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Fishing Reports for Local Area - Location |
    
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 216
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 12, 2009 - 4:27 am: | |
November 11, 2009
INSHORE:
Tough fishing conditions along the Treasure Coast had anglers scratching their heads and wondering when and where they might go fishing lately. Lots of wind each day made it a challenge to get out on the water. Offshore was pretty much out of the question and inshore wasn't much better. After canceling several days, we finally made the attempt on Sunday. It made for a very limited area to fish.
Will Whitehead and his friend, Ty Fisher, were back out with me on Sunday. They caught fish, but it was tough fishing in both the wind and waves that we endured. The water was pretty chopped up and will take several calm days to clean up the water conditions. The trout bite should continue to hold it's own, but don't forget that it's catch and release. I didn't hear much about snook fishing this week. The conditions were right for activity around the jetties at night, but few dared the adventure. The weekend is much more promising for fishing. Still some winds, but nothing like the past week out there.
Pompano fishing should improve with the cooling off , sand fleas, Doc's Goofy Jigs and DOA jerk baits will work well when fishing for pomps. Add that toof the water temperatures. They have been in the river and along the surf. Live shrimp your next trip out fishing. Some sand perch have been caught around the bridges and it should take off now as well. Live or dead shrimp are great off the catwalks. We should see some flounder around the jetties and bridges soon. As things get back to normal, the fishing should be good out there.
Tip of the Week:
Make sure you pack your rain gear as winter continues to work its way into the Treasure Coast. It might not rain, but those windy days can get you wet just as well on the water. Wear your rain gear when traveling around on the water to keep that cold spray from getting you soaked. We have many windy days throughout the wintertime and into spring. Planning on how to battle the winds and deal with the waves and sea spray can make an otherwise uncomfortable day into a much more enjoyable trip on the water. Have a safe and fun time out there!
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 |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 215
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 4:00 pm: | |
November 6, 2009
INSHORE:
I usually talk about windy weather in March, but here we are in November and we have windy conditions throughout the Treasure Coast and it appears to be here for several days. The fishing has been very good out there, but few anglers have been able to brave the choppy waters to give it a try. I managed a day out earlier in the week, but had to cancel the last couple of days with small craft advisories out.
The pompano bite has been good and I found some early in the week that were feeding under the ladyfish and jacks. They have been nice size in the 15 - 18 inch range. Live shrimp, sand fleas, DOA shrimp or Doc's Goofy Jigs can get you some action on a very tasty fish this time of year. There are also pomps along the beach when it is fishable. Snook fishing around the inlet has continued to be productive on the tide changes and at night. Live mullet, Bait Busters and feather jigs are all good choices for snook. If you are fishing around the spillways, try the Bait Busters or TerrorEyz for good results. Redfish reports were mostly north of Fort Pierce around the Moorings. It's a tough place to fish this week though. Trout season is closed, but the bite had been very good. Release the fish carefully and handle them as little as possible.
Bridges have held snapper, black drum and sheephead with a few reports of some sand perch moving into the inlet. The river is overrun with jacks and ladyfish and lots of fun for the kids and young at heart. I found lots of tarpon at first light around the turning basin earlier in the week. Live mullet will be your best bet at coaxing one into striking. Bluefish have been hanging around the mouth of the inlet along with big jacks, tarpon and snook. It's a great time of year to fish......just a little challenging this week.
Please take a moment and keep one of my good fishing buddies, who is also a cousin, in your thoughts. Tom Hull has accompanied me on many scouting trips to try out new lures, try new fishing areas and just help me enjoy a day on the water. He was diagnosed with cancer this summer and has been going through treatments since then. I haven't been able to get him out fishing since August and look forward to having a chance to take him out one day soon. He truly loves to fish and I miss him being on the water. Thanks for thinking of him!
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
Tom Hull on one of his recent fishing trips on the Indian River.
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 214
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 4:25 am: | |
October 29, 2009
INSHORE:
Warm fall weather has been the norm lately along the Treasure Coast. Light winds have allowed anglers to enjoy the great fishing action around the Indian River. Lots of baitfish all over the river this time of year makes it a fantastic time to fish. There is some great action all over the area, so plan on a fishing adventure soon!
Trout fishing continues to be the best bite all along the river. Jim Kosko, son, Brennan, and his friend, Grey was out with me earlier in the week. The guys battled with some snook around the docks, losing several big fish. We headed north of Fort Pierce and fished the grass flats for trout. Lots of trout continue to feed around the bait schools in two to five feet of water. The trout were waiting on the guys and along with some snook, ladyfish and jacks, they had a busy morning of fishing the Indian River flats. Brennan and Grey had a great time catching fish. DOA Deadly Combos or live shrimp will keep you busy reeling during the fall months. Harbor Branch, Bear Point and Queen's Cove continue to yield good amounts of good size trout.
Snook fishing around the inlet has been good on the high end of the tides and at night. Jmes Herta sent me an email and photo of his first slot snook (29"). He caught it on a Mirr-O-Lure along the Stuart Causeway. Lots of tarpon continue to feed the inlet at night. The bluefish are along the jetties and invading the river for their share of the spoils. Spanish mackerel are spreading around the river and the turning basin will soon provide some great action for anglers. Pompano are along the surf and lots of fish are being caught south of Fort Pierce on the deeper flats. Redfish are being caught around the docks in the river. Bridge anglers are eagerly awaiting that first sign of the sand perch bite. There is action all over the river, so get out fishing soon!
