03-15-2003, 11:11 PM
It’s been really busy the past few weeks aboard the Catch 22. The majority of my trips have been 5 or 6 anglers, keeping me in deeper water where things have been quite productive. Area bridges are still holding mangrove snapper jacks, black drum and an increasing number of snook. Most of the snook have been under the slot, averaging 23”, but a few keepers are running with the schools. Black drum averaging 3-10 lbs and are responding well to frozen shrimp on trollrites.
The water temperature in the shallow grass flats has rebounded nicely making it more suitable than the 58 degree temps last month. I haven’t targeted the grass flats so far this year due to the unseasonably cold water temperatures. It’s also tough to fish 5 or 6 anglers drifting the flats. I might as well set off M-80’s in the water. On a few private charters of 2-4 angles we were able to fish the Sailfish flats which resulted in numbers of ladyfish and pompano and provided some great action. When the wind blows I usually head to the area which is somewhat sheltered and is productive even with 6 anglers aboard. A few tripletail to l4 lbs. the past few weeks have shown up on the channel markers. As the water warms, the action will pick up!
My wader friends have been doing well up and down the Indian River on the west side, with snook and big trout. Their best response has been from throwing soft rubber baits. Most of the snook are being caught on drop-offs when the water is choppy.
The St. Lucie Inlet has been hot and cold. Still, sheepshead are showing up near high tide along Sailfish Point with ever increasing numbers of snook making an appearance. One morning trip, we had 8 snook on shrimp or DOA CAL lures. There weren’t any in the slot, but I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like the rod-bending action even a small snook can produce. Just outside the inlet there have been small schools of large jacks, running 15-25 lbs. Look for dark areas in the water near the surface. These jacks are hitting shrimp, poppers and spoons (just about anything). The mackerel brigade has been 300 yards south of the detached jetty in line with the whistle buoy. No more heading 2 miles south to Pack’s Lake, there right outside the rocks! Aboard Catch 22 last week, several 5-6 lbs. macks were caught and released.
Tarpon have been showing up in small numbers around the quarter bridge at night, chowing down on 6” bunker. We have not seen any on the day trips yet, but just give it a week or two. I’ve heard of some tarpon along the beach up near the nuke plant. Over all, things look pretty good. You will soon notice an increase in baitfish in the area, which translates into one thing – “fish on”!!!
Capt. Bob Bushholz
http://www.catch22fish.com
(772) 225-6436
The water temperature in the shallow grass flats has rebounded nicely making it more suitable than the 58 degree temps last month. I haven’t targeted the grass flats so far this year due to the unseasonably cold water temperatures. It’s also tough to fish 5 or 6 anglers drifting the flats. I might as well set off M-80’s in the water. On a few private charters of 2-4 angles we were able to fish the Sailfish flats which resulted in numbers of ladyfish and pompano and provided some great action. When the wind blows I usually head to the area which is somewhat sheltered and is productive even with 6 anglers aboard. A few tripletail to l4 lbs. the past few weeks have shown up on the channel markers. As the water warms, the action will pick up!
My wader friends have been doing well up and down the Indian River on the west side, with snook and big trout. Their best response has been from throwing soft rubber baits. Most of the snook are being caught on drop-offs when the water is choppy.
The St. Lucie Inlet has been hot and cold. Still, sheepshead are showing up near high tide along Sailfish Point with ever increasing numbers of snook making an appearance. One morning trip, we had 8 snook on shrimp or DOA CAL lures. There weren’t any in the slot, but I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like the rod-bending action even a small snook can produce. Just outside the inlet there have been small schools of large jacks, running 15-25 lbs. Look for dark areas in the water near the surface. These jacks are hitting shrimp, poppers and spoons (just about anything). The mackerel brigade has been 300 yards south of the detached jetty in line with the whistle buoy. No more heading 2 miles south to Pack’s Lake, there right outside the rocks! Aboard Catch 22 last week, several 5-6 lbs. macks were caught and released.
Tarpon have been showing up in small numbers around the quarter bridge at night, chowing down on 6” bunker. We have not seen any on the day trips yet, but just give it a week or two. I’ve heard of some tarpon along the beach up near the nuke plant. Over all, things look pretty good. You will soon notice an increase in baitfish in the area, which translates into one thing – “fish on”!!!
Capt. Bob Bushholz
http://www.catch22fish.com
(772) 225-6436