February 8, 2008
INSHORE:
What a great week on the water. Not only did we have some fantastic summer-like days to fish, I saw a number of friends again and met some new ones on the boat. Fishing was great most days and we did catch a variety of species. Dolphin were all over the river to put on their show and lots of wildlife to enjoy out along the Treasure Coast. What a wonderful area we live in!
Keith, Bob, Turner and Frank were visiting again and we had a wonderful time watching the boys, Turner and Frank, have fun with the ladyfish and jacks. Dave was back in town again and we had a good time catching up on a years worth of news and catching fish in between. I met Bob and Haley and enjoyed the weather and fishing on a bright Sunday morning. Scott and his son, Jeremy, were out with me and I believe that Scott won the battle with the fish that day. Ray, Danny and Mike were having a great battle on who would catch the most fish. Emmet was down on Thursday and we tried our best on a fly rod, but only got a number of rolls on it. It turned out to be fabulous weather and great fun fishing out on the Indian River.
Snook fishing has been pretty good around most of the docks. We caught several nice ones and lost a few others when we could reach the docks. Dave did catch one nice linesider that was a couple inches short of slot. DOA shrimp have been very productive around the docks. Night anglers have continued to catch some nice snook around the bridges, turning basin and Taylor Creek area. Live bait or feather jigs have worked best.
Trout fishing was good some days and slower another day. It picked up on Wednesday, but slowed down again Thursday for us. We did manage trout on several days out there. Live shrimp on popping corks or soft baits have worked best. As the water clears back up from the latest winds, look for the bite to improve again. Redfish were quiet this week, but Keith did manage to pull one out from under the mangroves.
Pompano have been cruising around the river and we caught several nice slab sides for dinner. Dave caught the largest, with Ray coming in a close second for the week. Live shrimp or small jigs tipped with shrimp have worked the best in the river. Still a lot of sheephead out there around the area. Bob boated three that would go 2 - 3 pounds each. A lot of schools of them around the flats, docks and bridges are keeping anglers, who are targeting them, busy. Croakers and black drum have been around the catwalks and along channel edges. Spanish mackerel are still around the inlet and a few in the channels. Ladyfish, jacks and bluefish have continued to be everywhere. They provide lots of fun, especially for the young anglers!
Surf:
Whiting, pompano, bluefish and mackerel have been patrolling the beaches. The pompano bite has been good again this week and many anglers have had some nice catches. Shrimp or sand fleas for the whiting and pomps, and shiny lures for the toothy guys. The lighter winds have given us some good days to enjoy the beach.
Tip of the Week:
You hear me talk a lot about kids and fishing. Those days when I see parents like Keith and Bob who share a day fishing with their children make it all worth while. I watched as Bob with his daughter, Hailey, and Keith with sons, Turner and Frank, took the time to make sure that the kids have a time to remember for a long time. It's parents like them that keep the fishing spirit alive in all of us and are creating the future for the generations to come. I am proud that Bob and Keith were on my boat!
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
CATCHES THIS WEEK:
Dave with a nice pompano and snook....
Ray with a nice pompano and Bob with one of several nice sheephead... |
