Stuart Florida Charter Fishing

70 Degree Trigger

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 09:04:00 +0000

Just as soil temperature sparks seed germination and air temperature invites blossoms, water temperature turns on fish feeding. In Stuart, our primary fishing inshore companions, namely the Snook, Trout, and Tarpon all seem to wait for the days when the 70 degree mark has been reached in their atmosphere (the water). It’s not a feeding frenzy but more like breakfast time on an early Sunday morning when you start to nibble on what’s around without a strong motivation to fill up in a hurry. Fortunately, this process continues to escalate through the Spring months and culminates into heavy feeding for spawn and post-spawn. But most notable of the changes seems to be the crossing of that 70 degree threshold that invites the renewed activity for our friends that have been so hard to find over the winter months. And as consequence, our Wintertime partners of Ladyfish, Pompano, Bluefish and Spanish Mackerel all head off to the cooler waters they prefer and to play with others.

Snook Beginning to Feed

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 09:35:00 +0000

Our Snook population was definitely effected by the unseasonably cold Winter water temps, but as the warm up of Spring takes hold we’re starting to find more and more feeding Snook. Season remains closed until September but pictures are OK as we try to help our biggest inshore attraction fight the cold weather blues. To do our part we have not been targeting Snook since January but it seems that now, the hungry fish are feeling back in the game and we are more than happy to play. Of course, we’re a strong supporter of catch and release for Snook under any circumstances, so for our customers it’s business as usual. Now we’re looking forward to getting back out at night with the fly rod at the docklights. Water temperature is key to fishing activity.

When the Jacks are Running

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 09:04:00 +0000

As the wind and seas calm down in early Spring the near shore action begins to pickup with schools of adult Jack Cravelle. It’s an exciting time of year, here in the Stuart area, as we’ve become somewhat bored with the smaller fish available in the inshore waters of Winter. The 20 to 30 pound fish provide quite a challenge but worth the effort after a long cold winter.

You Know The Old Saying About Going Fishing; Not Catching….

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:48:00 +0000

Bluefish are a wintertime staple our nearshore waters and this year is no exception. If you can find where they’re hanging out, the fishing turns into non-stop catching. Great fun with almost any bait that imitates a baitfish. It’s a good idea to use something renewable because these fish with destroy any kind of soft plastics. Topwater plugs and spoons are a good choice. It’s great to watch them fight of the plugs as they skip across the surface. And you don’t have to be an expert at walking the dog to get some action. Admittedly, this can get a bit repetitive after an hour or so, and it kind of spoils other fishing afterwards that doesn’t produce action instantly and often. But if you want to have fun bending a rod and giving everyone a chance to catch fish, then this is a great game to play. Twice the fight, bigger fish and less work than Spanish Mackerel this fishing is a crowd pleaser for friends and customers from up north. Watch out for the teeth as these fish draw blood very easily. A good set of needle nose pliers or some other de-hooking device is a must.

Fall Fishing

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 09:38:00 +0000

The cooler, shorter days of autumn are known to slow down most everything up north, but down here in southeast Florida the waters get active. Huge schools of various baitfish activate feeding frenzies and crank up the excitement. Almost any size fish will consider glass minnows a tasty treat and when they show up in schools containing millions it’s impossible not to react. As parts of these schools move through the inlet and into the Indian and St. Lucy Rivers they’re predators also follow. Jacks, Spanish Mackerel, Blue Runners and Bluefish head in to our inshore waters in numbers not seen any other time of year. Snook, Tarpon, Redfish and Seatrout join them for an opportunity to feed on the candy. Like the Finger Mullet of last month, these feeder fish will also be eaten to the point where small schools will be hard to find, but some will linger for months to come in the shallow out-of-the-way spots further up river. I am often asked what is the best time to fish around Stuart and my answer is always depends on the type of fishing you prefer, but overall, for the opportunity to catch fish for fun, the Fall (hurricanes permitting) gets the top spot on a list that includes nearly every month on the calendar.

