Inshore:
We have enjoyed some fantastic weather and fishing as February arrived with
sunny skies and light winds on most of our days on the water. It is a
welcome change from January conditions. Water temperatures have warmed up
nicely to the low to mid 70's and the fish have been hungry! We are
beginning our transition into Spring conditions. Even though we will get our
weekly cold fronts moving through the Treasure Coast, you can expect them to
become milder as each week passes by. It's a wonderful time of year to enjoy
the outdoors!
The variety of fish in the river continues to keep our clients smiling and
rods bending. The bluefish and pompano are around the river now along with
all the other wintertime favorites. Bluefish will hit anything shiny and
pompano with take live shrimp, sand fleas or Doc's Goofy Jigs. The
sheepshead and black drum bite has been excellent around the bridges,
channel edges and docks of the river. Live or dead shrimp on a small hook or
jig head will work best. There are lots of 15" mutton snapper around the
turning basin. Fun to catch for the little ones, but just shy of keeper
size. Jacks and ladyfish are everywhere right now. Again, the little anglers
will love catching them. It's a fun time of year to take the kids fishing.
We are still getting some nice redfish around the mangroves and docks of
the river. Expect a lot of shorts, but those will be in the upper slot by
the end of summer. CAL paddle tails (411 color) on a 1/16th oz. jig head is
my favorite go-to lure in winter for redfish. Fish can be skittish with the
clear waters of winter and this won't scare them. The trout bite picked up
again this week with the warmer weather. I rely on the CAL 4" jerk bait (407
color) on the same 1/16th oz. jig head to catch some nice trout this time of
year. You can also have very good success with DOA shrimp or Deadly Combos
this month. Snook fishing around the inlet docks and jetties has been good
on the higher ends of the tide for anglers using DOA Terror Eyz and live
baits. I love the variety of fish that you can catch during the winter
months. The surf has been good for whiting, bluefish and some pompano for
beach anglers. Most anglers are using live or dead shrimp, but silver
spoons, Doc's Goofy Jigs and CAL shad tails can get you some good action as
well.
Tom and his daughter, Casey, were out on a foggy morning that turned out to
be a gorgeous day on the water. They were kept busy catching sheepshead,
drum, redfish and short snook on their morning adventure. Rich and his son,
Mark, were back this year to enjoy a morning on the water. After another
foggy start, they found lots of sheepshead along with some black drum and
trout to make for a successful trip. Enjoy the fishing...the weather has
been outstanding for us!
Remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE! Thanks
and Good Fishing!