SW FL-Bonita Beach: Nice Gags, Snapper & Sheepshead
Monday, 11/24, I fished with Jerry and Barb Rudan, from Wisconsin. They have been fishing with me for years and were looking forward to some good eating-fish. We managed that with two keeper gag grouper at 23 inches and 24 inches, eleven keeper mangrove snapper to 15 inches, and one 25 inch Spanish mackerel. We released lots of short gags. We used shrimp and sardines, with both the groupers caught on shrimp, in 49 feet 22 miles out of New Pass. Alene Haug, son Scott Kempfert, daughter Amy Akerberg and granddaughter Erica Akerberg fished central Estero Bay with me on Tuesday morning. The big sheepshead that have moved into the backwaters for winter were biting well, and we caught five nice-sized keepers to 18 inches, along with a half dozen keeper mangrove snapper, all on live shrimp. We released cravalle jacks. Wayne and Sue Detling, son, Tom, and daughter-in-law, Kelley, fished the reefs with me Wednesday morning. Despite weather forecasts calling for calm, two-foot seas, we fished in three-footers off the beach, with a swell rolling in from offshore. We came in a little early, in fact, due to rough conditions, after catching keeper mangrove snapper, grunts and sheepshead. We released gag grouper shorts to 19 inches and a couple of small flounder. After a day off for the Thanksgiving holiday, Jim McCarthy, his daughter, Mead, and their friend, Dave, fished with me Friday in 48 feet about 20 miles west of New Pass. We used shrimp and sardines to catch twenty-two keeper mangrove snapper, a nice lane snapper and as few good-sized whitebone porgies. We released lots of gag and red grouper shorts, along with one 21 inch true black grouper that was an inch short of legal size. Saturday morning, as winds picked up in advance of our next cold front, I fished central Estero Bay with Vince Tomlinson, his son, Mike, his daughter, Katie, and Katie’s boyfriend, Joe Kavanagh. Baited with shrimp, we caught six keeper mangrove snapper and seven sheepshead to 16 inches.
The photo shown is of angler Thomas Sylvester with a 37 inch king mackerel, caught on a live shrimp on a recent offshore Fishbuster Charter.
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Macks, Mangs & Muttons Offshore; Big Bay Sheepies
Lynn Harned, Davis Jenkins, Bruce Welsh and Bob Wogtowicz had planned an offshore trip with me for Wednesday, 11/19, but a cold front that dropped temps to the lowest of the season that morning, accompanied by high winds and building seas, caused us to reschedule for Friday. We fished Friday morning, just ahead of the next cold-front’s arrival, in the calmer seas between fronts. We headed out of New Pass about 19 miles and used live shrimp to catch ten nice mangrove snapper to 15 inches, three mutton snappers to 17 inches mutton snapper, three king mackerel to 26 inches, a 22 inch Spanish mackerel, and keeper-sized triggerfish and whitebone porgies. The guys kept the mangs, one mutton and one king for table-fare and we released all the rest, along with lots of gag grouper shorts to 21 ½ inches.
I fished on a very windy Saturday morning in Estero Bay with Sue Esposito and her children, Joe, age ten, and Lisa, age twelve. We fished with live shrimp along the mangrove shoreline and oyster bars, staying as sheltered from the wind as possible, and had good success with sheepshead, catching five nice ones to 18 inches. We also caught nine keeper mangrove snapper and released lots of smaller snapper and sheepshead.
The photo shown is of angler Dave Kovach with a 21 1/2 inch red grouper and a triggerfish, caught on a live shrimp on a recent offshore Fishbuster Charter.
South Indian River Fishing Report
November 21, 2008
INSHORE:
Ol’ Man Winter has left his mark this week along the Treasure Coast. Temperatures dipping into the 40’s and windy conditions have awaited anglers all along the river. A few mornings have started with light winds, but by afternoon, it has been blowing most of the time. It has been a week of catching up around the house and building rod racks in my spare time. Water temperatures have dipped into the low sixties and you can bet the fish will be heading for deeper water.