Mullet Run Bonanza

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:08:00 +0000

When the Finger Mullet begin to show up everything changes. The flats and the seawalls come alive with Snook and Jacks that have suddenly appeared in big numbers. When you’ve been afforded the opportunity to be on the water for the leading edge of the September show, it makes for an exiting trip. This year has been exceptional with the six-inchers pushing through inlet in huge schools as the water vibrates with their presence. A cast net thrown on a shallow shoreline will generally produce the greatest bounty and provide hours of excitement. If you don’t fish the seawalls then you’ve missed the real fun as these baits insist on staying near the surface as the predators lurk below prepared to take advantage of both the wall and the air above as barriers to escape. The Snook that have become so elusive since the opening of season at the first of the month now have a reason to feast. And those Jacks that we’ve seen so seldom during the hot summer months are suddenly everywhere. The activity is greatest at the outset and should continue for a few weeks. This is also a great time to throw top water plugs, especially those that imitate the Finger Mullet. Toss them into any area of activity and there’s a good change of a hookup. Again, seawalls are ground zero.

Jetty Snook

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:34:00 +0000

Lived here all his live and fished extensively and this morning, Don caught his first Snook. Wind and waves were a challenge but we persevered to take advantage of the inlet activity. Hopefully, Don will be back for more. The Mullet Run perhaps?

Inshore Midsummer Action

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 19:17:00 +0000

It’s a typical summertime pattern. Warm water that gets warmer as the sun gets higher. Snook are feeding to bulk up for the spawn which is just around the corner. Jacks are using seawalls to trap baitfish. And overall, the best fishing is early which works to the angler’s advantage as the midday sun and light winds can be very uncomfortable most days.

Big Snook are gathering to spawn and if your timing is right catching a 15 to 20 pound sideliner’s is do-able any day. You want to try to feed them something big because they want to eat big meals. And make sure your tackle is strong. When they’re hungry they will swallow the hook readily, and if the exposed leader isn’t heavy they will saw through the line in no time. And treat them gently. Handle them as little as possible. Keep them in the water if at all possible and don’t let them get too exhausted. We need those big fish to spawn successfully. They’re not in season till next month anyway.

Topwater plugs are excellent summer morning baits. Throw at seawalls and feeding schools of fish. They’re great on the grass flats to call up trout. Again, the earlier the better.

Summer Arrives

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:04:00 +0000

Well, summer pattern is now in effect. Weather has taken on the normal summer feel with warm and humid mornings, hot middays and afternoon thunderstorms. It's been taking its time but the water is warming up and bait is increasing in numbers. Instead of seas rocking and rolling at 4 to 5 feet, they are calming to 1 to 2. And with all of these changes the available fish to catch are increasing....especially if your looking for fun. The False Albacore (aka Little Tunny or Bonito) are formitable fighters and a challenge on spinning tackle and the flyrod. They are looking for food and eat just about anything from Greenies to Glass Minnows. To get them to take a fly it's best to chum to attract them to the boat and then offer the fly. They can be found at most any depth but there's more action in the top 15 feet of the water column. When they're feeding on Glass Minnows and making a ruckus on the surface, it's easy to get them to take small plastic baits if you can get in on the feeding frenzy. This process lasts all summer long so the window of opportunity is wide open. And if you're out in deeper water there's always a chance that a Sailfish or Dolphin (Mahi) will pick up your bait before the Tunny can get there. It's fishing, so action is not guaranteed, but it's a good bet throughout the summer.

May Fishing

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Sun, 17 May 2009 08:37:00 +0000

Don't remember a month of May that was this bad for fishing. Winds have been relentless with even the early morning calm available only once a week or so. East shorlines are constantly pounded by fishing activity and it's best to leave the flyrod at home.

Of course, we can't get outside on the beaches so the search for the last schools of big Jacks has not gone well. We've been largely relegated to the inlet when the winds dies down enough and there are Jacks about but these are the feeding adolesents in the 5 to 8 lb. range. On the occastion when we can squeeze out a few hours to go outside it seems the bait has been in short supply and fishing is very spotty.

Ocean water temperature can't seem to get out of the 70's which is paramount for baitfish and and their suitors. Indian River and St. Lucie River water temps have been consistantly in the upper 70's and lower 80's and water quality is generally good. This is good news for grass beds and there is visible evidence of much needed growth.

