Inshore Fishing Report
Snook: The Snook fishing has been excellent over the past few weeks. Those Snook fishing have not only been putting up steady numbers of Snook caught, but quality sized fish as well including many in the 40”+ range. The better fishing has been coming from those fishing around the St. Lucie Inlet and running the beach using live Croakers and live Threadfins. When the bite gets tough in the inlet, try fishing a dead threadfin on the bottom, you may go through some bycatch, but it definitely can work. If you are running the beach looking for them, you will want to look for structure such as little rock piles and start throwing baits around them. Boats equipped with side scan definitely have an advantage both in the inlet and running the beach as they are able to mark the schools. Anglers have also been catching them on the nearshore wrecks and reefs. Bullshark Barge has been a popular spot for Snook outside of the inlet, but there are a lot of Goliath Grouper there. If you are planning to fish there, you will need to get the fish up quickly. If you start running into the Goliath problem, it is best to move on so we don’t feed our breeder fish to them. As a reminder, Snook season remains closed in August and reopens on September 1st in our area. For those looking for live Croakers, we have still been receiving a steady supply of them and have been getting deliveries every other day weather depending. We can expect to still have steady Snook fishing around the inlet and on the beaches throughout the month. As they begin wrapping up their annual spawn, we can expect to see some fish moving back into the St. Lucie and Indian River. As they start moving back into the river, the Stuart Causeway and 10 Cent bridge can provide some great fishing along with the docks leading up to them. For those fishing inshore with the hot summertime afternoons, you will want to capitalize on fishing mornings and evenings when the water isn’t as hot, you will typically find your best action then. If you are fishing in the afternoon, you will want to focus on areas with cooler water and solid current flow. The inlet, the bridges, the beach and deeper docks will be areas you will want to target if you are fishing in the afternoons. Those fishing from land have had success at the Ft. Pierce Jetty, Jensen Causeway during the evenings, morning and at night, Indian Riverside Park, wading the flats and on the beaches.
As we get closer to the end of the month, we will be approaching our annual fall mullet run which we all look forward to. We typically begin seeing a few schools of mullet pushing through towards the end of August with the majority of the schools arriving in September. When the mullet do arrive, it is important to ‘match the hatch’ by fishing a bait that has a similar size and profile to the size of the mullet that are around whether you are fishing with live mullet or artificials. If you love fishing top water baits, the mullet run is the best time of the year for some epic blowups.
Tarpon: The Tarpon fishing has remained productive in our area, with some even better Tarpon fishing to come once we reach our annual mullet run. Anglers can look to find Tarpon around the bridges on the outgoing tides, along the channel edges in between the Jensen and Stuart Causeways, up to the north around the power plant in the Little Mud Creek area, in the inlet as well as the crossroads. The Crossroads seem to have been the most productive over the past few weeks. We have had some larger mullet around which will be one of your best bets if you are looking to target them in. You can fish the mullet on a small float or free lined. Live crabs will also produce too when they are around. You will want to fish the crabs on a small float to keep them in the strike zone. As we get into August and closer to our annual mullet run, night fishing for Tarpon can get pretty good when the bait is around.
Trout & Redfish: Those fishing the flats around the power plant and north have been able to still pick away at the Trout. With the temperatures getting warmer, your best bite will be first thing in the morning and in the evening especially if you are fishing in shallower water. Those wading have been able to catch them both on the east and west side of the river while those fishing by boat have been focusing more on the flats on the east side of the river. Hot spots have remained to be Little Mud Creek, Middle Cove, Bear Point and the flats around the spoil islands in Ft. Pierce. Paddle tails such as DOA Cals are still tough to beat for those targeting them. We are starting to see some larger Trout caught with a good amount of fish over 20”. When the sun gets higher and the water starts warming up, you can look to find Trout in deeper water along the channel edges. A few Reds have been mixed in those areas with the better numbers still coming from those working the mangrove edges along the spoil islands in Ft. Pierce.