Most of the recent action has been around the bridges for either snook anglers looking for that slot fish or the catwalks holding sand perch, black drum, sheephead, snapper and a few founder. A lot of people have been fishing the bridges this week! Using live or dead shrimp will get you some action. Around the inlet, bluefish, jacks, ladyfish and mackerel have been roaming in packs and chasing anything that moves. Anything shiny should coax them into striking. Pompano have been reported south of Fort Pierce on the drop-offs and deeper flats of the river. Live shrimp, Doc’s Goofy jigs or sand fleas are good choices for pompano.
The jetties have held snook, jacks and bluefish lately. Snook fishing has been active mostly on the first part of the outgoing tides. Live baits have been the first choice of snook anglers. This time of year, it is good to fish the deeper cuts around island and mangroves and move up onto the shallower flats as the sun warms up the water. Redfish, especially, will sit on the flats to warm up in the sun. Being quiet and stealthy is essential now as the fish will scare easily and head to deeper water. Shrimp on popping corks is a great way to fish the deeper flats now. Remember that trout season is closed and releasing the fish quickly and safely is important now.
Tip of the Week: Using a de-hooker can help get the fish back into the water quickly and safely. It can eliminate handling of the fish and help it to survive and fight another day. There are many brands, sizes and types out on the market. Choose the one that will best suit your style of fishing. Snook season will close December 15th and that will leave them and sea trout out of season the last half of the month. They work wonderful on those dreaded catfish and puffers!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby….it’s an ADVENTURE!!
Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Kingfish, Yellowtail, Muttons, Mangs, Sheepies & Reds
Monday morning, 11/10, I fished with Brad Hayes and his six-year-old son, Cameron in central Estero Bay, using live shrimp. We caught seven redfish, one of which was a keeper, and four sheepshead, including one keeper. We released the smaller reds and sheepshead, along with some small snapper and two snook to 24 inches.
Friday morning, I fished with Peder and Linda Engebretson and their friends, Dan and Lynn. We headed out of New Pass to about 40 feet, where we used live shrimp to catch two keeper yellowtail snapper at 14 inches each, two 14 inch keeper mangrove snapper, five large whitebone porgies and three large triggerfish, all about 14 inches. We released a half dozen small amber jacks to 18 inches, an 8 pound goliath grouper, two 23 inch kingfish and lots of red and gag grouper shorts.
The gulf was so flat Saturday morning it was hard to believe that seas were forecast to build to six to ten feet by Sunday, with the approach of a cold front. I fished in 40 feet out of New Pass with Thomas and Laura Sylvester. We used live shrimp to catch a 37 inch keeper king mackerel, one of three kings we caught, a 19 inch mutton snapper, keeper mangrove snapper and whitebone porgies. We released gag and red grouper shorts.
The photo shown is of angler Chester Yanik with a 17 inch mutton snapper and an 18 inch mangrove snapper, caught on a live shrimp on a recent offshore Fishbuster Charter.
South Indian River Fishing Report
November 14, 2008
INSHORE:
With winter fast approaching and water temperatures dropping, anglers along the catwalks of Fort Pierce are excitedly reaping the rewards of braving the windy weather of November. Sand perch, snapper, black drum and croakers have filled the area with eager anglers looking to catch up on the feast that awaits them. Live or dead shrimp has put many good meals on the table recently. There have been lots of fish and lots of catching.
On the flats, the much awaited return of the pompano has finally arrived. While the numbers have been increasing, you can find pompano around the river along drop offs and deeper flats. Great table fare and battle on the hook. We found some pomps along the flats in 4 - 5 feet of water and had one take a DOA CAL jerk bait while fishing the flats. Live shrimp or sand fleas are the preferred baits while fishing for pompano. Look for lots of them to be along the surf in the near future.
If a fun day of fishing is all you need, look to the many jacks, mackerel, ladyfish and bluefish around the inlet right now. Tom Hull was down and we had a few hours of furious catch and release of some of the lesser renowned battlers out there. You can find some non-stop fun, especially for the young ones, out there awaiting you. Tom caught one of the biggest ladyfish I have seen on light tackle this week on the flats.
