Report

SEPT. 7,05 FISHING

UGLY WEATHER, WIND OFF AND ON, CLOUDS, SOME RAIN, JUST PLAIN UNPREDICTABLE WATHER. ST. LUCIE RIVER UNDER ATTACK BUY SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGERS, MILES OF A MESS THAT ANY ONE ELSE WOULD HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR, AND I STILL LOVE THIS PLACE.

SNOOK SEASON IS OPEN AND THE MORE OVER CAST AND UGLY THE WEATHER IS THE BETTER THE SNOOK BITE. WHEN THE SURF LAYS DOWN JUST A TOUCH THE BAIT WILL BE ON THE EDGE AND THE SNOOK ARE ON THEM. MAYBE IT IS THE OVERCAST SKY, THE TURBITY, I AM NOT SURE WHAT IT IS BUT SNOOK FISHING IS HOT. MAYBE THE BAIT FISH ARE SO BUSY FIGHTING THE STRONG CONDITIONS THAT THEY JUST DO NOT SEE THIS STRONG PREDITOR BUT THEY SEE THEM. LOTS OF MULLET, SMALL WHITING AND CROAKER ON THE EDGE, SO MATCH THE HATCH, MATCH THE PROFILE WITH YOUR FAVORED LURE AND HANG ON. FOUR TO FIVE INCH IS THE SIZE WITH A THIRTY TO FORTY POUND LEADER AND KEEP YOUR BAIT BOUNCING THE BOTTOM, TAKE THE BARBS OFF THESE FISH WILL BE OVER THE SLOT. WHITING, CROAKERS AND SOME POMPANO TOP THE CATCH LIST TILL THE CLOUDS MOVED IN NOW IT IS SNOOK HEAVEN.

THE SNOOK NOOK IS ON THE INDIAN RIVER, YES WE HAVE TWO RIVERS BUT FOR NOW IT WILL BE THE INDIAN RIVER WE REPORT ON. YES, YOU CAN GO NEAR THE WATER, YES YOU CAN EAT THE FISH AND YES THE SNOOK AND TROUT BITE IS OUT OF CONTROL. LOTS OF SMALL BUNKER AND GLASS MINNOWS, WHY WOULD THE FISH BE ANY WHERE ELSE, IT IS A BUFFET. OVER CAST SKIES HAVE THESE FISH ON THE FLATS ALL DAY, SHALLOW WATER AND BIG TOP WATER PLUGS WHAT A COMBO. THE TROUT SLOT IS 15"/20" WITH ONE OVER 20" AND BELIEVE ME YOU WILL BE WATCHING THE TOP OF THE SLOT FROM THE STUART CAUSWAY NORTH TO VERO, THE TROUT BITE IS HOT. SNOOK AROUND ANY STRUCTURE, BRIDGES, DOCKS A MONGROVE SHORE LINE OR HOW ABOUT A WEED EDGE THEY CAN HIDE IN, UGLY WEATHER JUST BRING THEM OUT. THE STRONGER THE CURRENT, NAROW CHANNELS, BRIDGES, SPILWAYS JUST MEANS BIGGER FISH. IT TAKES A BIG FISH TO FISH TO FIGHT THE CURRENT AND THEY KNOW THE BAIT CAN NOT, AND WILL GO WITH THE CURRENT, SO PRESENT YOUR BAIT UP CURRENT AND LET THE RIVER DO THE WORK.. USUAL CAST OF SUSPECTS AROUND THE BRIDGES, DRUM, SHEEP HEAD, SAND PEARCH, JACKS AND FIVE POUND BLUE FISH, REALLY NICE BLUES. TRIPLE TAIL MADE A GOOD SHOW AND FLOUNDER ALSO IN NUMBERS ON THE CATCH LIST. PICK YOUR FAVORED BAIT THE FISH HAVE BEEN HUNGRY.

OFF-SHORE HAS BEEN LESS THAN FAVORABLE, WITH SKIES THAT ONE WAS NEVER SURE OF, NOT MANY WANDERED OUT OF THE INLET.

HAVE YOUR CAMERA READY IT IS BIG SNOOK TIME AND IF IT IS NOT SNOOK, BIG TROUT OR THE TARPON WILL TEST YOUR EQUIPMENT. WOW, ITS HAS BEEN A YEAR THIS WEEK THAT THE HURRICANES CAME AND WE ARE STILL PUTTING IT BACK TOGETHER, I FEEL FOR THE GULF COAST, GOOD LUCK……………….