ICAST 2024

 

From Todd @ Juno Bait Crew-Juno Beach

 INSHORE-  Overall inshore action remains fairly slow.  Catch and release snook fishing remains fair to good depending on the day and conditions.  A bulk of the snook are in and around the inlets, but no doubt a decent number will also be scattered in the ICW and Loxahatchee River.  Coming off the full moon, the snook will break out of the inlet and do a little more traveling.  Early morning and late afternoon generally will provide the best bet at the snook: With dock-light fishing also popping off (generally those fish will be a little smaller, but the numbers can be pretty darn good).  No great mangrove snapper reports inshore; but a few scattered ones will no doubt be around.  Generally the mangroves will bite a little better at night.  Sandperch action in the ICW has been pretty good, with small pieces of shrimp being the bait of choice. 

SURF/PIER-  A little wind late in the week has the beach stirred up a bit.  While the chop and slightly off colored water can make sight fishing snook (One of the most common things to go on this time of year) along the beach tough, overall it generally doesn't slow the fishing down much.  The snook have continued to bite pretty good.  When the wind blows a bit and the water gets stirred up; it's time to go to a touch bigger lure or something that makes a bit of noise.  It doesn't look like the wind really lasts long, and it should be back to normal conditions before long.  The Juno Beach Pier snook bite is still good.  Live baits will generally get the most bites when the sun is up higher, but don't overlook a swimbait early and late in the day.  The croakers and sandperch have been biting good at the pier late in the afternoon, with small pieces of fresh shrimp and FishBites being the baits of choice.  A handful of kingfish showing off the end of the pier late in the afternoon, along with a few bonita throughout the day.  

Sebastian Inlet Report with The SnookmanSebastian Inlet Report with The Snookman

 

 Catch-and-release snook and redfish top the list as the action picks back up 

“Good morning, Sebastian Inlet anglers and sightseers; I hope everyone had a great weekend. The weather was awesome, and so was the fishing! The action was all over the inlet, but the north side was the better spot due to the cleaner water. There were baitfish in and around the inlet over the weekend: finger mullet, greenies and pilchards, mojarras in the back, but still NO glass minnows in the surf that are usually present this time of year. They have been largely a no-show all along the beaches. The action at the inlet has been the catch-and-release snook, redfish, good catches of mangrove snappers, Spanish mackerel,  and a few hooked-but-not-landed cubera snappers. Here are your action spots: 

North jetty: Here, most of the action has occurred during early morning and late evening high tide cycles, and on the FIRST of the outgoing tide at the tip. Live mullet and croakers have been the baits of choice for catch-and-release snook and redfish. Most of the snook have been in the 34 to 40-inch range, which are the big breeder females; if you catch any of these big girls, PLEASE return them to the water as quickly as possible! They, just like us when they are worked too hard fighting to land them, have lactic acid build up in their muscles. They cramp and can't swim, and become goliath or shark food. Again, please return them as  quickly as possible. Also, the redfish being caught are nice, too, being in the 27 to 34-inch range, with some being bigger. Like the snook, return them to the water as quickly as possible.

Boaters fishing the tip of the jetty are doing very well with the snook and reds. If you can get good-sized live shrimp — which is kind of tough during the summer when they are small — they will work on the incoming tide for the snook and reds. During early high tide, anglers are catching Spanish mackerel on live greenies on the ocean side of the jetty. Around the pilings and rocks of the jetty on either tide, high being the better tide, mangrove snapper are around and being caught. Live shrimp, greenies either live or dead are the bait for them. Some sheepshead are possible as well on live fiddler crabs and cut shrimp. If you see any schools of finger mullet around, keep an eye out for schools of the big jack crevalles that will be following them. Big spoons, jigs and poppers will attract a bite from them. Moving inward toward the area between the jetty gates and bridge, the incoming tide has been producing mangrove snapper on greenies, live or dead, or cut. Small live croakers or mojarras have been producing catch-and-release redfish as well. 

South jetty: On this side, same thing. Most of the action occurs during the early morning, and late evening high tide cycles. Catch-and-release snook and reds are biting all live baits. The snook on this side are smaller than the north side, but still fun to catch! Mangrove snapper can be caught all along the rocky jetty/shoreline on live shrimp, greenies either live or dead/cut. Most of the snappers are still small, 10 or 11 inches, but larger examples are being caught. At the tip on the outgoing tide, same cast of characters as always, black margates, blue runners, jack crevalles, and a few mangrove snappers mixed in to keep it interesting. Not to mention the annoying catfish and puffers that are ever present with the dirtier water on this side. 

T-dock Area: Back here the action is still a little slow, but fish have been caught. Around the dock pilings and shoreline on either tide, angler are catching  small mangrove snapper and mutton snapper on live and dead greenies. Also, look for Spanish mackerel, using live greenies and small white or green jigs. Mullet schools are coming into the inlet again and attracting big jack crevalles which can be caught on big silver spoons and jigs tossed to the channel area. The snook fishing back here has been a little slow due to the dirtier water, but they are catching some on the incoming tide on live mojarras and croakers. And again, back here too, the pesky puffers are ever present! 

Surf Area, both sides: Again, same as last week: not too many people fishing at the beaches. Those fishing at the beach just north of the jetty where the water was cleaner told me they caught a few whiting and croakers, and an occasional catfish or two. South side, just a bit worse as the water was pretty dirty. Catfish, puffers and some small bonnethead sharks were caught. There has been a dearth of baitfish schools in the surf to attract much of what would be here along the coast for this time of the year. 

Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

 

It’s Saturday evening and I just finished filleting my catch from today . It won’t go down in my log as a “filled the cooler up” day but the catch was definitely a bit different . I only had a short window to fish this morning and fished from about 730 to about 930 . All in all I managed to catch around 15 fish , keeping 10 , but the 10 I kept will make for a great dinner . The first bite was an 11 inch mangrove snapper that I released to fatten up a bit but the second fish that nearly tore my little 7 foot rod out of my hand turned out to be a 13 1/2 inch mangrove . I caught a third mangrove that was barely 10 inches and released him to get a bit bigger .The Threadfins, aka “Clearnoses then made an appearance and put 5 of them in the cooler . Some croaker rounded out the cooler fish and I released a few sand perch and a small whiting . The Chartreuse/ Flesh/ Shine Shrimp Fishbites was the ticket today tipped with a small piece of shrimp . All of my bites came within 5 yards of the shore break and the key is finding a beach with a defined drop off in that first trough . A couple of my friends caught and released some snook this morning that they caught on live croakers .Off colored water with some slime weed has been the norm this week in the Jensen Beach area but these fish today didn’t seem to mind . If you have never eaten these threadfins you are definitely missing out . They are delicious.I use the pompano 11 inch rule on them even though they are unregulated as that size will produce two nice fillets . High tide tomorrow is around 8 am so prime time will be from 7 to 10 am . Hope everyone has a great Sunday, Good luck and catch em up .

Sebastian Inlet Report with The Snookman

 

 Lukewarm action, but snapper, snook, jacks and others possible

 The weather was good, but the fishing at the inlet has slowed down, largely due to stormwater clouding the ocean water combined with cooler water temperatures (dropping from 85 to 81 degrees along the coast). This is time of year; a thermocline usually arrives and cools the coastal waters. To that end, the fishing wasn't too bad, just slow. If you could find some pockets of warmer and cleaner water, you might just find some fish willing to play. Now for an update on the action spots:  

North Jetty: Most of the action I saw over the weekend, and last Friday when I fished it, was on the outgoing tide at the tip. There were quite a few big catch-and-release snook caught up on top on live baits, mullet and croakers, and some on the artificial shrimp jigs. Boaters were doing well on the live croakers. Most, if not all the fish caught were in the 34 to 40-inch range. Another species I heard about but didn't see, were the cubera snappers on live mullet at the tip. I heard of a few being hooked, but none caught that I'm aware of. I also saw anglers catching Spanish mackerel on the beach side — both tides on live greenies being freelined under a cork. The Spanish I saw were all in the 14 to 15-inch range. Mangrove snapper remain  slow and small, but they are around the rocks and pilings. Cut bait and live greenies are doing the trick for them. Schools of mullet that were there a week ago, have vanished again, so the big jacks and reds that were around chasing them have gone too. Along the rocks between the jetty and catwalk, the mangrove snappers are starting to show again. Cut bait and small live baits such as greenies and mojarras will entice a bite. Sheepshead are also a possibility in the area on fiddler crabs. 

South Jetty: There has been action at the tip on the outgoing tide. Cut baits such as mojarras and shrimp are accounting for black margates, small mangroves, blue runners, and an occasional jack crevalle. On the incoming tide along the rock shoreline between the bridge and the jetty, I saw mangroves caught Saturday. One angler I chatted with had just arrived, tossed a mojarra out and caught one about 12 inches long! Hadn't seen one of that size for a couple of weeks. I think he ended up with three like that. They are there, you just need to find them.  The south side has been dirtier than the north because of the SE winds and the surf picking up, but if you find clean water,  snook and redfish action are possible. Live croakers and mojarras are the baits of choice. 

T-dock area: Small baitfish around the dock have increased the fishing action here. Small, and some keeper-sized mangroves are being caught around the pilings, along the rock shoreline east of the dock, and around the cleaning table. Live and cut baits, shrimp and greenies are the baits of choice for this action. Spanish mackerel anglers should use live greenies either freelined, or on a cork float line. You should do well since there are some around the north jetty. Catch-and-release snook action is hit-or-miss due to the dirtier water, but they are around. Live baits, either mojarras or croakers will get a bite, incoming tide would be the better time to fish when the water quality is better. 

Surf area, both sides: Again, as in last week’s report, not much is going on as few are surf fishing  around the inlet. About the only thing I can suggest is to look for schools of baitfish in the surf. If you find mullet, cast net and fish them  or fish using a three to five-inch artificial swim bait;  that should get bit as well, around the mullet, and even the glass minnows that usually show up this time of year, but I haven't seen any yet in our area.

Well guys and gals, that's all I have for this week! Expect SSE breezes all week, which may churn things up a bit in the water clarity, but it should warm the water back up some. Grab your gear, bait, plenty of water, hit your favorite spots and see what you produce. You never know from day to day what might be biting at the inlet. Have a wonderful week.” — Snookman.

From Todd @ Juno Bait Crew-Juno Beach

 INSHORE-  Overall fishing is a bit slow inshore (as is normally the case in the middle of summer).  Catch and release snook fishing remains the best bet now on the inshore side of things.  Best snook action will be early morning and late afternoon, with approaching storms and key tide changes also firing the snook up.  A bulk of the snook will be in and around the inlets right now.  Look for the snook to bite in the inlets best on the last of the incoming tide and first of the outgoing tide.  Live baits will be best during the day.  Lowlight periods and at night the snook will bite jigs and swimbaits.  The snook have also been biting around the bridges at night.  Top of the outgoing tide will be the best bet for the snook.  A handful of mangrove snapper inshore right now.  Best bet on the snapper is to fish the tide changes at night.  Sandperch have been biting pieces of shrimp in the ICW.      

