Stuart Winter Fishing

A typical winter pattern with sailfish on rough seas between 100 and 200 feet, kingfish in 40 feet, bluefish and spanish mackeral along the beaches. In shore there are small jacks marauding nearly everywhere, snook holding deep with the young more likely to grab shrimp floating by, trout on the grassflats and pompano and ladyfish digging around the sandy flats. It's just the fishing one would expect around the winter solstice and although the big fish are mostly in hiding there is plenty of fun if you like to catch fish on light tackle. Bluefish are the hefty ones and fight incessently but you may have to contend with a bouncing boat as the 3 to 5 foot seas work to shore. Just inside the inlet jetties and reefs will be a bit calmer but often only productive on an outgoing tide as the jacks (these a bit bigger) and bluefish look for bait being washed out with the darker estuary water.

The small jacks, trout and ladyfish can be great fun and perfect for young kids as they fight hard and generally travel in schools. Pompano are spotty this year but worth the effort as they are the best tablefare our waters can offer this time of year.

There are big fish to be caught from time to time, especially in low light levels, but they hang on the bottom and are far less active in the cooler water. Their size allows them to eat less and wait for passing food that is just right for a satisfying one gulp meal and requires little effort. The right offering at the right time can be productive.

Weather changes will slow down the fishing this time of year so the best days to fish are in a strong high pressure or just before a passing front. Wind and temperature drops give the inshore fish a reason to diet but since they must feed to live, this hiatus always ends when they get hungry enough.

It's generally necessary to bundle up in the morning and it could be mid morning before you feel comfortable enough to take off the sweatshirt. 70 to 80 degrees is generally our working temperature with occasional excursions above and below. As always, the wind and clouds will temper the temp but the air is dry and its generally easy to be comfortable.

Learn From The Best

You can't ask for any more than this; Lefty Kreah teaching you how to cast. This is a multi-part set of videos that contain all the information you need to learn to cast efficiently and properly for saltwater fishing. http://www.floridafishingweekly.tv/?channel=lefty&videofile=fishbuzz/flyfishing/leftyconcept

Bluefish Heaven

The water's chilly, even for early December. The early morning water temp was only 60 degrees but the snook were still on dock lights and had no problem eating a fly. Others were found after the sun came up but as the morning worked on toward low tide at 9am the activity wained. The inlet was full of bluefish that would eat anything that moved. All really good fish in the 2 to 3 lb range and running around in packs as long as the water was stained from the outgoing tide. As soon as the clean ocean water started filtering in the jig was up and it was nothing but casting practice. A great morning of fish catching fun. Tons better than spanish (more fish and more fight). Worth a look every time we're on the water with an outgoing tide.

Fishing Fun for All Ages

It's great when the fish are hungry. Spanish mackerel, jacks, black drum, ladyfish, catfish, croaker, snapper and snook all joined in the fun. Artificials, flies and live bait all produced fishing fun for grownups and the kids. The lack of rain has helped clean up the water and fish are getting used to the chill. The St. Lucie River is awake again.