Snook Nook Fishing Reports

FISHING 1/22/11

Cool, warm, wind and sun shine it has been a week for the weather. Changing temperatures has changed the way we plan our fishing days, it pays to wait till the sun warms our waters, and it is Florida and our fish like it warm.

To the beach it has been more Pompano than I can remember, from Ft. Pierce to Hobe Sound the talk is Pompano. Interesting part is the fish have been up close, Sundays surf made it difficult but the fish were there. Angler’s reports were limit catches and all big fish not one call on the minimum size. Favored baits were clams and sand fleas and yes the bite started mid morning, as soon as the edge warmed the fish moved in. Plenty of Blues on cut baits, a little longer cast to locate these fish unless you were fishing the inlets, these areas were covered up with Blues, Macs and Jacks.

>From the bridges was Pompano, plenty of Pompano. That little jig was the preferred bait, but we had anglers catch them on shrimp, clams and sand fleas, the good part was it was an all day bite. If you waited for the water to warm it was Snapper, Black Drum and some real nice Trout, mix in the Blues, Macs and yes more Pompano. River anglers had their fill of Trout and Red Fish from north to south it has been a strong bite. Reds on small spoons and shrimp from late morning to late afternoon mix in all good size Trout and what can I say other than fishing has been excellent.

Off shore the week started with Sails and Dolphin and mix of Kings and Cobia then the weather man got involved, north wind and cold. By the week end the water temps had move the fish. Tuna at Push Button are the only guarantee; trolling small feathers will get them but eh rest?

Anglers fishing deep have found a few, but I would look shallow like 80’ being the deepest. The live bait reported has been in shallow water, so why would the fish be deep. In these times of changing temps look for the warm water, let the sun warm what it can and that would be the zone I would be looking in. Plenty of Spanish Mac’s south of the inlet to bend a rod but it is time for some big Kings to show, and maybe the Cobia will make another appearance and it will be shallow, what we really need is some cooperation from the weather man.

Till next week lets keep our fingers crossed for some south Florida weather, the fish and I can hardly wait……….Henry

FISHING 1/15/11

Finally the weather man gave us a break, wind slowed the temps went up with the sun, perfect. Off shore it has been two foot seas, surfs edge two ounces will hold and one could fish east or west side of the river, perfect.

>From the surf it has been Blues and more Blues, up close eating cut mullet, spoons, top water, and one would say if it moves they will bite. Plenty of big Whiting on shrimp and clams, if it is Pompano that is your target come on down. Some accesses have been busy some not so busy but all report fish, best part is this is going all day. At the Bath Tub is was an early bite for the Pompano and later for the Blues but you could switch times at different locations and come back to the Bath Tub later and find more Pompano. Surf fishing has been out standing with the fish there all day, bring two rods and rig them for different species because as one leaves the others show, perfect, and don’t forget the ice.

In the river it has been Blues, Pompano, Trout, Reds, big Sheep head and Drum, Flounder and I know I left out a few. Trout and Reds, a good mix from north to south, fish a little later let the sun warm the river and cast a top water, slow retrieve and they will scoop it up. 9:am is plenty early, if you have favored spot this is the week to visit, most Trout are over slot and the Reds are in the middle of the slot so bring the camera. About an acre of Pompano tailing in the St. Lucie just north of Hells Gate and I am more than sure the Club Med area has just as many. Strong runs at the Bridges and across the flats in the Indian River all using that Jig in an assortment of colors, plenty of Pompano and did mentions the Blues are fowling them.

Off Shore if it is Sails that start your hart now is the time. Trolling ballyhoo north or south of the inlet from 80’ to 150’ but early is the time that window is narrow. Dolphin from 15 to 25 pounds, perfect for the grill in 60’ and Kings and small Cobia in 40’, it has been a good week for anglers thank you weather man. Watch that bag on those Spanish Mac’s, we have heard from several anglers that have had their count checked and yes there were plenty of Pompano in 40’.