SURF/PIER-  Catch and release snook fishing along the beach and at the Juno Beach Pier has been good this week.  The snook seem to be getting out and cruising the trough in better numbers this week.  Early morning and late afternoon is a great time to target the snook along the beach.  Small swimbaits and bucktail jigs in natural colors (whiter and baitfish patterns) are great choices for the snook, especially in calmer conditions.  When the wind is blowing a bit and the water has some color to it a small swimming plug or twitch bait is a great way to go for the snook.  When the sun is up and slight fishing opportunities present themselves a small light swimbait or jig (or fly if that's your thing) is the best way to go.  At night a bigger swimbait of flair hawk will come into play for the snook.  The Juno Beach Pier has had a few bonita cruising through, and possibly a kingfish at sunrise or sunset.  A few scattered tarpon or jacks cruising through, but not in any real numbers to speak of.  A fair number of sand perch and croakers around in the first trough.  Small pieces of shrimp are the bait of choice for the croaker and sand perch.        

From Todd @ Juno Bait Crew-Juno Beach

 

INSHORE-  Catch and release snook fishing has been good inshore.  A bulk of the snook will be in and around the inlets; but still a decent number further inshore as well.  Best action on the snook in the inlets will be based on the tides.  For the fish further inshore the tide is super important, but also try to fish lowlight periods whenever possible.  The snook will also bite well at night around the bridges.  A handful of mangrove snapper reports inshore, but not huge numbers.  For best luck on the snapper try fishing at night.  Small live pilchards or shrimp will be the baits of choice for the snapper.  

SURF/PIER- Catch and release snook fishing fired off a bit this week, with the surf starting to come to life.  While the Juno Beach Pier has been producing good numbers of snook, it's nice to see the surf numbers pick up as well.  Best bet for the snook on the beach will be early morning and late afternoon.  A small twitchbait, swimming plug, or light bucktail will all be good lure choices for the snook cruising the beach.  Any type of small live baits (sardines, pilchards, etc) should all get lots of bites.  A bigger sand perch or croaker will be the way to go for getting bigger bites.  The Juno Beach Pier has been producing a few bonita and kingfish bites as well.  A few tarpon cruising the beach, though the numbers have fallen off pretty good on them.  Croaker are biting decent in the first trough.  Small pieces of shrimp will be the way to go for bait.  

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Sebastian Inlet Report with The SnookmanSebastian Inlet Report with The Snookman

North side of the north jetty has been the best bet, but the fishing is slow all around

Our fishing guide, "Snookman" Wayne Landry serves up a report of lackluster fishing this week: 

“Good morning, Sebastian inlet anglers. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Here we go with another adventure into what's happening at the inlet. The fishing was mostly sluggish due to turbid water conditions all weekend, but there was some action to be had if you found clean water. The north side was the cleanest, whereas the south side was the dirtiest. The north side held the action over the weekend from Friday onward. 

North Jetty:  The tip of the jetty on the outgoing tide was producing nice catch-and-release snook on live shrimp and small croakers. Also being caught at the tip on both tides were small mangrove snappers -  on cut bait, greenies and live shrimp - and mixed in were a couple nice sheepshead and spot tail pins. The snook bite on the incoming was non-existent, but they were there; you could see the massive school of them on the inside: water clarity was that clean on Friday. On the beachside, for those fishing cut and live shrimp, whiting and catfish were the action over the weekend, both tides, with a few small mangrove snapper around the pilings and rocks. Further up the way towards the bridge on the incoming tide, there were catch-and-release redfish caught on small live croakers and mojarras. A couple of guys I know fish that area, and they said that between the three of them they caught and released about 10 redfish. Also, along this shoreline, same tide, there have been some mangrove snappers being caught on live shrimp and cut bait. Saturday, I saw a huge school of mullet move down the beach, and with them was a massive school of big jack crevalle tearing them up! Unfortunately, nobody hooked up with any. So that's pretty much for this side. 

South Jetty: On this side on both tides, it was pretty much a total mess. The water was dirty most everywhere you went, especially during the incoming tide that sucked the dirty water back into the inlet, back to the t-dock and beyond. About the only fish I saw caught over the weekend were catfish, jack crevalle and blue runners, all being caught on shrimp, live or dead, and cut baits. I did see a couple of small catch-and-release snookies caught on the incoming tide along the shoreline where there were clean pockets of water. Live mojarras and croakers were the baits of choice. Also, along this shoreline area, mangrove snappers are possible in the cleaner water. Small live baits will do the trick for them. 

T-Dock Area: Back here it has been slow; few anglers fishing at all.  That doesn’t mean there aren’t fish, but if you find cleaner water on an incoming tide, snapper and snook are possible. Also, if there are a lot of the greenies back here, Spanish mackerel are a possibility too. Not to mention, with the schools of mullet coming in the inlet, the big jack crevalles should be around chasing them for some action. 

Surf Area, both sides: I haven't seen hardly anyone surf fishing, due to the low tides being in the morning. The few out there are catching catfish and a few whiting. The north side has been the cleanest area, and the south, like I mentioned earlier, has been a dirty mess.

Well, that's all I have for now. Looking for more immediate updates on the inlet action? The Inlet Bait and Tackle shop finally has a phone where you can call for fishing news and live bait availability. The number is 321-471-9489. Rose answers on Tuesday and Wednesday, while bait shop manager Erica, “The Snook Queen,” is there the rest of the week. If you call, tell them Snookman hooked you up. Have a great week everyone.” — Snookman.

Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

 

I worked at the Snook Nook this morning and the place was busy from open till I left at noon . Lots of anglers fishing this weekend from the river, surf, and offshore . As far as the surf is concerned I fished yesterday morning from about 730 to 930 and managed to put 20 nice whiting in the cooler and the photo I attached are the beautiful fillets from yesterday that will be my 4th of July Hutchinson Island fish fry. The bite yesterday was right after the high tide mark on the start of the outgoing movement. The small sand perch were a bit of a problem but I’m seeing that the whiting have been about 10 yards inshore of the schools of perch . A quick tip for the whiting and croaker is once you locate them keep casting to the same distance and area where you are getting the bites . I have been starting with a longer cast of 40 to 45 yards from the surface and if I don’t get any bites I start dragging my sinker and bait in 1 to 2 yards every couple of minutes . When you find them just keep putting your bait in the exact same spot . I also walk out of the surf and make a mark in the sand with my foot at the exact line where I was casting up on the dry sand area . You could be 10 yards away and never get a bite . Chartreuse Bloodworm And Chartreuse/Shine/ Flesh Shrimp Fishbites tipped with a small piece of shrimp continues to produce . Always try the first trough when you start your day to see if they are in that near shore area . Yesterday all of the bites came from 20 to 40 yards off while last Saturday all of the whiting were right at our feet 5 to 10 yards off . It’s a morning high tide for the rest of the weekend so stop at the Snook Nook, grab your Fishbites and shrimp, and go have some fun . Stay hydrated and bring the sunscreen. I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend.

Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

 

I have Danny and grandson Christian down here this weekend to do some surf fishing and the weekend started out less than spectacular with some sand perch and not much else on Friday but yesterday things got better . We managed to put a bunch of big whiting in the cooler and Christian fought, landed , and a released a slob of a snook that he caught on a live croaker . As has been the case this summer there was little or no action until about 45 minutes before the high tide mark . Once the first trough began to get some water the whiting started to bite . Find a well defined trough and some clean water and chances are you’ll bend some rods around high tide . Green Chartreuse Bloodworm and Chartreuse/Shine/ Flesh Shrimp Fishbites tipped with a small piece of shrimp was the ticket for the whiting. All of the whiting were caught within 5 to 8 yards from the edge of the surf . We were starting to pack up our gear when Danny saw a large swirl and commotion on the surface about 20 yards out. Christian grabbed a live croaker that we picked up from the Snook Nook and threw it out . The pickup was almost immediate and after a walk up and down the beach chasing the big girl he landed it , took a few pictures, and then released it . Time is of the essence when you play catch and release with these great gamefish so please get them unhooked and put back in the water after a quick picture . It was a great fish for a great kid and one that he won’t forget for some time . Conditions look pretty good for the upcoming week so fish the high tide and have some fun . Good luck and catch em up .

Snook-Nook Fishing Report

 

Our summertime Snook fishing is in full swing here on the Treasure Coast. If you’re looking to try to catch a trophy sized Snook, this is a great time of the year to give it a shot! There have still been good numbers of Snook schooled up in the inlet. Look for the schools around the south detached jetty, along the beach by the Hole in the Wall, in the Crossroads as well as on the beaches to the north and south of the inlet. Fishing live baits such as Croakers, Pilchards and Threadfins have been the most effective baits in the inlet. Some of the schools haven’t been as cooperative when it comes to getting bites from them, but if you find yourself in that situation, it is best to move onto trying to find the next school. We’ve been getting a steady supply of Croakers here at the shop and should have a steady supply throughout the summer weather permitting. Don’t be afraid to shoot out the inlet to fish some of the nearshore wrecks and reefs this time of year as they will commonly be found out there. Fishing bridges and docks in both the St. Lucie and the Indian River should result in a few fish as well. The concrete blocks underneath the causeways have been holding some big Snook, be sure to have some heavy tackle if you plan on going to battle there! There are also a lot of Goliath Groupers and you will occasionally find a Black or Gag Grouper mixed in with the Goliaths underneath those concrete blocks (keep in mind Gag Grouper season closed On 6/14).  When we get the high afternoon temperatures, the water will heat up a good bit as well. When that water heats up you will want to focus on areas with deeper water and moving current as the fish will tend to move to those areas. If you’re looking to fish in the evening into the night, the dock light fishing has been pretty good. You will see that the fish may feed more at night in the lights due to the water temperatures cooling down after the sun sets. Anglers fishing from shore can look to get in on some Snook action on the beaches, at the Jensen Causeway, at Indian Riverside Park, the Ft. Pierce jetty and wading north of the power plant in the mornings and evenings. At the causeway they have been feeding pretty consistently on shrimp and crabs that have been flowing through on the outgoing tides in the evenings. Free lining crabs or shrimp as well as fishing a shrimp on a jighead will give you a good shot at hooking up. If you are looking to fish artificials; NLBN paddle tails, Vudu or Thumper Shrimp and Yozuri Crystal Minnows have all been solid choices. 

With the crabs starting to flow through at the causeways, the Tarpon bite has really started to turn on. You will want to focus on fishing the outgoing tides if you’re looking to find them there. The Tarpon have been around during the daytime, evening and night outgoing tides at both the Jensen and Stuart causeways. You can free line a crab or free line a larger live mullet to give you the best chance at hooking up. Adding a float on your line isn’t a bad idea either to keep your bait up on the surface where the Tarpon have been feeding. There has been some steady Tarpon fishing just north of the inlet, primarily on the stretch from Bathtub Beach to Stuart Beach in the mornings and evenings. Fishing live mullet or threadfins have been the best options there. The North Fork of the river has been holding some Tarpon as well, if you’re looking to throw artificials, they love to eat a DOA Terror Eyz up that way! If you’re just looking to hook into a drag screamer, there have been plenty of big Jacks around too! 