Tip of the Week:
Just a reminder that trout season is closed November and December each year. Everyone is always attuned to snook season, but many forget about the closing of trout season. Catch and release is very important to trout. A de-hooker can reduce handling the fish for a quick release. The season will re-open on January 1st. Vermilion snapper will also go out of season on November 1st in the Atlantic and re-open on April 1st. It is important to keep track of seasons and sizes of fish. Ignorance of the law is never an excuse to possess an illegal fish.
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
Action from this weeks fishing!
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 213
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 23, 2009 - 5:33 pm: | |
October 23, 2009
INSHORE:
As our first winter front blew into the area, reminders of things to come was sure in my mind. A cold front followed by windy days made it challenging for sure. We did manage to get out a few days later this week and skirted most of the wind to fish around the river. The weekend looks much more favorable, so plan to get out now that this front has finally calmed down.
The trout bite continues to be the best around the river. John, Tom and Jeff were out with me on Thursday and we found a great trout bite later in the morning. Lots of trout, a couple reds and a variety of other fish kept them busy once the bite took off. Larry, from West Palm, and Richard, from Oklahoma, were out with me today and after a couple of spots, the trout bite again turned on for us. Live shrimp, DOA Deadly Combos, and CAL jerk baits kept our reels busy on the trout flats. There are some big gators out there, too. Richard had three on that ended up getting the best of him. We did boat a number of good trout in the 18 - 22 inch class. Bear Point, Queen's Cove and Round Island are all good areas to get in on the trout action.
The inlet has been busy with mutton snapper. While most are undersize, many bigger fish have been taken. Not a lot of snook report with the windy conditions, but they are out there feeding, too. Pompano and Spanish mackerel have invaded the river. Captain Chris Nelson sent me a report of skipping just south of Fort Pierce. The deeper flats from the south bridge down to the power plant will be holding pompano. Spanish mackerel have been in the inlet and turning basin and also just south of Fort Pierce in the deeper flats. We hooked up on a nice Spanish on the Deadly Combo this week. It's a great time of year to fish!
Tip of the Week:
We are getting into that breezy time of year when most days will bring some kind of windy weather. Using the wind to your advantage can also help in your fishing. Drifting the flats can give you the opportunity to fish a larger area to find the fish bite. Both days this week, we would start near the lee side of the land and let the wind drift us across the flats. Each time we found that trout would be feeding in certain parts of the flats. With each drift, we would move a little north or south of the last one. Once the bite stops, move back again. You can fish big areas and once you find a good bite, it's easy to anchor in the productive areas. I seldom anchor up to fish. I have went to an area that had a good bite one day and nothing the next. By using a drift method, you will many times find that the fish are there, but just in another part of the flat that day. It works!
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 |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 212
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 16, 2009 - 9:34 am: | |
October 16, 2009
INSHORE:
We have enjoyed lots of great fishing around the Treasure Coast this week. Maybe not a lot of big fish, but plenty of action to keep rods bending in all directions. Hoards of baitfish around the river has the fish gorging themselves on the easy meals. We have caught a variety of species and have lots of fun out there!
While trout have continued to bite well on the flats, the big news has been that the pompano have shown up in the river. Anglers have been waiting for the tasty fish to come back to the area for winter. Start looking in three to six feet of water along the edges of the flats and you can have some great dinner fare. Live shrimp, sand fleas or pompano jigs are the best options. Doc's Goofy Jigs are very popular this time of year and pink has been a favorite color.
There are some big fish around some of the docks to the south of Fort Pierce. Harper and Dave had one on for a short time before getting spooled by one of the big boys. We found snook around the docks while Mitch and Brianna were out with me. A DOA TerrorEyz will find the fish around the docks. Pat and Dalton Wells were down and I have never seen so much activity around the river as that day. As far as you could see in any direction, bait was being crashed by just about every species on the river. It was an amazing day for all of us. 13 year old, Dalton, caught fish till his arms were worn out. We ended the week by taking Grandma Eva and our two grandkids, Chloe and Brody out for an afternoon on the water. Four year old, Chloe, ended her day with two fish that kept her busy reeling.
Trout on the flats in two to five feet of water on both live shrimp and Deadly Combos are consistent from Round Island to the Power Plant. Redfish reports have been mostly to the north near Round Island and south towards Midway Road. Snook and tarpon around the jetties have provided good fishing at night on live bait or diving plugs. Snapper and black drum are still being caught around the bridges and channel edges. Ladyfish and jacks are just about anywhere you drop a line. It's been an exciting week for us on the river.
Tip of the Week:
As the pompano continue to migrate to our area, it's a great time of year to surf fish. Seems like anglers will be sitting around being bored on the beach until a school of pomps come cruising through and everyone hooks up at once. Get some sand fleas or shrimp and head down to the beach. These fish put up a good battle and are excellent tasting when broiled or grilled. They are simple to clean. I generally just cut off the head and remove the organs. This give you all the meat with no waste. When grilling I simply cut some slits in the skin and baste it with lemon, garlic and butter as it slowly grills. Get out there fishing soon and try some pompano!
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
A fun day with the grandkids!
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Enjoying the Indian River this week!
