Gold spoons were working their usual magic on reds. Chad hooked up with a nice slot size and Kevin took second place in the Teen Angler Tournament with his redfish. We boated a nice 27" on a MirrOMinnow. Live shrimp and pinfish will also entice a redfish into biting. George caught his on a live shrimp and popping cork.
Spanish mackeral, black drum, croakers, bluefish, ladyfish and jacks are also in the river looking for an easy meal. Fishing around the bridges and rockpiles will help boat some of these fish. Fishing along the channels will find some also. Lots of fish out there now, so get ready and have some fun.
Tip of the Week:
Remember to use your sunscreen!! Cooler weather and cloudy days can play games with your mind and you just might forget to use that sunscreen. You can still get an unwanted sunburn this time of year! Take a few minutes and splash on some of that 15 or 30 weight to keep your skin protected from those nasty rays of the sun. You will be glad you did!
Have a safe weekend. Remember, fishing is not just another hobby.....it's an ADVENTURE!
Good fishing and be safe,
Captain Charlie Conner
email me at: [url "mailto:captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com"]captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com[/url]
visit my web site at: [url "http://www.fishtalescharter.com"]www.fishtalescharter.com[/url]
772-344-3187 or 772-284-3852 (cell)