Misc: Those Snook fishing with live baits such as Croakers and Threadfins have come across Cubera Snappers and a variety of Groupers as bycatch inshore. Anglers fishing live shrimp have been able to pick away at Mangrove Snappers around structure here inshore. If you’re looking to weed through some of the smaller ones, fishing a small pilchard or pinfish on a jighead is a great strategy to catch some of the bigger ones mixed in when they’re around. We typically see our biggest Snapper here inshore during the summer months. Those fishing live shrimp have also run into Flounder, Sheepshead, Black Drum and a variety of other species.
Offshore Fishing Report
Surface Fishing: The highlight of the surface fishing over the past month has definitely been Sailfish. If you’re looking to get in on the Sail action, the bite has remained hot to close out the month. The majority of these fish have been caught inside of 90’ with many releases even inside of 50’ so don’t be afraid to move in shallower if you aren’t getting bit. There has been a lot of scattered grass offshore this month which can definitely make things frustrating as you have to continue to clear the grass off your baits. Unfortunately some of the better fishing has come in the areas with that scattered grass, but those who have stuck it out have been rewarded. Fishing live baits is definitely more effective than trolling this time of year. Bump trolling, kite fishing and drifting have all been effective strategies. Bryan and Mike with Stuart Live Bait have been in the Manatee Pocket in the mornings with either Threadfins or Pilchards along with Goggle Eyes, give them a call or shoot them a text the day before your trip to reserve your baits, 772-985-0425.
Aside from the Sails; Mahi, Kingfish, Blackfin Tuna, the occasional Wahoo and all the Bonita you can ask for have been making the catch lists. Those targeting Sails in the shallower depths have come across all of the above as bycatch. Typically our pelagics and surface feeding fish will generally congregate in the same areas due to either a water temperature they like, a current change or bait in the area. Looking for signs of life or the right condition will really make a difference when the fish get spread out when fishing for your pelagics. Some who are specifically targeting Mahis have been running out to 700’+ and fishing weed patches that haven’t been hit quite as much. The Mahis we generally see this time of year will be on the smaller side but there have been some decent gaffers in the mix. They will typically come in groups so be prepared with rods to pitch chunks of bait or something like a bucktail jig to be able to capitalize on the opportunity. They can disappear quickly sometimes, preparation is key. Those targeting Kingfish have found plenty of success fishing live baits on the reefs and wrecks in the 60’-90’ range. The Wahoo caught have primarily been bycatch from those live bait fishing as we have had too much grass for those who are looking to high speed troll for them. Those who are targeting Blackfin Tuna have been finding their action out at Pushbutton Hill. The Blackfins have been on the smaller side here lately, but a few bigger ones have been mixed in. If you get to Pushbutton early, you can troll Tuna feathers before the boat traffic sends them down deeper. If you are fishing live baits, it is a good idea to vary the depths of your bait, don’t be afraid to send one down deep.
Bottom Fishing: Those fishing the bottom have been able to stay busy with a variety of Groupers and Snappers, Triggerfish, Sea Bass, Jacks & more. In the summer, we tend to occasionally get some cold water upwellings which can really affect the bottom fishing. If you notice that your lead is cold, are getting a bunch of slime weed on your line or marking a thermocline on your machine, you may want to pick up and look for a spot with some warmer water on the bottom. For those Grouper fishing, Gag Grouper closes on August 2nd, Snowy Grouper is closed. Red Grouper, Black Grouper and Scamp Grouper are all open until December 31st. We generally see some good Red Grouper fishing late in the summer in the 120’ range both on live baits along with chicken rigs with full squids. The Mangrove Snapper bite has been pretty good, if you are able to find live Sardines, those will be your best bet. Load up your well and fish both artificial and natural bottom to the north, focusing on bottom in the 70’-110’ range. Chicken rigs with pieces of Sardines will work for them as well. The Mutton Snapper bite hasn’t been on fire but those whoThe majority of the Mutton reports have been coming from the South around the Loran Tower in 70’-90’. You will definitely want to fish a long leader in the 40’ range to get the bite along with enough lead to keep your bait on the bottom. Grunt plugs are typically one of the favorite bait choices for those targeting Muttons, but live Threadfins or Pilchards can get the job done too. Those going out to Pushbutton have been able to pick away at the Vermillion Snappers using chicken rigs with pieces of squid on the bottom.
