Off shore it was a good bite one just needed the bigger boat, 200’ seems to be the zone trolling bally hoo and feathers. North of the inlet or south the start was that 200’ mark, Sails, lots of Dolphin and Black Fin Tuna kept anglers busy? Captain VJ Bell fishing south wanted Sails and found a few but the thirty Dolphin took a lot of time, Phil Philips fishing north found a few Dolphin and to many Sails, I believe the fish know what you are looking for. Black Fins were small but tasty and the Spanish Mac’s were in numbers at the Hole. Well if you could deal with the 3’ to 5’ seas fishing was pretty good, me I will have to wait.

Surf anglers need that side cast this week, if you casted to high the wind would blow it back or down the beach. Most were casting spoons, Blues, Mac’s and Jacks made the catch list with a few Pompano and it was very few. The first three were in close, 1 ½ oz spoon would put you where you needed to be, Pompano were a little deeper and just out of reach. Now if we could just turn off this wind or how about a west wind that would put the Pompano in the game, they are just on the other side of the Blues, no body wants to hang with the Blue Fish. Cut baits work, just use a smaller hook 2/0 long shank is perfect, the Mac’s have a smaller mouth and they can get your bait but not the hook.

East bank of the Indian River was the location for plenty of Reds, Trout; Lady’s and yes pesky Blues and some of big Mac’s. Trout season is closed, they will hit any thing, Lady Fish dance and jump a lot, Blues and Mac’s will eat any thing that moves and after you sort through them it is the Red Fish. Lots of reports on lots of fish, from the pier in front of the House of Refuge all the way to Bear Point, slot Reds. Two feet of water, preferred treed shore line but not necessary and the cool part was it was all day. Red Fish limit is one, 18 to 27” and most are in the top of the slot, fish the Flat water and slow the retrieve. Bridges were busy, Drum, Sheepshead, Blues, Mac’s, Jacks, and some of the biggest Ribbon fish I have seen in years. Pompano, in and out and those that were in were small, still plenty of Snook after sun down, Flair Hawks has been the preferred bait this week.

Till next week, please turn off the “WIND WEAPON”………………….Henry

We are all tired of this wind and less than polite seas, let’s think positive and go catch a fish. With the seas settling to 4.6’ it is all most like summer and the fish are biting. Off shore it has been Dolphin, lots of Dolphin from 200’ out on the color lines. Trolling bally hoo has been the favored baits, fishing the light blue side than trailing back on the dark side but you have to pay attention. Waves have been changing quickly so if it is a small boat, know your crew. Big boats, put a top on your cup and go, the catch list included Sails, a few Kings, two Wahoo and a Cobia, not many anglers but a good bite of fish. Nothing to report for the bottom anglers, conditions just did not fit, the big water kept the fish safe and the anglers not to happy.

Surf it has been Blues, Mac’s and a few Pompano but then the seas have kept the beach less than favored. Big surf has caused a lot of turbid water and weeds making it almost impossible. Forecast is to quiet down and it will take a tidal changes to let the sand settle but the Blues are here and mix them with the Mac’s and we will be back to normal, lost of rod benders. Casting a spoon or cut baits will get the attention we are looking for. Pompano for the long casters using sand fleas and clam, Whiting and Croakers not sure how or when, what with all the Blues in the area. Plenty of Jacks and a few Snook so don’t walk away from that rod; they will take it home with them. Now if we can just get the weeds to leave.

Pompano in the crossroads, the channel from the St. Lucie to the Indian River at the base of Sewall’s Point, north across the Sail Fish Flats and yes they took some home from the bridges. Red fish have been strong in the area, shallow is where they are hiding. East side in the flat water but just as many has been caught on the west side of the river, watch the birds working that churned up water. Trout season is closed till January so they are eating everything, quick release will keep them healthy. Plenty of Blues and Jacks to keep you busy, hard baits are better idea than soft rubber. Snook anglers have been the happy group, the stronger the weather the better the bite, let the sun go down and pick a bridge, they feed face into the current. In spite of the weather fishing has been pretty good both inside and out with a long catch list, now Monday and we will be back to work and the weather will be perfect, I love Florida……………HENRY