While winter isstill around the Treasure Coast and weekly cold fronts will continue to bringcool nights and lots of windy days to the area, fishing will still be good outon the water. It has been a mild winter so far with the usual winds, rainand cooler nights. Water temperatures can dictate where and how you mightfish on any given day this month. January was a much warmer month thisyear. When the water is cold, fish the deeper cuts and drop offs of theriver. Sunny days will bring fish up in shallower waters to feed and thebite can really get hot out on the flats.




The trout bitepicks up very nicely in February. Last year proved to be another greatyear for big trout in the Fort Pierce area. I anticipate that 2017 willbe another big fish year around the area. CAL jerk baits and DeadlyCombos are exciting ways to trout fish with artificial lures, while live shrimpon popping corks are the ol’ standard way to trout fish out on the river. Redfish can be found in shallow flats around mangroves and islands. Wehad a fantastic winter bite in 2016 around the docks and mangroves forredfish. On warm sunny days, the reds will sit around the mangroves andsoak up the sun. Finding some along the mangroves will bring some goodrod bending action to anglers this month. The new 2 3/4" DOA shrimpand CAL jerk baits can find some hungry reds hugging the mangrove lines whenfished very slowly. Docks are a great way to find plenty of fish waitingfor something tasty to drift under them.

Sheephead will be plentifularound the river and the larger fish will be coming into the river tobreed. They showed up early this year and January has been a great monthfor them. Live or dead shrimp around bridges, docks and structure canprovide lots of action in addition to some great tasting fish. Sand perchand croakers should also be hanging around the inlet and bridges duringFebruary. Pompano around the surf and on the deeper flats of the rivercan be taken on CAL grub tails, Doc’s Goofy Jigs and shrimp or clams. Bluefish, mackerel and jacks will continue to haunt the baitfish around thejetties and turning basin. Small, shiny lures will keep you busy. There should be some flounder around the back sides of the jetties and on sandflats around the inlet area.
February is atransition month on the river. It opens snook season again in thisarea. Winter can be challenging when the cold arrives this year on theTreasure Coast. We have enjoyed more normal winter weather and the fishbite has been good for us. Winds will still be blowing and the water willbegin to gradually rise in temperature. Fishing your lures slowly willcertainly give you more action on the river. Fish tend to be sluggish inthe colder water. Working your lures or bait slower along the bottom willgive the fish more time to react to it and will result in more bites foranglers. Have fun this month and get out fishing!
Remember, fishingis not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!
Thanks and GoodFishing!
Captain Charlie Conner