There have been a few Redfish around mixed in with the schools of Snook at the inlet as well as at the causeways. Anglers fishing live shrimp have been able to pick away at Mangrove Snappers around structure here inshore. If you’re looking to weed through some of the smaller ones, fishing a small pilchard or pinfish on a jighead is a great strategy to catch some of the bigger ones mixed in when they’re around. We typically see our biggest Snapper here inshore during the summer months. Those fishing live shrimp have also run into Flounder, Sheepshead, Black Drum and a variety of other species. Keep in mind that July is typically the toughest time of the year to get live shrimp. The water heats up in the gulf and the shrimp will bury themselves in the mud to stay cool, when that happens our shrimpers aren’t able to catch them. The few shrimp that are caught are very small and face higher chances of die off on the ride over due to the warm water. Please be patient with us when it comes to the live shrimp as we are at the shrimper’s mercy, feel free to call the shop for updates when the shrimp supply becomes difficult. 

Sebastian Inlet Report with The Snookman

 

North side of the north jetty has been the best bet, but the fishing is slow all around

“Good morning, Sebastian inlet anglers. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Here we go with another adventure into what's happening at the inlet. The fishing was mostly sluggish due to turbid water conditions all weekend, but there was some action to be had if you found clean water. The north side was the cleanest, whereas the south side was the dirtiest. The north side held the action over the weekend from Friday onward. 

North Jetty:  The tip of the jetty on the outgoing tide was producing nice catch-and-release snook on live shrimp and small croakers. Also being caught at the tip on both tides were small mangrove snappers -  on cut bait, greenies and live shrimp - and mixed in were a couple nice sheepshead and spot tail pins. The snook bite on the incoming was non-existent, but they were there; you could see the massive school of them on the inside: water clarity was that clean on Friday. On the beachside, for those fishing cut and live shrimp, whiting and catfish were the action over the weekend, both tides, with a few small mangrove snapper around the pilings and rocks. Further up the way towards the bridge on the incoming tide, there were catch-and-release redfish caught on small live croakers and mojarras. A couple of guys I know fish that area, and they said that between the three of them they caught and released about 10 redfish. Also, along this shoreline, same tide, there have been some mangrove snappers being caught on live shrimp and cut bait. Saturday, I saw a huge school of mullet move down the beach, and with them was a massive school of big jack crevalle tearing them up! Unfortunately, nobody hooked up with any. So that's pretty much for this side. 

South Jetty: On this side on both tides, it was pretty much a total mess. The water was dirty most everywhere you went, especially during the incoming tide that sucked the dirty water back into the inlet, back to the t-dock and beyond. About the only fish I saw caught over the weekend were catfish, jack crevalle and blue runners, all being caught on shrimp, live or dead, and cut baits. I did see a couple of small catch-and-release snookies caught on the incoming tide along the shoreline where there were clean pockets of water. Live mojarras and croakers were the baits of choice. Also, along this shoreline area, mangrove snappers are possible in the cleaner water. Small live baits will do the trick for them. 

T-Dock Area: Back here it has been slow; few anglers fishing at all.  That doesn’t mean there aren’t fish, but if you find cleaner water on an incoming tide, snapper and snook are possible. Also, if there are a lot of the greenies back here, Spanish mackerel are a possibility too. Not to mention, with the schools of mullet coming in the inlet, the big jack crevalles should be around chasing them for some action. 

Surf Area, both sides: I haven't seen hardly anyone surf fishing, due to the low tides being in the morning. The few out there are catching catfish and a few whiting. The north side has been the cleanest area, and the south, like I mentioned earlier, has been a dirty mess.

From Todd @ Juno Bait Crew-Juno Beach

  Catch and release snook fishing remains the best bet inshore.  The hot weather doesn't bother the snook...the hotter the better!  By and large the biggest concentration of snook will be in and/or near the inlets; with both Jupiter and Palm Beach Inlets holding good numbers.  If the inlets fishery isn't your scene, the ICW and Loxahatchee River will be holding snook as well.  During the day the snook will be laid up under boat docks and along seawalls.  At nigh the snook have been holding around bridges and docklights.  Day or night be sure to fish the last of the incoming and first of the outgoing for best luck.  Having some moving water is key.  Other inshore action is on the slow side.  A few scattered snapper reports, along with a few decent sand perch catches.  

SURF/PIER-  Catch and release snook fishing has been very good along the beach and at the Juno Beach Pier this week.  Early morning and late afternoon as usual will be the best bet for the snook.  Along the beach small paddle tails, small bucktails, and smaller twitch baits will all be good lure choices.  Live baits will also be a good choice.  The Juno Beach Pier snook bite continues to improve.  Lots of fish around, and when the bait gets right they start chewing.  Just be careful with those big spawning females...they have the future in their bellies.  he Juno Beach Pier has also had a decent number of bonita, and a few scattered kingfish around.  Early and late is best bet for the kings, while the bonita will often bite throughout the day.  A mixture of blue runners, sandperch, and croakers have been hanging around the first trough, and are generally willing to chomp down some small pieces of fresh shrimp.  

Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

 

The conditions are supposed to improve and hopefully get us back on the beach . I’m sure some beaches have changed so be prepared to look at a few before you set up for a days fishing trip. We have am high tides this weekend and a full moon tonight , the 21st . I think we will find better fishing in the beginning of next week as we move away from the moon but I’m going to start looking tomorrow. The hour before high tide to the two hours after was the time frame that proved successful before all of this wind came on and I don’t think that’s going to change . The near shore snook catch and release bite was really starting turn on before it got too rough along with some good numbers of whiting and croaker . Chartreuse Bloodworm and Chartreuse/Shine/Flesh Fishbites tipped with a piece of shrimp was the ticket to success for the whiting and croakers and live croakers fished in the first trough was doing a number on the snook . Look for that to continue and if the bait schools are back moving down the beach the tarpon and big jacks will be showing also . An 8 foot rod with a 5000 or 6000 sized spinning reel should be your tackle choice . Don’t bring a knife to a gun fight !! I hope everyone has a great weekend, good luck and catch em up .P.S. The only location that I know of that has both the Chartreuse Bloodworm and Chartreuse/Shine/Flesh Shrimp Fishbites in our area is the Snook Nook . Tipping with a piece of frozen shrimp will work as well as cut up live shrimp also

Sebastian Inlet Report with The Snookman

 

The overall bite is improving as the flounder begin to arrive

Without further ado, here we go with the meat and potatoes of the fishing at the inlet. Fishing has picked up somewhat, not fantastic, but good enough to keep you interested and hopeful to catch something. Water clarity has improved on the incoming tides and the beginning of the outgoing tides, and it has warmed up again. This morning the coastal water was around 82 degrees, but should be around 84 degrees this time of year.  As things improve, anglers are catching several different species  throughout the inlet. Here’s the breakdown:  

North jetty: Fishing has been fairly good on the incoming tide, early morning and late afternoon. The summer flounder have made a presence on the beachside of the jetty near the rocks at the surf area, with a few being nabbed on live shrimp fished on the bottom. There were about three or four caught in that area, with one lucky angler catching one about three to four pounds, as displayed above. Nice fat fish! The others I saw were only in the 12 to 14-inch range — and remember that they must be at least 14 inches to keep. The mangrove snappers, some nice lookdowns and black margates were being caught around the pilings and the rocks at the tip. Again, on the incoming tide. There were some catch-and-release snook caught on live shrimp and small croakers. The outgoing tide at the tip has been producing snappers around the rocks. Live shrimp, small greenies and cut bait are the baits for them. There were also a few sheepshead and a couple black drum caught over the weekend on live and dead shrimp at the tip. Blue runners, jack crevalle and catfish round out the menu on the outgoing at the tip. I did see a couple of barracudas on the beachside looking for a free snack. June through August, when the water is warm, is when they will appear. You can fish for them with a tube lure, or a large live bait thrown right at them. Not too good to eat, but really fun to catch! 

South jetty: Over here, pretty much the same deal, incoming tide is the better time to fish. Along the entire rock shoreline, from the tip to the back, anglers are catching mangrove snappers, and catch-and- release snook. Live shrimp, live greenies or cut bait for the snappers, live croakers for the snook. Black margates and sheepshead are also being caught on shrimp and fiddler crabs. The outgoing tide at the tip is all about the jacks, margates, a few snapper, puffers and kitty fish. I haven't heard of any of the flounder over here yet, but that doesn't mean they are not there; just nobody fishing them. The north side has been better due to the cleaner water over there. 

T-Dock area: Back here, the fishing has really picked up quite well! There are a lot of the small greenies and tiny minnows all around the dock, and that has attracted the predators: mangrove snappers, mutton snappers, schoolmaster snappers, all of which are mostly too small to keep, but some do make the grade to be kept, just have to keep trying. Also, around I saw the commercial cast netting guys catching a lot of sand perch and black drum. Both can be caught on small hooks and cut shrimp. The best species being caught back here are the Spanish mackerel — live greenies either freelined, or fished on a small float is getting the job done. Most I saw caught were in the 14 to 16-inch range, nice fish! And as always, the pesky puffers are always biting. 

Surf Area, both sides: I haven't heard much from the surf anglers; the tide has been low for most of the day all last week, so few are out fishing it. Being the time of year it is, when you do go to the surf, look for schools of bait fish. If you find some, either cast net if they are mullet or fish them; if you find glass minnows, fish them with a medium-sized swim bait, or if you do have live mullet, toss them out. The possibilities of hooking something are good. This time of year, we have the sharks, tarpon, snook, redfish, big jacks, and quite possibly a cobia that are running up and down the beach. You never know what you might hook. 

From Todd @ Juno Bait Crew-Juno Beach

 INSHORE-  Catch and release snook fishing remains the best bet inshore.  Best action on the snook will be in and around the inlets (both Palm Beach and Jupiter).   At night the bridges close to the inlets will be holding snook.  The top of the outgoing tide will likely be the best bet for the snook.  With a full moon Friday night, the snook will no doubt have spawning on their minds. It's a great time of year to catch a monster snook.  Just a reminder take care of those big girls; they are carrying around our future snook population.  A few more mangrove snapper reports coming in.  Hopefully a little weather this week helped push a few more mangroves inshore.    

SURF/PIER- The Juno Beach Pier has been fairly productive this week.  Catch and release snook fishing continues to improve on a near daily basis.  The best snook bite has been late in the afternoon.  Depending on the day the snook have been eating either sand perch and croakers, or they have been floating in the pilchard schools.  With a fair amount of small pilchards around the pier is also holding a few jacks, occasional tarpon, blue runners, and bonita.  A live pilchard on flatline could produce bites from any of the above.  It's about time for a few more mangrove snapper to start showing up at the pier as well.  Croaker bite has been decent again this week.  Small pieces of fresh shrimp is the best bet for the croakers.   