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 211
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 09, 2009 - 1:10 pm: | |
October 7, 2009
INSHORE:
It has been a lot of fun on the water this week. Action has been good, especially for the trout bite. Each time out there has produced lots of trout on the flats. We have fished both north and south of Fort Pierce with the same results. Deeper water on the edges of the flats has held lots of fish. Find the bait schools and you will find the fish hanging around there. It's been a good week!
Todd and Lauren were down again, They caught a lot of fish and lost a couple big ones, too. A good variety of fish were to be had from lookdowns to gag grouper. I was out with Pat and Dalton for a weekend of fishing. We caught trout and redfish among our catch. Most fish came along the edges of the flats in two to five feet of water. Live shrimp or DOA shrimp will get you plenty of action out there. CAL jerk baits have also been very productive on the flats. Docks are holding big jacks, redfish and snook. Top water early, followed by DOA TerrorEyz are great lures for dock action.
Snook fishing around the inlet has been good, with lots of tarpon action at night on the jetties. Some good reports of bigger snapper around the jetties as well lately. Bridges are holding black drum and snapper. The turning basin is still boiling with ladyfish, blue runners and jacks. It's a free-for-all on the high tide. Fishing has been great and will continue as the baitfish fill the river. Plan on getting out soon!
Tip of the Week:
Lots of hungry anglers are gearing up for pompano season. Some recent reports of pompano along the beaches this week will have many surf anglers out in search for the tasty fish. There are many lures, rigs and baits to use, but sand fleas have always been the favorite on the beach. As the water begins to cool off in fall, the pompano begin their journey along the surf. The river will be active with schools of pomps patrolling along the flat edges. Have a rod rigged and ready for them as you fish the river. You just never know when you might run upon a school. Pompano season isn't far off!
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
Some of this weeks action on the water.
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 210
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 01, 2009 - 3:35 pm: | |
October 1, 2009
INSHORE:
Mild weather has made fishing along the Treasure Coast a joy! Gone were the 90+ days for a while and cool breezes made for wonderful fishing weather. We have enjoyed some really good fishing on the river and client have caught a lot of fish this week.
Jeff and Jane Hearn joined me early in the week and they caught trout after trout, including one redfish and each a snook to their catch. John Dadak and Johanna Grauer was out with me later this week and we got into the trout again and larger trout as well. Johanna boated a big 22" gator trout, while John landed a 22 1/2" and 24" to add to the days catch. John lost a couple trout that would have topped his 24". They also caught a smorgasbord of fish including several snapper species and snook. It was a fun week on the water!
Try the DOA Deadly Combo, live shrimp or CAL jerk baits for good results on trout on the flats. Queen's Cove, Harbor Branch and the east shore south of Fort Pierce have all been productive this week. Snook fishing around the inlet has been good at night with live bait, TerrorEyz, top water or diving plugs. Lots of bait around the river has kept the predators busy feeding. We found acres of glass minnows in the turning basin and the ladyfish, bluerunners, mackerel and jacks were constantly crushing them. Some decent size tarpon are also around the inlet chasing bait.
Snapper and black drum continue to hang around the bridges and channel edges. A couple reports of the first pompano along the beaches this week will be welcome news to surf anglers. We encountered a number of sharks recently. When you reel in a half of a ladyfish and the head of a nice trout.......they are out there. It's been a fun and productive week on the water.
Tip of the Week:
Safe boating is a responsibility of each boater on the water. If you haven't done it, it is a great idea to take one soon. The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers safe boating courses throughout the year. Learn the basics of waterway signs, navigation, Federal and State regulations, adverse conditions, how to handle emergencies, and lots more. Anyone under the age of 22 must have a safe boating course in order to operate a vessel. Some insurance companies offer discounts for safe boating courses. Check with your local Coast Guard Auxiliary for the next course. Safe boating is everyone's responsibility!
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
Jeff and Jane with a couple snook. John and Johanna with a few big gator trout this week.
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 209
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 24, 2009 - 4:51 pm: | |
September 24, 2009
INSHORE:
East winds kept most boaters off the ocean this week. It didn't affect the river as much, but we have found the water on the dirty side both north and south of Fort Pierce. The fall equinox has bought higher tides to the area and made it possible to fish some usually shallow areas. It has made it harder to find the redfish for us lately. The fishing on the river has been very good for us.
Trout has been the mainstay on the river. Lots of trout are on the flats and fishing around the bait schools can give you lots of action. Deadly Combos, CAL jerk baits and live shrimp can all get you hooked up. Colors didn't seem to make as much difference as fishing the baits slowly along the bottom. We found a good number of snook feeding in the same areas. Harbor Branch, Queen's Cove and the east side of the river south of Fort Pierce have all been good areas. Rick and Glen were down over the weekend and we found the trout to be cooperative most of the day. Redfish were difficult to find in the deeper water.
The turning basin has been boiling some days with mackerel, ladyfish, jacks and blue runners. Small shiny lures can give you all the action you can handle with these fun fish. Snapper around the flats, channel edges and bridges have been providing good table fare to lots of hungry anglers. Snook around the inlet has been good at night with top water, diving plugs and live bait. The jetties have been pretty rough to fish with the easterly winds, but hardcore anglers have continued to do well. Beaches had been producing lots of whiting when fishable. Seaweed has been the plague in the surf for a while now.
