Saturday, March 16, 2024

Sebastian Inlet Report with The Snookman

 


Unseasonal conditions have tempered the action, but snook are possible

“Good morning, Sebastian Inlet fishing fans. Here’s the latest of what's happening at the inlet, and again, it will be brief as it hasn't been all that good. As long as these fronts move across the state and impact water clarity and temperature, fishing will be hit-or-miss.

Last week, mid-week, it warmed up to 71 degrees and we had a pretty good snook bite on the north jetty during the incoming tide and the last of the outgoing tide. Wednesday and Thursday there were quite a few  snook caught on live shrimp — most were over slot, but several were keepers. I also saw a few black drum caught as well on the same tide phases, live and dead shrimp for those. Outgoing tide was all about the blues and jacks, many caught on silver spoons at the jetty tip. Spanish mackerel were there, but were a hit-or-miss; one day there, next few days gone. Small jigs and gotcha lures for them.

The south side has been slow, the water on that side dirty from the SSE winds. Incoming tide was producing small snook on live baits and artificials. Outgoing tide at the tip was producing jacks, blues and black margates. Dead shrimp was the ticket for them. Over the weekend it was pretty calm, but NO fish were caught to speak of. It was crowded, but the water has cooled back down to 69 degrees this morning. The water is sandy/murky and shut everything down, again. The surf fishing on either side has also been slow due to silty, cool water conditions.


From Todd @ Juno Bait Crew-Juno Beach

 INSHORE-  Snook fishing improved a bit more this week with the warming weather.  Bigger baits and lures are starting to get more attention from the snook as well as their metabolism speeds up with the warming weather.  During the day it's a live bait bite around boat docks and points with current.  At night the snook have been biting well around bridges; especially on the top of the outgoing tide.  Outgoing tide is not as important as you move away from the inlet: With dirtier water both tides will get bites, it just needs to be moving.  Sheepshead action has pretty much dried up inshore.  A few mangrove snapper have started to show up inshore.  Live shrimp and small live pilchards are the top bait choice for the snapper.  Sandperch bite has also been pretty good inshore this week.  


SURF/PIER- Pompano fishing improved this week along the beach.  Ideal looking conditions going into the weekend so hopefully the pomps continue to roll through.  Reports seem to be a bit better off of Hobe Sound Beach; but a decent scattering of pomps up and down the line have been coming in.  The usual bait assortment (sand fleas, clams, shrimp, and FishBites) continues to do the trick on the pompano.  Not as many pompano on the Pier this week, but a handful have been caught on Doc's Goofy Jigs.  The Juno Beach Pier has had a pretty solid number of bluefish around the past few days.  Heavier metal lures (diamond jigs, Yo-Zuri Monster Shots, etc) have been the best bet on the blues.  A swimming plug like a Rapala X-Rap will also do the trick on the blues.  A scattering of Spanish Mackerel around the Pier as well, but not in the numbers of the past few weeks.  Spanish Mackerel action at Peck's Lake improved this week.  Croaker bite has been decent in the first trough; with fresh pieces of shrimp being the bait of choice.  



Sunday, March 10, 2024

From Todd @ Juno Bait Crew-Juno Beach

 INSHORE-  Warming stable weather has the snook biting better this week.  It's not full on yet by any means for the snook, but it is starting to get better and better.  With warming temps the fair hawk and big swimbait bite continues to improve; though the shrimp jig bite remains pretty good as well still.  Other inshore action is a bit slower.  Sheepshead action sowed a bit more this week.  Still some around; but no doubt slowing down on the sheepshead.  Wind out of the south will hopefully get a little push of springtime mullet coming through...will see what happens! 


