While spring is still on its way, March continues to roar like a lion most days for us. Every time I think we have had our last cold front....another comes our way. It can't last forever! Even with the windy days, we have continued to have good catches along the river while hanging close to the mangroves and sea walls. We have enjoyed one or two days each week without the prevailing winds chasing us. It has been fun, but can get a little choppy around the area.
Once the water temperatures warm back up after the cold fronts blow through, we have enjoyed catching redfish around the mangroves on DOA shrimp and live baits. Duncan Haley was out with me this past week and we boated three slot reds from under the mangroves. Bob Altieri and Dave were back in Florida and enjoyed some great action on another windy day. They both boated a nice redfish among a host of species caught that day. Keith, Turner, Frank and Bob were also back in the area. Turner and Frank doubled up on a redfish and snook during a fun morning. Ron, Mike and Timberly were out with me on a beautiful morning and boated lots of sheepshead along with trout and pompano to round out their trip. Tom and Eric found a variety of fish around the river while fishing the flats and docks. Jim, Joy and Ian were visiting and we had a great afternoon trip that found assorted species biting, including redfish, trout, sheepshead and drum. It has been an exciting week on the Indian River.
Water temperatures have been up and down lately. It has been in the low to mid 60's most of the time for us. We have found our redfish hanging under docks and mangroves and willing to take a DOA shrimp. Trout have been in three to five feet of water. CAL jerk baits work great on trout right now. Try the new Airhead lures from DOA. It's gonna be a great asset this Spring on the flats. Sheepshead and black drum have been around docks and under mangroves. We have found a few pompano around the river along with bluefish. We have been fishing south of Fort Pierce most days, but the recent gusty weather has pushed us back in the mangrove islands to the north of Fort Pierce. The water on the incoming tide has been dirty the past several days from all the winds. It has been difficult to fish in the surf most days. With a forecast for nice weather this coming weekend, the water will have time to clear up and warm back up to the upper sixties. It should be a fantastic weekend on the water!
Dress in layers for a while longer. Some days you will find nearly a 40 degree change in temperatures on the water. We seem to end up with a pile of coats, sweatshirts and assorted warm clothes in the corner of the boat by noon each day. Sunscreen is essential this time of year with the wind and the sun wearing on you. It can't be much longer before it warms up to Spring weather! Have fun out there fishing.
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!
Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner
http://www.fishtalescharter.com
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852