Tip of the Week:
Have fun on the water! That's what it's all about anyway. Whether fishing, boating or sitting on the beach......just plan on a fun day. Catching fish is just another added bonus. There is nothing more relaxing than being on the water. Take a few minutes and enjoy the sights and sounds that abound around the Treasure Coast. It's already a troubled world out there so enjoy your time on the water. It's a wonderful way to relieve the tensions of your world. Have some fun soon!
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 |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 208
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 17, 2009 - 3:45 pm: | |
September 17, 2009
INSHORE:
Beautiful fall like days have made fishing along the Treasure Coast much more enjoyable lately. Of course, the temperatures haven't quite dropped yet, but it has been gorgeous out there. The bait fish are everywhere around the inlet, river and beaches. It is a fantastic time of year to be fishing!
Keith Mullins and Cai joined me early in the week. We spent the morning trout fishing and had a nice time enjoying the day and watching Cai catch trout and feed the rest of them. It was a fun day. I did some scouting this week, too. Spent most of the morning just looking around and watching the bait schools. Got broke off by a big snook under the mangroves and boated a nice 28" redfish to end a relaxing day on the river.
Snook fishermen are doing well at night on the jetties, docks and bridges of the inlet. Live bait can get you hooked up on snook or tarpon at night. Bomber plugs or feather jigs have also worked good at night. There have been some Spanish mackerel in the turning basin along with some bluefish chasing bait there. Trout fishing has been best in three to five feet of water. DOA Deadly Combos and live shrimp can keep you busy around Harbor Branch, Queen's Cove and Middle Cove. The tides have been too high lately to spot redfish schools, but you can still find them around their usual haunts. Snapper, black drum and sheephead have been around the bridges and channel edges. Plan on getting out soon!
Tip of the Week:
Making sure your drag is set properly can make the difference in landing a fish or losing one. Adjust your drag to suit the conditions you are fishing. On the flats, a lighter drag load will give you less chance of pulling the hook on a fish. The fish have no where to hide out there. Around mangroves and docks, you might have to tighten the drag some to have a chance at getting the fish out from under structure before it breaks you off. Match your gear to your fishing. Lighter equipment on the flats is all you need and you can step up your equipment around docks, bridges and other structure. Setting your drag properly can give you better results on the water.
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
Redfish on the Indian River this week.
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 207
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 11, 2009 - 3:54 pm: | |
September 11, 2009
INSHORE:
The annual fall mullet run has officially began around the Treasure Coast. Eager anglers have been hitting the inlets, beaches and river in anticipation of catching one of the big fish that will be feeding on the finger mullet. Tarpon, snook, jacks and many other species will be cruising along the beaches or cornering bait around the inlet and seawalls. It's a fantastic time of year!
Our week consisted of drifting the trout flats and skirting the many rain storms. Lots of rain this week has come early in the day, but you can fish north or south of the systems as they get blown in from the east. The result has been a great trout bite for the clients this week. Jim, Jim Jr. and John had lots of fun with the trout and snapper. Sandy, Lindy and Debbie just as much fun drifting the flats and catching trout after trout. Most were in the 15 - 22 inch range and they did lose a few bigger fish. If you just want to get out and have some fun catching a lot of fish.....head out to some of the trout flats. Live shrimp, pigfish and the Deadly Combo provided them with an action packed day on the water. The usual trout flats up and down the river have provided us with hours of fun!
The nighttime snook bite has been incredible in talking to some of the snook anglers this week. With all the mullet coming into the river, the snook are crashing bait all through the inlet. The hardest part of fishing for them has been finding spots that aren't overcrowded with people. Top water, diving plugs and feather jigs along with live bait have kept anglers busy on the moving tides. Redfish schools are still active on the flats, but with the higher tides this week it has been harder to spot them in the shallows.
Lots of snapper are still being caught on the bridges and channel edges of the river. Live or dead shrimp are working very well. Beaches will be very active, but right now the seaweed has been hindering the anglers. Look for the action on the flats to take off as the schools of finger mullet fill the river and bring in the predators. It's a fantastic time of year!
Tip of the Week:
We have done a lot of trout fishing the past couple weeks. An easy way to find the trout is to drift the flats. Anchoring will restrict the area you are fishing and the trout may be feeding just beyond your cast. I always start upwind of the area that I intend to fish. It's been a slow drift lately and that gives you a much greater area to fish. If you start catching trout, then anchor up and fish it more thoroughly. Sandy, Lindy and Debbie all found this out as we were drifting and all of a sudden all three ladies were on fish at the same time. Drifting in a zig-zag pattern can cover an entire flat and give you the greatest opportunity of catching fish. Drift with the wind or tide, angle back to start another drift above or below your last drift. It works!
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
Trout for dinner!
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 206
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 03, 2009 - 6:00 am: | |
September 2, 2009
INSHORE:
Snook season opened with the usual anticipation of many anglers of catching that first slot fish on opening day. A number of midnight excursions had been planned and with lots of hope for success. We did manage a slot snook of 28", but that was this past Sunday and was released to battle another day. Afternoon thunderstorms have kept anglers off the water late in the day, but mornings have been fantastic and so has the fishing!
Tom Hull and Tom, Jr. were down to seek out some adventure and fun. Tom Jr. caught his 28" snook just as the first light was easing over the eastern sky. A quick release and we headed north to find some sea trout. Both dad and son caught a number of nice trout along with the usual jacks and ladyfish to fill out the morning. Lots of bait fish around the river have kept trout feeding around the edges of the bait pods. Live shrimp, DOA CAL jerk baits and top water lures can sure help you find the action on the flats this time of year. As the morning neared an end, we decided to look for some redfish to end the day.