Inside fishing is tough and wind restricted but northerners usually depart satisfied after catching a few Snook, Jacks, Spanish Mackerel, Grouper, Trout or Snapper. During the past week we've fished for Tarpon every morning at daybreak and had plenty of rollers but only one catch. The Manatee are always a good side show and sometimes insist on being distractingly friendly.

Springtime Snook

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:26:00 +0000

It's time for Snook to begin feeding and heading for the inlets and that's exactly what is happening. Water temperature is in the low 70's and the days are getting longers as the snook have sensed their need to prepare for spawning. Crab patterns are especially productive this time of year as the spring crab hatch is encouraging snook to watch for something brown swimming slowly in the current. Although the DOA Terroreyz is shaped like a fish, there is little doubt that snook and tarpon see it as crab when presented with the rootbeer colored morsel. And crabs, too, work very well. Expecially the small ones. The key is to present the bait properly to feeding fish. Snook feed in the current and especially where there's a shadow to protect them from the bright sunlight. Crab can be a good pattern anytime, but it's especially good in May.

A Slow Spring

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 09:04:00 +0000

Wind and water temperature have a dramatic effect on our fishing and this year is a banner year for both. Reports and blogs and newspaper articles only mention these dramatic effects anicdotically and generally find ways of regurgitating previous year's postings in the absence of any real current information. We certainly don't want to advertise anything negative when the industry is in such a depressed condition.

The reality, however, is that spring fishing has been sporatic and migrations have been slow to materialize. I belive this is mostly due to the persistently low water temperature and the wind which holds fish toward the bottom.

We'll work out of this as summer arrives, but I am happy that it has happended during a year of realatively low fishing charters and far less tourists in the area. Every year is a bit different but this one has been especially unexciting and summer can't come soon enough.

Jacks have arrived!

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:20:00 +0000

Schools of huge Jacks have begun their yearly migration to the beaches off Stuart and Jensen Beach. If the vacationers don't make it down this year they will miss what looks to be a great season with these big fighters. Large schools have been seen when the waters have calmed. Catching these guys is somewhat of an art, as they are not likely to be feeding. What is thought to be a spawning ritual changes their normal hunt and devour habits and they join together in schools just off the beaches and hang around daisy chaining and drifting with the current. These fish are a great fight on the right tackle (they'll spool you if your not ready for it or undersized) and an exciting challenge with a fly rod. If you see them and bust in to get them to feed on a Greenie, well, good luck. Not much chance of hooking up unless you know the tricks. And there's a boating etiquette also. These fish spook easily and and it's one boat per school at a time. Give another boat a wide birth and wait for the school to come to you or go find another. Give us a call if you need help.

Nightime Efforts and Lessons Learned

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:58:00 +0000

Sometimes you just need to turn on that brain and avoid the traps caused by habitual fishing. Dock lights were not covered up with Snook and the 66 degree water temperature was actually pretty good for late February. The little shrimp were jumping around under the lights and small fry swam around feeding on the particles of food and even smaller organisms collected for the evening food chain. Current was not good which can be an impediment to feeding, but it was strange that the fish just weren't around.

As we looked for useful places to throw the fly we happened onto a light which turned out to be good for all the right reasons. Current pouring in from the inlet and the surface whipped up by the wind. A good white light facing into the water and a low dock with good cover and the ability to position the boat so that our presence was not advertised. Tough to fish but very productive with the right fly. Nothing subtle here as these fish were there for something to eat because the expected the food to be rolling in from the ocean.

The lesson, of course, is that when the obvious pattern isn't working, you need to start thinking about what is different. It didn't occur to me until later that since it hadn't rained in 3 months and the incoming tide was strong that I had to be more vigilant about stealth. When we would find a light with fish on it and place one or two casts into the right spots there would suddenly be no fish. Moving out of the way and hiding the boat would have been step number one and a lighter leader with a clear line tip would have been number two. This water was clean and fairly clear and at lights with little current our presence was very obvious to the fish. If the fish are focused on feeding you can get away with a lot more. When they're not focused on feeding, they will focus on things that they perceive as dangerous.

