December 18, 2008
INSHORE:
Finally! After a couple weeks of battling the flu, I was able to get back on the water and do some scouting around the river. It turned out to be a wonderful weather day with light winds to make it a warm welcome back to the river. It looks like the weekend will be a fantastic opportunity to get out fishing. The fish are out there, so plan a trip out soon!
If you have children, it's one of the best times of year to take them fishing. The ladyfish and jacks are thick on the edges of the flats and you can treat them to an experience that they will remember for a long time. Tom Hull came down from Melbourne and we play with them for a while to get back into the fishing mode again. Try to get some kids out there soon and show them a good time!
There are still large trout, snook and redfish hanging just on the flat edges once the sun warms up the morning. We found some nice size trout to hit and did manage one redfish before the day ended. It sure was nice to get back on the water again. If you are out, try soft plastics like DOA CAL jerk baits or grub tails for the trout, snook and redfish. We caught trout on the jerk baits and the redfish on a grub tail. Suspending lures will also work along with top water in the early mornings. Harbor Branch, Round Island and Bear Point have all been good areas to fish.
The sand perch bite slowed down a little this week, but you can still find some along with black drum, snapper and sheephead. I have seen some big sheephead around the river on the flats as well. There are still mackerel, bluefish and jacks around the inlet and jetties to catch. The pompano bite has been mostly around the power plant area. The surf has found whiting and pompano for anglers along the beach.
Tip of the Week:
Most of the big fish we have caught or seen on the flats have been hanging in the sand holes. I love to fish any sandy areas on the grass flats. Most sand holes that you happen on will usually be a bit deeper than the grass around them. Big fish are typically lazy and will hang in these holes to wait for bait fish to drift over with the tides. I cast just beyond a sandy area and fish slowly along it. Once the sun comes up, it easy to spot these areas on the flats and might just help you be a little more successful.
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
A couple trout from this weeks fishing....