Tom Hull and Tom Jr. with a few of their fishing rewards.
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Redfish have been schooling in good numbers on the shallow flats. Trolling motors will most likely scare them off before you can get close enough to cast. I poled the guys onto one of the flats and we began to look for signs of redfish action. Bait being chased and a few submarine wakes told me that we had some reds around the boat. As I continued to pole the boat further onto the flat, we could see big tails of reds feeding in the shallows. We don't often find tailing reds in the area, but this was a treat for both Tom and Tom, Jr. A number of casts ahead of the feeding fish soon found Tom Jr. hooked up on a nice Fort Pierce red. Using 6 pound line on his light tackle, he was in for a battle. Thinking any minute he might get broke off, the fish fought gallantly all the way to the boat. A beautiful 30" redfish eased up beside the boat for a quick photo and release. It was the end of their morning and we decided not to disturb the school anymore and left them for another day.
We had a family day this week. My wife, Eva, daughter, Dena, and grandaughter, Chloe, joined me at the ramp for a boat ride and quick fishing adventure for four year old, Chloe. It was hot out, but Chloe caught a little pigfish to bend her rod before we headed back home.
A grandpa and granddaughter adventure!
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Snapper, black drum and sheephead are around the bridges. Lots of snapper are along the channel edges. Lots of good areas north of Fort Pierce have graced many a table with a delicious snapper menu. Harbor Branch, Queen's Cove and the Moorings have held some nice keeper trout. Snook fishing around the inlet and bridges will keep many anglers busy targeting a slot size fish this month.
Tip of the Week: I always get excited to find redfish schools around the river. Finding tailing fish gets your blood pumping. Working a flat quietly and slowly can help you find more success. Trolling motors can easily scare the fish in the shallows. If you don't have a way to pole your boat, try getting set up for a slow drift across a flat. The less noise and movement you can make, the better your odds of finding fish. With the calm morning winds, spend some time watching and reading the water. Fish don't always make movements to give themselves away. Some very slight swirl or wake might be that trophy fish. Take your time and have some fun on the flats!
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 |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 205
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 4:52 pm: | |
August 27, 2009
INSHORE:
We have enjoyed some great weather this week. Afternoon rain has continued around the Treasure Coast, but mornings have provided good conditions for fishing. The wind picked up most days, but that has been a blessing to temper down the heat. It has been fun being on the water.
I had a very special charter this week. Seven year old, Justice Rodriguez, with his mom, Eufrasia and Grandma Lil joined me and my wife, Eva for a boat ride on the river. Justice had never been on a boat before and this was an honor for me to show him around the river. Justice was diagnosed with Autism when he was 15 months old. With the love and help from many people, Justice enjoys a lot of activities and has made great strides since those early days when he was first diagnosed. It was a fun day out on the water. Justice was excited about being in a boat for the first time. It was evident by his smile when we first got up on plane. We ran around the river and even let him practice fishing for a while. When he comes back to Florida again, we will make a fishing trip for sure. As soon as we got back, he decided that he wanted to go to boating school next.
Redfish are up on the flats in the shallow water. I found schools up to twenty strong and many lurking along the mangroves this week. The water was pretty clean. Fish around the schools of mullet. I found a number of reds that were cruising along with the mullet. DOA CAL jerk baits or grub tails are good choices in root beer colors. Move slowly and keep quiet or you will scare them off before you realize. I spent some time just drifting and there were some swimming around the boat that never knew I was there.
Trout fishing on the grass flats will be best in the early part of the day. Fish two to five feet of water and you should find some nice trout out there. Live shrimp or Deadly Combos are the best way to get some action. Top water at first light can also get you hooked up. Snapper continue to be plentiful around the river. Most of the nicer size are around the channel edges and bridges of the river. I found a dinner size flounder hanging around one of the docks that couldn't resist a DOA TerrorEyz.
Snook season opens Tuesday. It's a good time to check your license and snook permit to make sure they are current. Remember that fishing from land now requires you to have a license and snook permit as well. It's one of those times of year that taking the chance isn't worth the fines involved. The jetties and docks will be the best choice for hooking a slot snook along with the inlet area. Live bait, TerrorEyz or feather jigs are all good ways to get started. If the spillways are still running, you can bet it will be crowded next week.
Tip of the Week:
This week, I am letting Justice's mom tell you about his adventure on the water this week. It was a pleasure for me to see his smile and joy on his first boat ride.
"This was Justice's first fishing trip. Captain Charlie let him feel right at home. First by providing him with a life jacket, and then by showing him the beautiful Florida seascapes. He was able to see fish jumping out of the water. He especially loved feeling the wind in his hair as we cruised around on the boat. Fishing was an additional treat. Even though he didn't catch anything Captain Charlie kept him enthralled with the casting and the quick, quick, slow of reeling the line back in. I think that Justice believed he caught the little shrimp on the line he was using for bait.
If you have an autistic child and would like to trying fishing, Justice 4 Autism highly recommends Captain Charlie's Fish Tale Charters. It is not a huge party fishing boat which can be overwhelming for a child on the spectrum. Also you will have a personal experience that is sure to please every fisherman."
Justice4Autism.com
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
Justice on his adventure and a couple of this weeks catches.