SURF/PIER- Conditions have looked really good all week along the beach; unfortunately the fish have not really seemed to get the message!  A scattering of pompano around, but not big numbers.  Seems like the best pompano bite has been first thing in the morning.  Nice looking conditions headed into the weekend so hopefully the pompano reports improve.  A few scattered bluefish around, including some large ones; but not in big numbers.  A good number of Spanish Mackerel scattered up and down the beach.  The Juno Beach Pier has also been holding a decent number of Spanish Mackerel.  Fair bite on the croaker and whiting this week, with small pieces of fresh shrimp the top bait choice. 

Ed Killer / tcpalm South Fla. Report

 

Florida fishing regulations and fishing season opening and closing dates:

Snook: Harvest opens Feb. 1 along Florida's Atlantic Coast. Bag limit: One snook per day per angler. Size limit: No shorter than 28 inches and no longer than 32 inches. License: Anglers must have a valid Florida saltwater fishing license and $10 snook stamp.

  • Spotted seatrout: Harvest re-opened Jan. 1. Central East region regulations — Bag limit: 2 per harvester, zero captain and crew bag limit when on a for-hire trip. Slot limit: More than 15 inches and less than 19 inches total length. May possess one over 19 inches per vessel or, if fishing from shore, one over 19 inches per person, included in the bag limit. Harvest closed Nov. 1-Dec. 31.
  • Grouper: Harvest closed Jan. 1. Includes gag grouper, red grouper, black grouper, scamp, yellowfin grouper, yellowmouth, coney, graysby, red hind and rock hind. Harvest re-opens May 1.
  • Hogfish: Harvest re-opens May 1.
  • Cobia: Bag limit: Two fish per vessel. Size limit: 36 inches fork length. No closed season.
  • Redfish: Harvest of redfish has been banned in the Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon since Sept. 1, 2022. FWC will reevaluate in the future.
  • Lobster: Harvest will close March 31. No egg bearers, 3-inch minimum carapace length. Lobster stamp required. Sport season (mini-season) will be July 24-25, 2024.
  • Alligator: Hunt season opened Aug. 15-Nov. 1. Permits required.
  • Flounder: Size limit: 14 inches. Bag limit: 5 fish per person. Harvest closed Oct. 15-Nov. 30.
  • Bass: Bass at Headwaters Lake will soon become all catch-and-release.

For complete fishing regulations in Florida go to MyFWC.com.

Mosquito Lagoon

Sight casting opportunities exist for speckled trout, black drum and snook. Use caution when handling trout for release because this is spawning season and many of the females are full of eggs. Use live shrimp, jerk baits or artificial shrimp for best results

Surf

On beaches undisturbed by nourishment projects there has been a good number of sand fleas which lends itself to good fishing for whiting, pompano and croaker. Bluefish and Spanish mackerel can be caught on longer casts with jigs or chrome plugs.

Sebastian Inlet

The north jetty is open to anglers. Threadfin herring (greenies) are schooling around the jetties. Snook, redfish, black drum and jacks can be caught during the incoming tide around those schools. There have been some snapper caught around the T Dock.

Indian River Lagoon

Thousand Islands have been a good place to catch redfish and black drum along the mangrove shorelines. Toss live shrimp or topwater plugs early in the morning to get bites from speckled trout, small tarpon, snook and jacks.

Freshwater

There has been good fishing for speckled perch in many ponds and lakes. Use speck jigs with or without live minnows. Bass have been bedding along the edges. Use lipless crank baits or topwater frogs to get reaction bites.

  • report courtesy of Ed Killer  TCPalm's outdoors writer. 

Snook-Nook Fishing Report

 

There have been plenty of slot sized fish caught over the past few weeks. The water has been warming up a bit with some warmer weather in the afternoons so the Snook have been a bit more active and we have seen more productivity from anglers fishing live baits such as Croakers, Pilchards and Threadfins. Don’t be surprised if you start seeing more productivity later in the morning as the weather and water temps warm up. If you’re fishing right around sunset on a chilly morning, start out with your slower presentations such as live shrimp or work some soft plastics to increase your chances. We’ve seen some slot sized and over slots caught around the causeways and there have been some schooled up around docks in both the Indian and St. Lucie rivers. Those fishing the Jensen Causeway for Snook have still been doing well in the evenings focusing on the shadow lines. Artificial shrimp such as Thumper Shrimp and Vudu Shrimp along with paddle tails and flair hawk jigs have been getting thumped for anglers fishing lures. There have been some Snook and Trout caught north of the Jensen causeway on both the east and west side by those wading. There have also been some Trout mixed in with Snook in some of the dock lights. 

