Fishing Forum

September 15, 2005

INSHORE:
This past week, most of the moisture had been sucked up by Ophelia as she headed north of us. It provided good fishing conditions with lighter winds and less chance of rain all week. The water has cleaned up nicely and the fall mullet run is in full swing now. The river is loaded with bait and the feeders are following it along the river and oceanside. It a great time of year along the Treasure Coast.

Snook anglers are enjoying good action around the inlets, beaches and along the lighted docks. Jigs and live baits have been the choice of most fishermen. Most have been undersize with some slots being taken. Snook are hitting the flats early at first light for a breakfast snack and will be hitting top water in early mornings. Look for some ladyfish and jacks to also be out there feasting on the bait. Most of the flats will be productive with all the bait in the river. I have been having luck on Top Pups, Chug Bugs and Zara Spooks.

You can find trout hitting in early morning on the same flats and hitting the same top water plugs. Round Island and Bear Point have been producing trout on top water and live baits. I have been using popping corks with live shrimp for trout in deeper water later in the mornings.


Vincent holding a 27" redfish caught on the flats..

Redfish are hitting at sunrise and well into the mornings. Again, top water early and switch to gold spoons or live bait later as the sun warms up the water. Most flats have been producing redfish so there are many good places to fish this time of year. Round Island and Harbor Branch flats have been coughing up redfish as of late.

Tarpon will be following the bait into the inlets and along the beaches. Live baits will be the best choice for a hookup. Top water at first light will be working, too. There will be plenty of sharks, bonito and jacks along the beaches to keep you busy working a reel. Have fun and be safe out there.

There have been good catches of mangrove snapper around the bridges, rocks and mangroves using shrimp. Some flounder have been caught along the inlet and channels. We have caught some black drum around the bridges this week. Live shrimp has worked well for us.

Tip of the Week:
I keep seeing more and more anglers fishing the flats. Some of them don't seem to know how precious those flats are to the Treasure Coast. There are always a few boats that motor around on the flats and churn up the bottom, destroying grasses and productive bottom. Those flats are in enough distress from other issues and we shouldn't contribute to their demise by lack of concern or care by those who fish it. Be careful and protect our fishing areas, because if we destroy them....the fish will no longer stay!

Have a great week on the water. Remember, fishing is not just another hobby.....it's an ADVENTURE!

Good fishing and be safe,
Captain Charlie Conner
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