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 204
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 21, 2009 - 5:40 pm: | |
August 20, 2009
INSHORE:
It appears the Hurricane Bill will miss our area, but most likely steer some wind, waves and rain our way sometime in the coming days. Otherwise, we have had some great weather, just a little windier than normal this time of year. We have easily found areas to fish and the fishing had been good most days on the water. I guess the Bill will give us a reminder to check hurricane preparedness as we head into the heart of the season.
I had the privilege of having some good friends of DOA on the boat this week. Jim Sutton of the Florida Times-Union, Byron Stout of the Fort Myers News Press, Mark Bradbury of Coastal Angler Magazine and Eric Burnley, an author and outdoor writer from Delaware. We had a challenge fishing in the morning winds both days. Byron had the best day by hooking up on two reds, landing one. He then hooked a nice size snook that broke him off under the docks. Later, Byron caught trout after trout on the flats. He certainly had the touch that day. DOA CAL jerk baits proved our best lure, with the TerrorEyz our best choice for snook fishing. Mark hooked a big trout the next day, but it decided not to come to the boat and spit the hook. We later had some big 20-25 lb jacks make some swipes at our DOA BFL lures. We did have fun both days just being on the water.
Trout fishing has been best to the north of Fort Pierce. Harbor Branch, Round Island and Queen's Cove have held good numbers of trout and snapper. There have been tarpon hanging around the jetties, inlet and up around Harbor Branch and the Moorings. Snapper have continued to be a hot commodity on the channel edges and bridges. Snook are still being caught around the jetties and some of the deeper docks in the river. It's a great time of the year to be fishing!
Tip of the Week:
With the constant hot days we have had this summer, it's important to get out early if you intend to fish the shallow water. We have fished just at daybreak in one to three feet of water and had some good action on top water lures. This week our best action was on the DOA CAL jerk baits on a weedless hook. You can work it right on top of the water at any depth with success. Once the sun rises, move off a little deeper and fish more towards the bottom. Jig heads and jerk baits work great. Work your lures slow on the bottom and you might be surprised at your results. Move to docks as well once the sun gets hot. Many fish will be lurking just under a dock and you can find some good bites in the middle of the day at those spots. Plan your trips around where the fish will be moving. Good luck out there!
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 |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 203
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 14, 2009 - 5:15 am: | |
August 12, 2009
INSHORE:
The Treasure Coast has once again enjoyed beautiful....but HOT weather this week. We have stuck with our plans of leaving at 6 am so we can get back off the water before the afternoon heat and rain arrive. It has worked in our favor and we have enjoyed lots of fantastic fishing on the river. As long as the bait schools are on the flats, the fish will continue to feed.
Trout and snapper are still the bulk of our catch. Top water lures early are still producing lots of fish. Live shrimp on DOA popping corks continue to keep you busy reeling in fish. Add a DOA shrimp to that popping cork and you have a great way to target good size trout. Work it aggressively and you will find the fish. DOA CAL jerk baits will work just as well. Watch for the bait schools and fish the edges for the best action. Lorenzo and sons, Eddie, Julian and Loren caught at least 75 fish on their adventure. Ranging from big trout, snapper, jacks to one big pompano for dinner. It was one of those days you keep hoping for. Joe Vennarini and brother, Charlie, also had lots of catching this week. We ended up the day with one huge school of jacks running through to hook up all lines on some great action. Bill Marino and Jessie were out with me and we once again had the fish cooperating. Jessie caught some of the bigger trout that day, but both had lots of rod bending action. Round Island, Harbor Branch and Queen's Cove have all held good amounts of trout. Steve Brigham reported catching a 32" trout this week while fishing some of the docks in the area. He was using an artificial shrimp. It sure has been a fun week out on the water!
Snook around the jetties can still find anglers fishing for them. Snapper are just about anywhere you choose to fish. Tarpon have been in the deeper waters of the inlet, Harbor Branch and the Moorings. I intend to try the new DOA BFL 5.5 out on them later in the week. Action has been excellent, so get out fishing soon!
Tip of the Week:
Reel care is an important, but often forgotten part of fishing. Making sure the gears are greased and bearings lubed can insure a longer life to any reel. Many problems with reel failure will relate to lack of proper care. Keeping drag washers in good condition is just another part of reel maintenance. Some reels have easy access to gears and make it simple to maintain them. Local tackle shops generally have a reel repair service to either clean and grease or repair many reels. Take a little time to give a some attention to your reels and they will give you many more fishing adventures.
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
Fishing fun on the Indian River this week!
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 202
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 06, 2009 - 4:09 pm: | |
August 6, 2009
INSHORE:
Mornings have been fabulous this week on the Indian River. Getting out early has lots of rewards! Cooler mornings, gorgeous sunrises, light winds and great fishing await anglers on the Treasure Coast. We have had some really good days of fishing this week and it should continue to be productive.
In spite of the recent full moon, the snapper and trout have been on a rampage feeding on the glass minnow schools. Top water lures have been getting a lot of attention at first light and then switching to DOA popping corks and live shrimp or DOA CAL jerk baits has given us our best action on the flats. Two to five feet of water has been good and watch for the bait schools. Fish the edges of the bait and you should find plenty of trout. Dennis Kokemos, cousin James and son, Perry, found trout and snapper action pretty hectic this week. Pete Krutski had some nice trout as well. Pat Wells and son, Dalton "Birthday Boy" kept busy with them on their outing. Tom Hull had his share of trout, too. Round Island, Queen's Cove and Harbor Branch have all been good this week.