Do You See What I See

 I've had quite a few pairs of glasses By Far This       Has Been My Favorite Brand.........

                         Made here in Florida

Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

 

Lots of bites this morning as the picture attached to this post was taken at the Snook Nook just before the filleting began . Catch was dominated by croakers but the whiting did show in the first trough as we were getting ready to leave . That’s been the pattern the past couple of days. Find a beach with a defined near shore trough and the whiting have been holding there . The majority of the croakers today were 30 to 40 yards off . Both of the Fishbites from my previous post got it done again this morning, Green Bloodworm and the new Chartreuse, Shine/ Flesh shrimp . . Lots of bait starting to show along the beach also . Get your light rods out and go have some fun . Good luck and catch em up .

Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

 

It’s 6 pm on Friday and if anyone was thinking about hitting the beach this weekend, get your gear ready . I fished the high tide this morning with a family friend and after trying a couple of spots I finally found some croaker, whiting , and thread fins that felt like biting . After loading up at Beaches like Glasscock and Stuart last week the body of fish that had setup at a few of those accesses had moved on . The wind event from last weekend has once again changed the first trough structure at numerous locations . Last week at Glasscock because of the sand that had moved in and filled in the trough you had to cast 30 to 50 yards from the beach to get any bites . Today a few of the beaches in the Jensen Beach area have a well defined drop off 5 to 10 yards from the Surfline and that’s where most of the bites came from until the tide started dropping. As it dropped longer casts were needed to keep locating the schools . I got an opportunity to use Fishbites brand new bait today, the Chartreuse/Shine/Flesh Shrimp bait . Fishbites has come up with another winner . The water was a bit murky and with the silver flecks that have been added to this great new bait I am sure it made a difference in attracting these fish . Snook Nook just got their initial shipment so stop by and give it a try . The Green Bloodworm and now this new bait will be in my bag this entire summer season . The conditions look pretty good right into next week and a morning high tide will be your targeted fishing time . I hope everyone has a great weekend and go catch a Hutchinson Island Fish Fry !! Good luck and catch em up .

Sebastian Inlet Report with The Snookman

 

Fickle fishing conditions with the close of snook season

“Good morning, Sebastian Inlet fishing fanatics! The weather sure was good, but not so much the fishing, again. As you should know by now, the conditions and the fishing at the inlet can change very drastically from day to day, as it did this past week/weekend. Last week, from Tuesday through Thursday, the snook bite on the north jetty on the incoming tide on live shrimp was really good, with quite a lot of fish being hooked, but most were lost due to breakoffs and the ever-present and hungry goliath groupers. I did see a few nice slot fish caught and kept but several undersized fish had to be tossed back.

Conditions during that period were good: clean, warm water (83 to 84 degrees, which snook prefer, and light winds). Then came Friday, the last day to keep a snook, and it all changed for the worse! ENE winds began blowing at 15 to 25 mph, the seas picked up, and the sargassum weed along with the ‘snot weed’ increased and made it difficult to fish. Water clarity disappeared and cooled down to 80 degrees. I only saw three or four snook hooked that day, early into the tide with only two landed that were too small to keep. In contrast, earlier in the week, at least 20 to 25 fish were hooked daily.  Around the rest of the inlet, baitfish are showing up; small greenies were caught on sabiki rigs and cast nets on the north jetty, along with finger mullet that are still around. The mojarras are still hard to come by; they are around, but you have to work for them. Remember, snook season is closed until September 1. It’s catch-and-release only (along with redfish). 

Here's the breakdown:

North jetty: Before the water clarity and temperature dropped, the mangrove snapper bite was turned on, and about a month early! Last week,  I saw many nice ones caught around the rocks and pilings on both tides. They’re generally small when they arrive, but these fish were in the 11 to 12-inch range! Pretty nice fish. Live shrimp and small greenies and cut baits are getting the bite. I saw a few mutton snappers caught, but too small to keep. They must be 18 inches. Anglers were also catching cubera snappers. Live mullet and chunk baits fished around the rock pile and pilings just might get you hooked up with one. Most of them being hooked have been lost to the rocks, as they are a pretty tough fish to get them out of the rocks where they hang out.

This time of the year when we have cleaner and warmer water, look for permit and the tarpon. Last week while I was down fishing I saw many tarpon heading out of the inlet and heading north up the beach. Most of the fish I saw were in the 30 to 50-pound range, but a couple of times I saw a few that would be over the 100-pound range. Redfish are a possibility also this time of the year on the outgoing as the small, silver dollar-sized blue crabs are coming out of the inlet, and they along with the permit are feeding on them. 

South jetty: Last week the snook bite was also impressive until Friday, when conditions declined similar to the north side did. The wind blew all the muddy water and weeds over here as well. Small croakers were the baits of choice on this side. Most of the fish were caught on the incoming tide and were undersized, but I did see when one of my friends and his group of 3 anglers have their 3 slot fish in the 29 inch range. Also, mangroves are around as well, and again they are on the 11 to 12-inch range. Same baits for the bite: live bait and cut baits are working. On the outgoing tide at the tip, they are catching black margates, blue runners, small jacks and an occasional pompano or two when the water is clean, along with the ever-present catfish and puffers. 

T-dock: The snappers are around the dock pilings and being caught on small live baits, and cut baits like shrimp and greenies. Most are smaller than what is being caught on the jetties. Mangroves, muttons and lane snapper are the species being caught. For those fishing with large silver spoons and the bigger bucktails, there are quite a few large jack crevalles in the channel area follow the schools of finger mullet in and out of the inlet. Small greenies are showing up around the dock, but it hasn't attracted any Spanish mackerel yet. 