Fortunately, we did find fish and the customer was happy with the trip. I was happy with their satisfaction but unhappy with my performance as I needed to be more of a captain by evaluating the situation and controlling the presentation for better results. I plan to do better next time.

February Report

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 12:02:00 +0000

The final stretch of Winter is here and fishing patterns are holding true to the season. Snook are on dock lights at night and deeper during the day. Ladyfish and Pompano on the sandy mid depths and Trout on the grassy flats. Bluefish have been strong this year and seem to show up anywhere they might get a meal.
If you fly fish and are looking for Snook, then a couple hours before daylight or evening fishing is your best bet. Although this is true generally and for most of the year, it is especially true in the latter part of winter. With less bait in the water and colder temperatures to deal with the Snook will expend only the energy necessary to get a quick meal. Dock lights concentrate bait that will, in turn, concentrate Snook.
Sunny days and cool water is a good combination to attract fish to the flats. One to two feet of water, especially if its clear water, is likely to hold Snook, Trout and (further north) Reds. Much depends on the quality of the water and condition of the bottom, but a bright sunny day should move bait, fish and fishermen to the shallows. Slow and natural is the best presentation.
Swimming live bait is good near structure like bridges. It's important to get it down and in front of their faces as it's cool down there and the fish will not expend a lot of energy roaming around looking for food.
As this winter has been very dry and both runoff and dumping from the Big "O" have been virtually non-existent, we have considerable water clarity and high salinity levels. This is great news for all involved but it also effects presentation with flies and and other artificial lures. Technique and accuracy become far more important in this water. If you're lack in both, live bait is generally the best solution.

Greenwater and Bluefish

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:55:00 +0000

Schools of bluefish roam around in the inlet and near shore looking for baitfish to terrorize. You can catch them with most anything but we got the most fun using topwater plugs. With most fish in the 3 to 5 pound range this was a crowd pleasing trip that required just a bit of learning how and great rewards thereafter. Its tough on your captain with four lines in the water and two hooked up most of the time, but the non-stop action is worth the effort and for those who fly down for the weekend and take a short trip in the boat for a few hours of fishing this is a gold mine of excitement.

Docklight Turn-on

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:06:00 +0000

Not every night can produce constant docklight snook action but this one certainly delivered. On most nights you can see the snook stacked and lined up to pick off approaching snacks in the current but so often it takes a lot of casts to get your presentation just right to be choosen. This time it was "as advertised" and they were ready, willing and able to play the game. Fiesty players too, even though the water was a bit chilly at 61 degrees. Interesting that we spent the first two hours in daylight looking for fish and couldn't find even a small jack to hit a fly. Nightfall and docklights changed our luck. I guess the first two hours were for casting practice. It's always great to hear an experienced fisherman exclaim with excitement about docklight fishing.

Dock Light Snook

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:53:00 +0000

A great way to catch snook in the dead of winter is to head out just as dark approaches in the evening and park near a bright dock light. You don't have to wait very long before the snook start darting around as they chase small shrimp and bait fish that are attracted to the lights. After a while you'll see dozens of snook hanging around in the current and waiting for their snacks to come floating by. The dilemma is to determine how to fish this event. Choosing the tackle is the first step and if you can work a fly rod you have the best opportunity. The fly rod gives you the needed accuracy for fishing dock lights at night while the spinning rod is easy to cast you'll find its really hard to hit your spot in the dark and the dock owners collect a lot of lures in the morning. With a fly rod you have that connection with the fly and can place it where the presentation is most likely to produce results. It's a good idea to practice your casting before going out on the water as it will still take a little time to get used to hitting your mark. Now just choose the right fly and you've got a hookup! I know it's not quite that easy, but that's why you hire a guide. Most nights we can expect to boat 6 to 10 fish. Some nights the hookups are relentless. One thing for sure, it's a lot better than watching television at 8 o'clock in the evening. Just ask Curt. He caught this one just after his wife called to reported on the 6 inches of snow back in Detroit.

Stuart Winter Fishing

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 11:01:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 16:16:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 12:32:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (WintersNet) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:42:00 +0000

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.