You can expect to still find some Sheepshead around inshore and on some of the nearshore patch reefs. Live shrimp or fiddler crabs on a jig head will get you the bite when they’re around. You will want to look for them around structure as they will be feeding on the barnacle growth. Typically the more barnacle growth you find, the higher the chance of some Sheepshead being in the area. We’ve been still seeing some Black Drum caught around the bridges on shrimp, fiddler crabs and cut pieces of crab. There have also been some nice sized Redfish that have been caught at the Stuart Causeway. Season is closed on Redfish in our area, but we have been seeing some solid upper slot and over slot sized fish. The Redfish can be caught on live shrimp, croakers, cut bait such as mullet or lady fish as well as crabs. 

The inshore Pompano fishing is starting to pick up for us here in the river which is similar to last year’s timing. There has been a good amount of them caught in the inlet over the past week by those both fishing jigs and those fishing bait. Those fishing bait are using a Pompano surf fishing rig with a pyramid sinker baited with either pieces of shrimp, sand fleas, clam or FishBites. You can also look at different style jigs such as the Gulfstream Redfish Jig as they have been working for the Pompano as well. If you are skipping Pompano and not getting bit on the jig, it’s never a bad idea to try bait fishing. There have been Pompano caught on the Sailfish Flats as well as by those jigging from the Jensen and Stuart Causeways. If you’re looking for them on the flats, look around in some of the deeper cuts around the islands as sometimes they will get up in those areas looking to feed. Those Pompano fishing are also running into Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Jacks, Bonefish, Ladyfish and more to stay busy. There have also been some schools of big jacks inshore cruising the channels and sea walls looking to feed if you’re looking for a battle!

Surf Fishing Report 

The Pompano fishing has remained steady and it seems more fish are starting to hit our beaches. Over the past few years, the March through April stretch has provided us with our best Pompano bite of the year. As we get into the spring Pompano bite, sometimes the afternoon bite can be more productive than the morning bite. So don’t be afraid to hit the beach in the afternoon if you can’t get out in the morning.  FishBites have remained to be the most consistent bait this year if you are targeting Pompano. The majority of the fish have been in the deeper troughs 80-100 yards off the beach. The hot flavors have consisted of Powerlime Crab, EZ Flea, Electric Chicken Crab and Pink/Flesh Crab. The Permit bite off our beaches has slowed down over the past month, but we really haven’t had the proper water color for them due to some of the swells we have been getting. The Permit will be more likely to be found when we have cleaner, clearer water conditions. We can expect to see the Whiting and Croaker bite to improve as we get into the spring months as well. Pieces of shrimp as well as Bloodworm and Shrimp FishBites will get the job done for them. There have still been some Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish caught from the surf by those throwing spoons in the morning. If you’re looking to get in on the surf fishing action and learn from a true pro, you can book a charter with Capt. Paul Sperco, you can give him a call at 609-903-8243.