Have a great week see you on the beach…………………………..Henry

FISHING 1/9/11

Finally moderate temperatures, a little cool for me but great for fishing, inside or out let’s go catch a fish. Days have been cool, some sun to warm the flats, some over cast to keep the fish foraging through out the day, perfect for temp lines and rips off shore, just wish I could take advantage of them. Out of the St. Lucie Inlet it has been to the north, from the 100 line to the 140 line in 80ft to 140 ft has been most productive, with Sails, Dolphin and Kings, not a lot of either but when put together it has been excellent fishing. Just about every boat had and encounter with a Sail Fish, put a couple of Dolphin in the boat, and all talked about Kings chopping off the bait. Yes, there were Black Fins of size but out deeper and that is all that was there, so if they are your target go to 250’ and bring some extra bait because they are mixed in with Bonita, lots of Bonita. Most action was on trolled Ballyhoo, mono rigged are great but if you want to make sure you get that King use wire it catches them all. Plenty of Spanish Mac’s south of the inlet watch that bag limit or the man in the green uniform will count them for you.

Over cast morning will keep the fish in the flats foraging late into the morning hours, then the sun comes out and warms that shallow water so the fish just stay, having never caught a fish with a watch on, come on down about any time you like and the fish will be there. Red continue from the Ft Pierce south to the Sail Fish Flats with plenty of Trout (season is open and they don’t know it), anglers report 10 to 20 fish and then in come the Blues and Mac’s. Plenty of Blue Fish in the river, about the time you find the Pompano, in move the Blues so bring that second rod rigged and ready for these toothy devils, wire leaders. Pompano at the bridges, in the flats, in the inlet if there is three feet of water there is Pompano. The river is clear, you can see the gold flash as they pass now cast that Jigging Spoon, let fall and move it slowly across the bottom. From the bridges anglers are jigging the spoon, slow down you presentation, maximum leader is twenty pounds and your bag limit is six fish a day, please pick up the area the bridges are a mess. Big Sheep head, Drum, a few Flounder and did I mention the Blue fish a plenty, yes; it has been a good week for the river anglers.

Surf anglers please is you pull up to an access point and it is full go to the next, we have had reports of fish from all access points, all day, could it get any better? Pompano have been on the move, here for an hour then gone for an hour but the one place they have stayed has been from the Virginia Forrest access south to the Bath Tub beach and clam has been the preferred bait, nice fish very few under the size limit. Blue Fish are keeping most busy, and now you know why the pompano have left the area. Blue fish will drive all the other species from the area or they will become dinner so when one slows have that other rod rigged and ready they are a lot of fun to catch.

Watch your limits, they are numbered for a reason……………………………………………………..Henry

FISHING 1/2/11

Finally the wind stopped, the temps are going up and it is starting to feel like south Florida. The ocean could settle a little more, the water temps need to rise but I am a patient person and tomorrow will be fine.

Let’s start in the river, Trout season is open, those Pesky Trout now have a bag limit of four not less than 15” or more than 20”, one per angler can be over 20”. Best part is they don’t know the season is open and the bite is on, flat south of the Dolphin Grill, north side of Nettles Island and north to Bear Point all report to many of all good size and the water is still cold. Red’s in the mix and yes the Blues and Mac’s also have shown up on the catch list, soft plastic baits have out fish live baits, even the Blues like them. A few Pompano in the inlet and a few across the Sail Fish Flats, water has to get a few degrees warmer for this species but that is only one day away.

Surf anglers had all the Blues they could want and then more, early late, you pick the time and the favored bait was cut mullet. Anglers were locating the fish then using spoons on the school, three to five pound fish excellent for the table. The bite was on from north to south up close and far out, action was on going. Yes there were some Mac’s in the mix but the Blues were in control, some Whiting and Sheep head both good sizes when the Blues took a break, but it was Blue Fish.

Off shore was still sporty in spite of the wind dropping, the further out you went the bigger the seas, well not bigger but closer together. Anglers that went out spent more time navigating then fishing, more than one angler turned green in the sunshine. A few Sails were taken from 100’ of water, some small Dolphin were found deep and the Kings were in 40’ , not much a pattern. Let that surface warm a few days and the baits will show then we can get out there and fish not navigate. Plenty of Spanish Macs south of the inlet, just look for the collage of boats, Glass Minnow Jigs and Clark Spoons will get your limit, 15 is the bag so watch your count, some one else is.

Finally some warm weather and less wind, should be a long report next week and yes I am back in my shorts………Henry

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