With the full moon, most of the snook fishing has been at night recently. Look around the inlet and bridges for your best opportunities using live bait. Lots of shorter snook have been hanging around the mangroves and provide some fun while ducking out of the windy conditions out there. Redfish reports have been mostly to the north in the Moorings and Round Island area. Live or cut bait has found a few willing to eat. We are still waiting for the flounder to show up in numbers and that shouldn’t be too far off.
Tip of the Week:
A reminder that the Fort Pierce channel from the north bridge to south of the southern bridge is due to return to a manatee zone very soon. Watch for the signs and slow down. We continue to see boaters ignoring slow speed zones. Whether you like them or not, they are the law and we must obey them. The fines aren’t worth taking the risk of being caught out there. Have fun and be safe.
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby….it’s an ADVENTURE!!
Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report
NOVEMBER 13, 2008
INSHORE - The inshore bite remains steady for anglers fishing from the catwalks of the South Bridge. They have been reporting good catches of sand perch, black drum, snapper, sheepshead and croakers. Most of these fish were caught on live shrimp. The snapper and black drum bite has been good along the channel edges and around just about any structure you can find. You will find a few sheepshead in the mix too. Again, a live shrimp has been the best bait. The snook action has remained steady for anglers fishing around the North Bridge and in the Ft. Pierce Inlet. Fish the tide changes and use live baits like a pinfish or a mullet. The hour before and the hour after the tide change has been the best time to get a keeper snook. There are a lot of smaller snook just about everywhere you fish. Most of these fish are around 24 inches and must be released as soon as possible. Not much to report about the redfish. There have only been a few small fish reported and they were caught and released up around Round Island. The catch and release trout have been very active on the flats between Harbor Branch and The Moorings. A live shrimp fished under a popping cork has been hard to beat. Just remember that with the colder water temps the fish will be moving a little slower. There have been some spanish mackerel and bluefish in the Ft. Pierce Inlet and they will take just about anything you throw at them.
OFFSHORE - The seas did lay over the weekend and the fish were there. We had several boats come back to the docks with dolphin to 15 pounds, 2 wahoo to 30 pounds and several kings that went to 36 pounds. We did get one report from Christopher King about a marlin that they had come up and slap at his bait but the marlin never took it. The fish was in about 500 feet of water. Most of the dolphin were caught on a naked ballyhoo in 500 to 600 feet of water. The wahoo took a black/purple skirted ballyhoo and was in 300 feet of water. The kings have stayed in 70 to 90 feet of water but did move in to about 50 feet on Sunday. They were taking live baits and we had 2 caught on a ballyhoo. There were several sailfish releases too. They were all from 110 to 130 feet of water and both to the north and south of the Ft. Pierce Inlet.
TEEN ANGLERS - This Sunday — November 16th will be the regular monthly inshore tournament for the Treasure Coast Chapter of Teen Anglers. Everyone is hoping that the weather will cooperate and we will be able to fish. This is after having to cancel the October tournament twice. The Teen’s will meet at Jaycee Park in Ft Pierce at 6:30am and fish until noon. We will have weigh in and then award trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the middle and high school divisions. If you would like more info on joining Teen Anglers or would like to be a boat volunteer and take a Teen fishing once a month you can go to the web at www.teenanglers.org for more info.
If you would like to report a catch you can e-mail me at cward11605@aol.com or you can call me at 772-201-5770. You can also reach me on the web at www.captjoeward.com
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe’s River Charters
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Mangs & Muttons, Red Grouper, Mackerel, Sheepshead & Snook
Wednesday, 11/5, I fished with live shrimp in 37 feet out of New Pass with Bill & Chris Henry and friends. Seas were pretty calm at 1-2 feet most of the morning, though it was a little sloppy about the time we headed in, with a brisk N, NE wind blowing. We caught a dozen large whitebone porgies, all 15-16 inches and a mess of mangrove snapper to 13 inches. We kept ten of the snapper and released the rest. We also caught seven mutton snapper, but only one of those was keeper-size. We released grunts, porkfish and red and gag grouper shorts, and we were broken off twice by kingfish.
Thursday morning, I fished with Duane McCoy and his father-in-law, Larry Connell, again 37 miles west of New Pass. We caught a king mackerel keeper at 29 inches, nine mangrove snapper keepers to 13 inches, a keeper mutton snapper and three large triggerfish about 14 inches each. We released mangrove snapper shorts and gag and red grouper shorts.