Docks have held a variety of fish. Dennis, James and Perry got into some big jacks and had some line-stripping action. Mangrove snapper, black drum, croakers are some of the fish that we have caught lately around the docks. Dalton was hooked on his first big snook that wrapped around the dock pilings. After a good battle for a while, we inched up by the dock only to see a huge over slot snook sitting there next to the piling. Before we could try to get it out, it broke him off at the leader and scooted down the river. He had an exciting day of fishing for his birthday.
The inlet and jetties have held tarpon, snook and jacks. Bridges and channel edges have plenty of snapper action this week. It has been a fun and exciting week. Get out and back early before the afternoon storms get brewing. Have some fun soon!
Tip of the Week:
Something that I strongly believe in is taking kids fishing. They are the future anglers and what you teach them today will give them wonderful memories and good fishing habits. This week was very rewarding for me as my ol' friend, Pat Wells, came down with his son, Dalton. Dalton has had an awful summer vacation this year. Breaking his arm shortly after school let out, he had six miserable weeks in a cast. Shortly after that, he had appendicitis and emergency surgery while on a Boy Scout adventure and vacation with his family. With school about to begin again and his birthday this week, we took him out for an exciting day on the water and at least some good memories from this summer. It was some great memories for dad and myself as well!
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
Dalton with a few of his catches on his birthday adventures.
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Some more of this weeks action on the Indian River.
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 201
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 23, 2009 - 7:50 am: | |
July 23, 2009
Inshore:
Funny.....we fuss about cold weather in winter and hot weather in summer. It is hot out there! Days in the 90's that bring on a sweat just thinking about it. Plan your trips with that in mind. Take plenty of water and don't forget the hats, sunglasses and suntan lotion. We have been heading out by 6am to beat some of the heat this time of year. Keep your cool....the fish are out there!
Trout and snapper fishing has been the best bite on the river. Lots of mangrove snapper along the channel edges, docks and on the flats. Live or dead shrimp will get you in on some of the action. Trout fishing can still find you some gator trout on the flats. Justin Clarke had the catch of the week when he boated a nice 28" gator trout. Top water lures and live shrimp on a DOA popping cork will work for you in two to five feet of water on the grass flats. Queen's Cove, Bear Point and Harbor Branch have all been active recently. Find the glass minnows and you can find the trout hanging nearby.
There are still mackerel, bonito and jacks around the inlet. Snook fishing around the jetties has continued to be productive on catch and release snook. Tarpon have been around the mouth of the inlet as the tide comes in. It might be hot out there, but it's a great time of year to be fishing!
Tip of the Week:
Mornings have been calm and that's the time to get out the top water lures and have some fun at first light. There are lots of different types of top water lures and everyone usually has their favorites. There are the walk-the-dog styles like Rapala Skitterwalks or Mirrolure Top Dogs and the chuggers like the Storm Chug Bugs or the Bomber Pop N' Minnows. Each have their own uniqueactions on the water. It's not quite as important which one you use as how you use it. I like to work a top water at different speeds and patterns until you get that first strike to see what will attract the fish on that particular day. One thing about fishing......everyday is different!
Remember, as always,fishing is not just another hobby, it's an ADVENTURE!
Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Capt Charlie Conner
Captain Charlie's Fish Tales Charters
www.fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
Catch of the Week goes to Justin Clarke who boated this 28" gator trout on the flats.
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 200
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 17, 2009 - 3:53 pm: | |
July 17, 2009
INSHORE:
It's been hot out there on the water lately. We have been hitting the water by 6 am to beat some of the hottest parts of the day. It has been flat on the water and top water fishing will be at its best at first light. Baitfish are all over the river, inlet and beaches right now and lots of fish are out there gorging on them. It's a great time of year to fish the Treasure Coast.
There is some great action around the inlet and jetties this month. As the acres of glass minnows invade the area, you can find Spanish mackerel, bonito, jacks, snook and tarpon around the Fort Pierce inlet this time of year. Any lure that resembles a glass minnow will surely get you in on the action out there. Tom Hull and Ed were out with me this week and we hooked up on three jack crevalle at once. Get out and have some fun!
Trout have been holding near the glass minnow schools and feeding on live shrimp or pinfish. We have also been having luck on the DOA Deadly Combo as well. Pop it sharply as you work it to get the attention of a hungry trout. I have also had luck on the DOA glow shrimp when working it slowly around the bait schools. Chad Lambert had the catch of the week on a Bomber top water lure when he caught a fat 26" gator trout on the flats. Snapper fishing has been good around the channel edges. We have been catching some muttons on the flats, but all have been shorts. There have been some good sized mangroves reported this week. There have been some redfish caught around some of the docks south of Fort Pierce. Lots of snook have been hanging around the jetties and bridges. Handle the fish carefully and release it quickly.
Tip of the Week:
Florida residents will need to have a fishing license as of August 1st when fishing from land or structure. They are now on sale. Think carefully before purchasing a shorebound license. If there is any chance that you might want to fish in a boat, then buy the regular saltwater license. Once purchased, you cannot change the license. If you have a shorebound license and want to fish in a boat, you will have to purchase a regular saltwater license at that time. The regular saltwater license covers fishing from boats or land. You will also be required to have a snook permit to keep snook in season from land or structure. Non-resident anglers will need to purchase a non-resident license when fishing anywhere in Florida. Don't get caught without a license!
