May 9, 2008
INSHORE:
We have enjoyed some great weather lately here along the Treasure Coast. The windy days are beginning to lighten up and early mornings can find some great conditions for top water lures on the flats. Lots of baitfish have been filtering into the river and you can look forward to the predator fish chasing them around the waters. Redfish, snook and trout are in the shallows and I love fishing the Indian River in May!
I was able to get out and cast a rod myself this week and found the fish feeding in the shallows in less than two feet of water. Two snook at 26" and 27" were fooled by a DOA CAL shad tail around the mangroves of the flats. Look for snook and trout to continue to chase the bait this month. Don't forget that snook season will close the end of May, so there are just a couple more weeks to try and get that slot snook for dinner.
These two snook were caught along the mangroves on a DOA CAL shad tail....
Trout fishing slowed some during the week, but with the warmer water the action will pickup. Bob Bergen and Bob Whitbold were out fishing on Thursday and reported several nice size trout had hit their soft baits that day. Gail and Ralph Rounds were out with me that day and also caught several trout on both live bait and soft plastics. Queen's Cove, Harbor Branch and the west shore to the south have all been holding trout on the grass flats.
Redfish have been traveling in schools around the river. We missed our chance with Ralph and Gail as the wind and sun gave the fish the advantage and we couldn't get a good cast to them. They have been feeding very shallow around high tide. Soft plastics like a DOA CAL grub tail has worked well so far this month. Look for the fish to continue to school and travel the flats this month.
Ralph Rounds found this bluefish cruising on the trout flats....
Bridges have held some sheephead with fewer anglers out there fishing this week. The inlet has continued to hold Spanish mackerel, bluefish and loads of Jacks. Jacks are all over the river! The beaches have started to produce snook, bluefish and jacks with the bait moving along the coast. It's a great time of year to fish the Treasure Coast!
Tip of the Week:
It's time to head up on the flats in search of snook, trout and redfish. A quiet and stealthy approach will give you many more opportunities at catching these fish in May. The predators will travel in shallow water to feed on the many baitfish that have infiltrated into the river. These fish are never comfortable in shallow water and will seek shelter at the slightest sound or movement that isn't normal. I look forward to poling the boat across the flats during this time of year. It can give you fantastic views and a very quiet approach to the flats. Get out there and chase some tail this month!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!
Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
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