Mike and Lea Connealy, Leah’s dad, Dick, and friend, Rob, fished with me Friday morning in calm seas twenty miles west of New Pass in about 48 feet. We used live shrimp to land fifteen mangrove snapper to 15 inches, a 17 inch keeper mutton snapper, a keeper red grouper at 22 inches, triggerfish and porgies. We released a three-foot sandbar shark, lots of red and gag grouper short and had another couple cut-offs by king mackerel.
Saturday morning I fished inshore with the Dillane family, Michael and Vicki, eleven-year-old daughter, Rachel, and eight-year-old son, Malcolm. We used live shrimp along the mangrove shorelines of Estero Bay and caught four nice sheepshead to 17 inches. We released smaller sheepshead, small snapper and a 20 inch snook.
The photo shown is of angler, Jim Basara, with a 19 inch yellowtail snapper, caught on a live shrimp on a recent offshore Fishbuster Charter.
South Indian River Fishing Report
November 6, 2008
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INSHORE:
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Now that fall is in full swing around the
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Let’s take this week to talk about changing conditions on the river and changing tactics as well. Water temps have begun to drop and that will drive most fish to deeper water, especially in the mornings. Deeper cuts around mangroves, docks and islands will be good places to start in the mornings as the water continues to cool off. As the sun rises and the water warms again, you can find the fish heading back up on the flats to feed and get warm again. Redfish, especially, can be found cruising the flats at high noon during the cooler months of the year. Pompano will be in the deeper areas from three feet and better. Small jigs or live shrimp will work well for them.
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Slowing up your retrieve is essential to success this time of year. I like to take DOA shrimp or jerk baits and slowly work them across the flats or around the mangroves. The slower the better as the fishes metabolism slows down and they become lethargic as the water gets cooler. I like three to five feet of water this time of year. They will stay off the edges of the flats and move up onto them as the day wears on. Live or artificial shrimp on popping corks are wintertime fishing staples. I like to put one out the back of the boat while I fish artificials out the front. Gold spoons, suspending lures and jigs are all good lures when the water is cooler.
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Fishing docks can be exciting where snook, reds and other species will be hanging to catch an easy meal drifting by. I especially like DOA shrimp for dock fishing. Fish it slow and let it settle on the bottom. When the water is cold, fish the drop offs, channels and docks. It’s a great time of year. Changing tactics for the cooler months will help you be more successful. Have fun out there!
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This week on the river: Sand perch (mojarra) have invaded the inlet and the catwalks have been full of anglers fishing for them. They are a popular staple this time of year in this area. Live or dead shrimp will get you a feast right now. On the flats, snook, jacks and trout have been in the deeper cuts of the mangroves and flats. There are lots of jacks out there to keep you busy! A few pompano have been caught, but still waiting on them to arrive in numbers.
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Tip of the Week: As the cold fronts signal that winter isn’t far off, it’s important to dress in layers on those cool mornings.
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As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby….it’s an ADVENTURE!!
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report
NOVEMBER 6, 2008
INSHORE - You can tell that it is November with all the north and northeast winds and the cooler temps. The cooler temps are making the water temps drop and we all know what that does to the fish. My suggestion is to fish the deeper cuts and holes and to fish your baits slower. Most of the reports this week have come from anglers fishing from docks and the bridges. There has been plenty of sand perch, sheepshead and snapper and they have been taking live shrimp. The docks along both North and South Indian River Drive have been a good place for catch and release trout, small snook and some slot size redfish. The snook action has slowed some in the Turning Basin and the Ft. Pierce Inlet. There were only a few reports and they said they got their fish using a jig or a live shrimp. With either one remember to bump it along on the bottom.
OFFSHORE - The offshore story is still the same — rough sea conditions has made the fishing tough for the boats smaller than 40 feet. I did get reports of a few sailfish and scattered dolphin. The bite started in 130 feet of water to the north of the Ft. Pierce Inlet. Most of these fish were caught on ballyhoo.
