TREASURE COAST FISHING REPORT
Indian River County
With winds blowing for most of the weekend, action around the Sebastian Inlet was hit or miss, with a few frenzied moments. Spanish mackerel moved to the north jetty, and according to the Sebastian Inlet District Fishing Report, there were several very nice fish caught. Sheepshead and mangrove snapper also were caught along with one very large jack crevalle that hit a silver spoon. According to the report, everything else hit live greenies. Trout and redfish continue to be good options for anglers working the docks and mangrove edges. The waters of the Indian River are a bit churned up because of the winds, but overall there still is a steady bit around area bridges.
St. Lucie County
According to Capt. Charlie Conner of Fish Tales Charters, all the freshwater in the river has slowed the bite somewhat. Conner does report continued trout action on the flats of the Indian River. D.O.A. shrimp, CAL jerk baits and bait busters are all working especially when fished over the sandy patches south of Fort Pierce. The 425 and 382 colors both are working in both the shrimp and the jerk baits. There are some schools of redfish on the shallow flats, but patience and stealth are an angler's best friends. Catch- and-release snook action has been better, especially south of Fort Pierce. Bait busters are working well, as are topwater lures at first light. Conner recommends working the mangroves and docks. Anglers are also catching flounder on the sand flats as well.
Martin County
Although the surf as been a bit weedy and rough, anglers still are catching a fair number of whiting and sand perch along with a snook, tarpon or shark her and there. Overall though, conditions have made things tricky and anglers are spending as much time cleaning their lines as they are catching fish. Inshore, anglers are finding nice sheepshead and snapper under area bridges, while there continues to be a good trout bite north of the Jensen Causeway toward the St. Lucie power plant. Offshore, according to Henry Caimotto at the Snook Nook, action has been slow. Dolphin have been very scattered with little to no pattern to them. Caimotto recommends looking for color lines and working the small patches of grass.
Lake Okeechobee
Anglers continue to catch plenty of shell cracker, blue gill and catfish, although windy, churned up conditions made fishing open water a bit tricky. Anglers are once again hiding behind area islands, grass beds or in the rim canals. Spinner baits have been very productive early in the morning, while both live baits and artificial baits are producing. Because of conditions, anglers are rigging a little heavier than normal. Tin House Cove, King's Bar and Little Grassy are all good areas to try, while the J and S and Indian Prairie canals are also good options.