 Surf Area, both sides: The surf has largely been blown out — rough and dirty due to the ENE 15-25 mph winds that persisted all weekend. Nobody fishing the beaches around the inlet, so no report on that this week. 

That's it for this week’s installment of ‘what's happening at the inlet.’ Expect calmer winds this week and, hopefully, clearer and warmer water to turn the bite back on! You never know unless you get out there and try. Have a great week.” — Snookman.

From Todd @ Juno Bait Crew-Juno Beach

 INSHORE-  Catch and release snook fishing remains good inshore.  The snook are getting into spawning mode; which has them headed towards the inlet and beach.  The snook will stop off at bridges and seawalls along the way.  Look for the snook to feed best on the top of the outgoing tide.  During the day the snook will be laid up under boat docks and along seawalls with some current.  A live mullet is a top bait choice for the snook during the day.  At night the snook are biting flair hawks and swimbaits well.  The tarpon have been hanging around Palm Beach Inlet in fair numbers.  A live shrimp is a top bait choice for the tarpon.  Other inshore action is a bit spotty.  The warmer weather should help get the mangrove snapper biting, though reports have been a bit slow on them this week.  A few scattered sand perch biting in the ICW.     

SURF/PIER-  A little slow overall on the beach and pier this week.  Catch and release snook fishing remains fair to good.  The Juno Beach Pier has been holding a bit more bait and that will get the snook more and more fired up.  Look for the snook to bite best early in the morning and late in the afternoon.  The tarpon have been pushing up the beach in good numbers.  Typically it's easiest to find the tarpon early in the morning in calm conditions.  A live pilchard or sardine is top bait choice for the tarpon.  If they are in the feeding mood a well presented fly or swimming plug will also get some bites.  A few scattered

 kingfish bites late in the afternoon at the Juno Beach Pier this week.  A good number of blue runners around this week.  Decent croaker fishing later in the afternoons as well this week.  Pieces of fresh shrimp is top bait choice for the croaker.    

Ed Killer / tcpalm South Fla. Report

Tarpon time for Treasure Coast when June comes along on the calendar

 Memorial Day is behind us which means we're entering the prime time of the year for tarpon fishing along our beaches. The fish will be moving mostly south to north following schools of bait like greenies, pogies, sardines and pilchards.

Look for schools of 15-100 fish moving in 20 feet of water. Instead of tarpon, you might see jack crevalles in schools of 30-75 fish tightly grouped in spawning aggregations or daisy chaining in circles.

For either, anglers can toss flies, live bait or even artificial shrimp to get hooked up. Be courteous to other anglers and boats. If you see a boat casting to a school, move up the shoreline another half mile. There will probably be another school there.

Moving a little deeper should put anglers in the zone for bonito, kingfish and sharks and maybe even an occasional cobia. Snapper fishing will continue to be steady. Snook closes for harvest June 1, don't forget. And gag grouper season is short this year — June 15 is the harvest closing date. Red snapper? No dates for Atlantic have been announced yet.

Florida fishing regulations and fishing season opening and closing dates:

• Gag grouper: Recreational harvest in Atlantic waters will be open May 1 through June 15, 2024. Harvest will then close for gag grouper from June 16 through May 1, 2025.
• Other grouper: Harvest opens May 1 in Atlantic waters. Includes red grouper, black grouper, scamp, yellowfin grouper, yellowmouth, coney, graysby, red hind and rock hind. Harvest closes Jan. 1, 2025.
• Snook: Harvest open through May 31 on Atlantic coast. Harvest closed June 1-August 31.
• Spotted seatrout: Harvest opened Jan. 1. Harvest closed Nov. 1-Dec. 31.
• 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.
• Flounder: Harvest opened Dec. 1, 2023. Harvest closed Oct. 15-Nov. 30.

• Indian River County

  Inshore: Snook fishing is very good from the bridges in Vero Beach, along the mangrove shorelines, around the spoil islands in Grant and Wabasso and near the inlet at Sebastian Inlet. Use live sardines or croaker, or swim baits to get bites.

• Freshwater: The best bass fishing has been at Headwaters Lake. It's been slow at Blue Cypress Lake and Garcia. Jigs and spinnerbaits work well, or wild shiners, circle hooks are mandatory. Reminder that the boat ramp at Headwaters Lake will be closed to all boaters from June 10 to June 20 for minor repairs, according to the St. Johns River Water Management District.

• St. Lucie County

• Inshore: Tarpon are starting to show around the Boils down the beach, around the mouth of the Fort Pierce Inlet and inshore as far as the Turning Basin chasing bait. In about a month, look for those tarpon in Big Mud Creek near the power plant. Snook season harvest ends June 1 and which is Saturday and will remain closed until Sept. 1.

  Surf: Capt. Paul Sperco of Capt. Paul's Surf Rigs in Port St. Lucie said the croaker bite was excellent over the holiday weekend with plenty of whiting mixed in. The key was westerly winds which helped blow the sargassum seaweed out. Cast to 30-40 yards with Fishbites bloodworm flavor in the green tipped with shrimp he said.

  Martin County

• Inshore: There has been good snook fishing throughout the lagoon and river system. Some snapper, drum and sheepshead, too. No discharges are helping the river recover, but there is always a cumulative degradation, don't forget.

  Lake Okeechobee

  Good bass fishing along Observation Shoal, around Harney Pond Canal, Sportsman's and in the Monkey Box. Try live crickets or red worms along Horse Island and Pearce Canal to get bites from bluegill and shellcracker.

  Ed Killer writes about fishing for TCPalm. Email him at ed.killer@tcpalm.com.