TEEN ANGLERS - The weather did not cooperate on Sunday morning with 64 degrees and pouring rain. The inshore tournament was canceled. The next monthly inshore tournament for the Treasure Coast Teen Anglers will be on Sunday — November 16th. If you would like info on joining Teen Anglers or being a boat volunteer just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org
JUNIOR TEEN ANGLERS - The weather did cooperate for a little while on Saturday morning and they did get their from shore tournament in. The weather did keep a lot of the Juniors at home but our of 15 Juniors they caught 8 different species of fish.
In the 5 to 8 age group
1st place - Neeley Bankston - age 5 - Port St. Lucie - Allapattah Flats K-8
2nd place - Caleb Greer - age 8 - Port St. Lucie - St. Andrews
3rd place - Leah Pruitt - age 6 - Ft. Pierce - Fairlawn Elem.
In the 9 to 11 age group
1st place - Richard Henson - age 9 - Ft. Pierce - Fairlawn Elem.
2nd place - Cade Larson - age 11 - Palm City - Palm City Elem.
3rd place - Carson Moore - age 11 - Palm City - Hidden Oaks Middle
The biggest fish of the tournament went to Cade Larson for his 1lb. 14oz. ladyfish. All the fish were released. Our next scheduled from shore tournament will be held on Jan. 10, 2009 at Harbour Pointe Park in Ft. Pierce. For more info you can go to the web at www.teenanglers.org or call 772-201-5773.
If you would like to report a catch you can e-mail me at cward11605@aol.com or call me at 772-201-5770. You can also reach me on the web at www.captjoeward.com.
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt Joe’s River Charters
SW FL-Bonita Beach: Pompano, Sheepshead, Snapper & Flounder
Wednesday, 10/23, I fished the Bonita reefs with David Koenigsmark and Hubert Wright. Seas were predicted to build and we knew heading much further out than the reefs wasn’t likely to be too comfortable. The guys had just this day to fish, so we decided on the reefs about six miles from shore. Conditions got rougher as the morning progressed but we managed to bring home ten keeper mangrove snapper and a 14 inch sheepshead. We released additional mangs, grouper shorts, two small flounders and a three-foot barracuda. We used live shrimp for all.
In advance of a strong cold front, winds and seas kicked up Sunday and into mid-week. Offshore fishing was not an option in four to six foot seas, so Tom and Karen Gartland and their son, Danny, opted for some backwater fishing with me on Monday morning, 10/27. We fished central Estero Bay with live shrimp and caught three nice sheepshead to 17 inches and a keeper mangrove snapper. We released smaller sheepshead, along with three big stingray, one about ten pounds and two that were each about 30 pounds.
Offshore seas were a little scary Halloween morning so I fished central Estero Bay instead, with Greg Kosch and son, Alex. Winds stayed brisk all morning but we did fairly well along the tree-lines with live shrimp. We caught a 24 inch keeper redfish, three keeper sheepshead to 14 inches and a 16 inch pompano. We released smaller sheepshead and cravalle jack.
Saturday morning brought conditions similar to Friday’s and I fished the channel in Estero Bay with brothers Steve and Howard Potash and friend, Dennis. Winds were high and the tide was low but we caught a good number of fish. We ended up with five keeper sheepshead, out of about twenty caught, one keeper mangrove snapper, out of a dozen caught and a 14 inch flounder. We released the sheepshead and snapper shorts, along with a 17 ½ inch redfish that missed legal size by a half-inch.
The photo shown is of angler, Brad Bernardy, with a ten-pound bonito, caught on a live shrimp and released on a recent offshore Fishbuster Charter.
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Fishing Blog- Web Updates - Nov. 4, 2009
- Salmo Sting Review - Salmo Lures
- Salmo Chubby Darter Review - Salmo Lures
- Salmo Bullhead Review - Salmo Lures
- Salmo Hornet Review - Salmo Lures
- Shrimp Tease Review - Creme Lures
- Killer Diller Shrimp Review - Creme Lures
- Jerk N? Shrimp Review - Creme Lures
- Devil?s Tongue Review- Saltwater - Creme Lures
- Creme Shrimp Soft Plastic Lure Review - Creme Lures
