06-28-2003, 10:29 PM
Things are really heating up here on the Treasure Coast, and I’m not just referring to the weather. In the St. Lucie Inlet, tarpon and jacks are a definite possibility, fishing live bait (greenies or mullet) on circle hooks. Along the south side, flounder and mangrove snapper have been plentiful fishing along the bottom.
The trout bite has been steady on both sides of the Indian River north of the Jensen Causeway until about 9:00 a.m. Top water plugs, soft rubber baits and live shrimp on popping corks are all working well. Area bridges continue to hold an assortment including mangrove snapper, goliath grouper, snook, sheephead black drum and an occasional tarpon. Snook season is closed, so treat these fish gently.
The flounder and tripletail bite last week was exceptional! On one charter with two anglers they hooked into 6 flounder to 4 lbs. along with a 15 lb. tripletail. The day before produced 5 tripletail to 13 lbs, 3 flounder and a few goliath grouper. The tripletail total for the year is now 66. If fishing remains strong (barring the increased water releases), I believe that 100 mark is well within reach. There have been lots of small lane and mangrove snapper on the markers too. A few blue fish and Spanish macks provided some good action near the Power Plant. These are resident fish that don’t know it’s summertime.
I’ve been seeing an increase of tarpon hunters anchoring up just east of the ICW channel between markers 231 and 239. Catch 22 didn’t get a chance to fish tarpon last week, with a 5-6 angler average per trip. By far, the morning is out-producing the afternoon trips. I’m sure thing pick up near dusk, but I’m back at the dock by 5 p.m.
For some real action, I’d suggest picking up some live crabs and running along the beaches for tarpon and permit. These permit are running in small schools of 6-10 fish, but they are big (15-30 lbs.).
With the 4th of July weekend almost upon us, the waterways will be increasingly busy. Remember – courtesy doesn’t cost anything and safety should come first. There’s plenty of water for everyone, just use common sense.
Capt. Bob Bushholz
http://www.catch22fish.com
(772) 225-6436
The trout bite has been steady on both sides of the Indian River north of the Jensen Causeway until about 9:00 a.m. Top water plugs, soft rubber baits and live shrimp on popping corks are all working well. Area bridges continue to hold an assortment including mangrove snapper, goliath grouper, snook, sheephead black drum and an occasional tarpon. Snook season is closed, so treat these fish gently.
The flounder and tripletail bite last week was exceptional! On one charter with two anglers they hooked into 6 flounder to 4 lbs. along with a 15 lb. tripletail. The day before produced 5 tripletail to 13 lbs, 3 flounder and a few goliath grouper. The tripletail total for the year is now 66. If fishing remains strong (barring the increased water releases), I believe that 100 mark is well within reach. There have been lots of small lane and mangrove snapper on the markers too. A few blue fish and Spanish macks provided some good action near the Power Plant. These are resident fish that don’t know it’s summertime.
I’ve been seeing an increase of tarpon hunters anchoring up just east of the ICW channel between markers 231 and 239. Catch 22 didn’t get a chance to fish tarpon last week, with a 5-6 angler average per trip. By far, the morning is out-producing the afternoon trips. I’m sure thing pick up near dusk, but I’m back at the dock by 5 p.m.
For some real action, I’d suggest picking up some live crabs and running along the beaches for tarpon and permit. These permit are running in small schools of 6-10 fish, but they are big (15-30 lbs.).
With the 4th of July weekend almost upon us, the waterways will be increasingly busy. Remember – courtesy doesn’t cost anything and safety should come first. There’s plenty of water for everyone, just use common sense.
Capt. Bob Bushholz
http://www.catch22fish.com
(772) 225-6436