From Scott@ White's Tackle - Ft Pierce

Inshore, the redfishing fired off yesterday!!!  I spoke with Tony Vercillo last night.  Tony caught 30 nice redfish most mid to upper slot.  Gulp shrimp were working their magic.  There are giant trout laid up everywhere right now.   It has been tough to get them to eat, but most have been in the 5-10 pound range.  I haven't heard or seen too many pompano lately but they should continue to push in with the cold water.

Sebestian

Took a day trip up to Sebastian Inlet today. The day started overcast and cool, but the water was pretty clean   accept for  all the  CATFISH and BLUEFISH  they made it hard to get any bait out on the bottom. The sky got much better and warmer about the last 2 hours of low tide, people started catching drum, sheepshead a few reds, small permit 10-11inches, a lot more bluefish and MORE catfish on the south side. The north side had so many people we didn’t try to go over there to fish, but I’m sure they and the same catfish and blues we had. Right before high tide turned into low we got a few flounder 13-14inches on the south catwalk, but then the tide turned and the current was too strong to drag a shrimp or mud minnow on bottom. Mid January-February the flounder will be making there way “BACK” into the inlet from their spawn. I made some good contacts on this trip, and I’ll keep you posted on whats biting up there.......

From Scott@ White's Tackle - Ft Pierce

Inshore has still been really good considering the extreme temperatures.  The red-fishing has been excellent and has produced double digits almost daily.  The big winter trout are schooled up in deep holes in the early and late hours, and are pushing up in the shallows during the heat of the day to warm up.  Gulp, mirror lure and Marsh Works soft plastics have been producing great results.  A super slow presentation is required to get the bite.  There are still some big redfish in the Ft. Pierce Inlet as well as plenty of bluefish, mackerel, and some nice flounder.
Have a great day!!!
-Scott

Pomps move, so should you

“Looking for pompano” ?  Look at the beaches a little south, of Juno Pier, they are moving with the warmer water. There have been fish caught off of Singer Island’s Coral Reef Park, and down by the PB inlet. I would bet the next stop is going to be Boynton Beach (note you can’t fish the jetties yet--March, April maybe-- but the north and south side of the inlet you can). Park in the south parking lot and its a short walk to ether side , I would even bounce a Capt. Joe’s pompano jig tipped with a piece of shrimp, off the back sea wall of the parking lot, I’ve caught them there before. On the beach you may want to use a double hook pompano set up with a 2-4oz. sinker to get it out there around the sand bar. The pomp guys use clams and sand fleas as bait. Fleas are getting hard to find because of the cold, so go with the clams. You can get them from Publix or a fish market, shrimp will work but some of these guys fish pompano **EVERY DAY** they are using clams.  “They talk, I listen”. As the weather and water warms up again’ the pomps will find their way back north looking for a meal, and if you want to catch them you got to move with them.

From Capt. Charlie-Fishing Center, Ft. Pierce

January Fishing Forecast

Well, it appears that we just might be in for another cold winter here on the Treasure Coast.  Night temperatures have plummeted into the 20's and 30's once again and that will certainly keep the water colder than normal for this time of year.  Hopefully, we won't see the fish kills like last year around the state.  We will be fishing deeper water for some time now, but action can be exciting in some areas of the river in January.  Water temperature is very important in January for your success on the river.

January is typically a windy month.  You might enjoy one or two days a week that are calmer, but expect it to be windy.  Using the right ramps can make your day better.  There are many ramps around the area that allow you to launch depending on wind direction.  The river can be rough some days, but you can still fish most days if you plan your trips carefully.  It is a great month to fish in spite of weather conditions that might not be to your liking.

Bridges will continue to produce sheephead, black drum, croakers and bluefish.  Most of the anglers on the catwalks prefer live or frozen shrimp for these fish.  The inlet and turning basin will be full of bluefish, jacks and mackerel this month.  Live or dead bait on a jig head will give you plenty of action along with silver spoons or shiny lures.  Around seawalls, channel edges or deeper structure you can find grouper for catch and release action in January.  Snook action around the jetties and bridges will be active mostly at night for anglers using feather jigs, TerrorEyz and live bait.  Snook will remain closed this year until September.

Redfish can be found around docks and sitting on the flats on warm, sunny days.  DOA shrimp or CAL jerk baits work great for wintertime fishing.  Docks will be loaded with sheephead in January with nice sized fish.  Pompano fishing will depend on water temperatures for their location, but they will be in the area throughout the winter.  Surf anglers will be targeting these fish on days when the beach is fishable.  Flounder should be found around the jetties on the beach side and on sand flats around the inlet.  If you can find warmer water on the flats, you will most likely find trout feeding in those areas.  Last year, we were rewarded many days as the sun would warm up a patch of water and get the fish actively feeding.  CAL jerk baits were very successful on the trout.  Ladyfish will be all over the river for fun action for the little ones.

January Tips:  Dress for the weather.  We might get one or two days each week that might be warmer, but most days will be on the cooler side.  There can be a 30 degree swing in temperature on some days.  Dressing in layers can keep you comfortable throughout the day in January.  Once you become cold, it's hard to warm back up again.  Keep yourself comfortable and enjoy some good fishing in January.  Stay warm and safe and enjoy the winter!

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

From Henry @ Snook Nook-Jensen Beach

  Surf anglers found plenty of Blues using cut baits and spoons and any time was a good time, now if we could turn off the wind.  Had reports of Blue Fish all day, it is good that some species like the cooler temps because I don’t.  Pompano have been scattered, with all the Blues in I would scatter also, Tiger Shores and Virginia Forrest are the two access point that have held Pompano most of the day.  Whiting, a few but most are targeting the Blues and Pompano not much pressure on these fish.

            Red Fish have been in the Power Plant area, right up in the mangroves, shrimp on a jig head has been the preferred bait.  Because of the cooler water wait till the sun has been up, it will warm that skinny water and then the fish will move in.  Clear water make for sight fishing, problem, if you can see them they can see you, stay in the channel watch for activity then move in.  Trout season is still closed, pesky fish, but the first is right around the corner and then we will see.  Would like to have great report on Pompano but I would have to see some anglers and it has been less than polite, thank you weather man, they have to be there just that we don’t. 

           Till next week I will be praying for warm weather, “Happy New Year”……………………..Henry

Just a note

 “HAPPY HOLIDAY”   to all. I plan to do a lot of fishing this up coming week, hitting every spot I can to get some hands on, report updates . Hope everyone got all the new fishing toys they wanted.

Gone Fishing.......

 Tony