Don’t forget, the 4th Annual Sand Spike Shootout is scheduled for March 23rd & 24th and the headquarters and weigh station for the event will be right here at the Snook Nook. The Sand Spike Shootout is a two day Pompano and Whiting tournament benefiting the Indian Riverkeeper and presents opportunities to win some great prizes. If you’re interested in signing up you can visit the following link to get registered, https://www.theindianriverkeeper.org/sand-spike-shootout/

Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

Throwing my 13 foot rods and pushing and pulling my loaded beach cart was not an option due to the the effort and chance of popping all of the stitches from my procedure area . However the motion of holding and reeling a 7 foot light action rod with a 3/8 ounce goofy jig on the end and standing in one position fit within the parameters of my restrictions . I hit the river this morning around the change of the tide and managed to put a few pompano in the cooler . Two of the fish were absolute studs and the fight they can give you on light tackle is definitely a thrill . The water on the beach cleaned up here on South Hutchinson Island and although the bite was slow today for a few of my friends there were a few fish taken . This is only going to get better as we near daylight savings time this weekend and both the surf and the river will be producing fish . I put the jig and teaser combo that worked today in the picture. Randy and I caught a ton of pompano last spring on that tri colored jig with the gold teaser . These tri colored jigs and the hard to find gold teasers are available at the Snook Nook in Jensen Beach and to be honest with you I have never seen them online or in any other tackle store that I have been in . I want to add some information about the jig . That is a Gulfstream Lures Jig . Corey Pagano , who is the owner of Gulfstream Lures reminded me of that as well he should have . His jigs have the best hooks of any pompano jig I have ever used and the hard finish keeps their appearance great . Snook Nook always has an inventory of all sizes . .

Friday, January 26, 2024

Ed Killer / tcpalm South Fla. Report

 



Florida fishing: Snook harvest season is about to open. Are you ready to take one home?

The wait for snook season to begin is almost over. A week away, depending upon when you read this, and we'll be able to invite home one of our favorite fish.

Feb. 1 will be the start date for snook anglers fishing along Florida's Atlantic Coast to begin keeping one a day. Season's end will be May 31. Note: Snook regulations are different for the Gulf Coast so be sure to check MyFWC.com for complete results.

To start the season, water temperature is still a little cool at many of the well-known snook spots. That will require using slightly different techniques. Here are three things to remember that might help:

  • Slow down one's presentation. Fish are cold-blooded and snook are tropical, so they're moving more slowly when they feed.
  • Fish deeper spots. Snook will seek deeper water to avoid more rapidly changing temperatures in shallow water.
  • Use jigs instead of topwater. Snook will be around bridge pilings, deep cuts near seawalls and at the foot of spillways. Jigs will get in front of snook. Fish the bottom of the water column.
  • Indian River County

    Inshore: Fishing at Sebastian Inlet features snook (all release until Feb. 1), black drum, flounder, Spanish mackerel and bluefish. Diamond jigs and Gotcha plugs will work in the upper part of the water column for macks and blues. Jig along the ICW channel in Vero Beach for pompano.

  • Freshwater: It's been very busy at Headwaters Lake for bass anglers, although the fish have not been cooperating. Vegetation is plugging the route into the south part of the lake. The road in has been a washboard, too.

    St. Lucie County

  • Inshore: A few boats have caught pompano south of South Bridge down to the Power Plant by drifting and jigging with Doc's Goofy Jigs or similar types of jigs. They are typically 1/8-ounce or 1/4-ounce in chartreuse or white. Snook anglers will target the Turning Basin and South Bridge with live mullet when season opens.

    Surf: It looks like the marine weather forecast for the weekend will lend itself for good fishing from the surf zone. Hutchinson Island beaches should have plenty of anglers fishing. Will there be whiting and pompano? Probably with the best fishing during the outgoing tide. Use Fishbites in the EZ Flea or crab flavor.

    Martin County

  • Inshore: Black drum, croaker, sheepshead, jacks and ladyfish are being caught around the bridges on cut shrimp.

    Lake Okeechobee

    It's been a good time to catch limits of speckled perch (specks or crappie) on small jigs and live minnows. This weekend, Major League Fishing will be hosting a bass tournament, so expect company in your favorite fishing spot. Weigh-ins and take-offs will be out of Clewiston.

    • report courtesy of Ed Killer  TCPalm's outdoors writer.