Nearshore Report: We have had a few cold water upwellings over the past few weeks which as mentioned isn’t ideal for bottom fishing, but is great for Cobia fishing. Those who have been running the beach looking for them have been able to catch a good handful. This is primarily a sight fishing fishery, if you spot the Cobias, you will just pitch a Cobia jig to them and it should be game on. Typically finding them is the hardest part. Those running up to the boils offshore of the power plant have had some decent Permit fishing. Your best bet will be live crabs on either a jig head or free lined. Anglers have also managed to catch the Permit on Pompano jigs, small bucktails and shrimp jigs.
Surf Fishing Report
The weeds have made it a bit difficult for those who have been fishing the surf. If you are planning on surf fishing, before you haul all your gear out, go look at the beach to make sure the shoreline isn’t covered in fresh weeds and that it isn’t rolling up in the waves. It will save you a lot of frustration in the long run. For those who have been able to find fishable conditions they have been met with some solid Whiting fishing with a few Croakers mixed in fishing the first trough, It is crucial not to over cast the fish as your bait will be sitting in no man’s land. Fishing two hours before the high tide and the first two hours of the outcoming tide is typically the most productive window. Pieces of frozen shrimp along with either Jingle Bites or Bloodworm flavored Fishbites has been the ticket.
The Snook fishing off the beaches has been very good this summer when the weeds aren’t in the way. Casting small paddle tails or jerk baits in the mornings and evenings will typically be productive. As the sun gets higher, you will be better off fishing live baits such as Croakers or white baits if they are around. Our beaches should be turning into a National Geographic episode once our annual mullet run begins. Expect to see more predatory fish such as Snook, Tarpon, Jacks, Sharks and more putting on a show once the bait shows up.
Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report – Capt. Angie Douthit
Lake Okeechobee’s current water level still remains lower than normal hovering around the
11.0 ft mark. The low water level allows for new native grass(s) to root, take hold and flourish.
I’m super excited for this upcoming guide season kicking off this October and anticipate a great
opportunity in catching lots of bass and an awesome spawn season for both bass and crappie.
Right now “what’s biting” is bass and bream. The bream bite will continue through the summer
months and bass can be caught fishing both the lake and Kissimmee River around the bream
beds. Local bass tournaments are catching some big sacks on the River and the Lake. If you
choose to fish the lake be aware of long idle times to reach fishable areas, take no short cuts
when running the lake and stay way out from the grass line due to rock bottom in most areas of
the lake. Harney pond canal located in Lakeport is a good place to launch if you’re wanting to
fish the lake which you’re able to run the pvc white pole markers that will safely guide you
around the Monkey box and on down to the Shoal area towards Clewiston. That is the only
safe way to travel for the current low water conditions of the Lake. If you’re launching from the
Kissimmee River, running out into the lake, be sure to stay way out from Kings bar (big grass
edge on your right) when running west towards Buckhead Ridge/Tin house/Indian Praire area,
sit down way out then idle in, it’s the safest way you’ll be able to reach/fish these areas until
the water level rises this Fall/early Winter timeframe. Lures for bass that are catching are:
Moibba; senkos; 12-13 inch worms; flipping/pitching lures; swim jigs/ swim baits; top water;
frogs; deep diving cranks and C-Rigs in the River. Lure choices are: Junebug; White;
Watermelon/Red; shad/crawdad colors; Red bug; Plum and Tequila Sunrise. For bream fishing:
live crickets/red wiggler worms fished just off the bottom with a small split shot hook when
fishing ledges in the River/deeper water areas and if you’re fishing the lake add a small bobber
pegged for the shallow depth that you’re fishing with light spinning gear such as a 7 ft spinning
rig with 4 lb Stren in clear-blue. To book you’re next fun-filled day on the water call me direct
at 863-228-7263, I am do return calls very efficiently and if you have questions please reach
out, I’m always happy to discuss any questions regarding booking a trip. I can accommodate
group trips and do offer Veteran discounts. I also work with the top hotel in Okeechobee
offering my customers deep discounts and will recommend top places to eat and enjoy “on land
activities” for those staying on land. My website is kept current and will provide the
information you’ll need to book your trip www.southfloridabassfishing.com