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
Chad Lambert with the catch of the week. A 26" gator trout on the flats. Tom and Ed doubled up on a couple jacks from the inlet.
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 199
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 10, 2009 - 4:00 pm: | |
July 10, 2009
INSHORE:
Getting out early or fishing late in the day will give you the best opportunities in July. Hot afternoons can slow down the fishing and also take a toll on you as well. We have found fish shallow early and moving to deeper water as the sun heats up. We just finished up the full moon, which made it even more challenging during the day. Things will improve as the coming weekend nears, so get those top water lures ready and head out for an early morning on the river.
Trout have continued to hit the DOA Deadly Combo. We have stayed with the glow shrimp with much success most days on the water. Work them more aggressively than you would live shrimp. We fished mainly south of Fort Pierce, where the water continues to be clear on the flats. Look for the grass flats that have lots of sand holes to find the trout. We have been targeting the glass minnow schools with greater luck on the trout bite. Robert White and his bride joined me this week to enjoy the fishing on the Indian River.
Snook are still prevalent in the inlet and along the docks of the river. We haven't targeted them much since they are out of season. The DOA 5.5 lure is now available in most tackle shops and will be a great lure for snook and trout fishing, especially around the mullet schools. Redfish have been scattered with a few nice fish being caught on the flats. Look around Harbor Branch and the Moorings in the shallows. Snapper are along the channel edges north of Fort Pierce and around the bridges as well. Lots of jacks are out there to give you some fun also. The Spanish mackerel and bonito have shown up around the inlet this week. Plan a fishing trip soon!
Tip of the Week:
Keeping hydrated in the hot weather is a must to keep from overheating during the day. Start early taking fluids, like water, Gatorade or PowerAde, to keep essential fluids in your system. Dehydration can cause fatigue, lightheadedness and even heatstroke. Drink plenty of fluids during your adventures on the water!
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
Fun on the Indian River this week!
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 198
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 04, 2009 - 2:49 pm: | |
July 4, 2009
INSHORE:
Summertime.....heat, afternoon storms and more heat. Get out early to fish or late in the evening to enjoy the best times on the water. Drink plenty of fluids and have some fun this time of year. Most of our action came from the south of Fort Pierce this week. The water quality has been much better to the south. The power lines have held lot of trout on the west side of the river all week.
Trout fishing continues to be our best target on the river. We have enjoyed catching trout each day out on the water this week. DOA Deadly Combos will find you plenty of action out there this time of year on the grass flats. You can also use live shrimp on the popping corks if you choose. Three to five feet of water has worked best for us. Look for the glass minnows for your best chance at hooking up. Move deeper as the sun rises to continue to find some trout. Mike, Sarah and Alice were back visiting the area again and we found trout, snapper and other fish out on the flats. Jim and Ken were enjoying the trout bite until the storms sent us scurrying out of that area. Jamie caught trout and snook on his outing this week.
Redfish have been scattered, but mostly north of Fort Pierce the past week. Sarah her battle with a redfish as it got off on the way to the boat. Look for action to improve as the water quality gets better on the flats. Snook fishing is catch and release around the inlet area with lots of snook all over the river. Snapper are around the bridges and along the channel edges this time of year as well. It's a great time of year to fish if you work around the heat of the day.
Tip of the Week:
Have a safe and fun holiday this Fourth of July. Remember, caution, courtesy and common sense will go a long way to provide a wonderful, happy and safe holiday for everyone!
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
Fun on the Indian River!
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 197
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 2:51 pm: | |
June 26, 2009
INSHORE:
So the song says.....Feelin' Hot - Hot - Hot! That sorta sums up the weather around the Treasure Coast this week. Getting out early in the mornings or late in the evenings has a more profound meaning lately around here. Look out for afternoon thunderstorms this time of year, too. The best bite will be at first light or late evening as things ease off a bit. It's summertime!
July brings hot weather, afternoon rains and Fourth of July parties. Oh....and lots of great fishing out there,too! Mornings on the river will bring action at first light on top water lures for snook or trout on the flats. They will seek deeper water as the sun rises. I will be fishing along the mangroves for snook with jigs, twitch baits and spoons where the water will be 2-3 feet deep. Trout will move to deeper flats in 2-6 feet of water and will most likely hit pinfish, pigfish or live shrimp. Redfish will continue to hold up on the flats, but more scattered. As the water heats up, move to deeper cuts on the flats for them. Gold spoons, soft baits, like DOA shrimp or CAL jerk baitsor cut bait will work best for them. Search along the docks during the day for snook or redfish hanging around there.
Bridges will be producing snapper, drum and sheephead during July. Live or dead shrimp will be hard for them to resist. Watch the tides and fish the slower sides of them for best results. Whiting will continue to be in the surf with the occasional bluefish and Spanish mackerel. Sharks will be patrolling along the beach also.
Areas to fish in the river for July: Bear Point, Queen's Cove and Round Island. South of Harbor Branch will be a great area to work for trout in the mornings before the sun heats up things. The flats in front of the power plant taper off to 3-5 feet and will be holding trout during the day. Live pigfish are the favorite food for trout this time of year. Try a DOA Deadly Combo during the day also for trout. The west shore down there will be good areas to search out redfish. Channel edges will be yielding snapper on structure. Tripletail should be around channel markers and pilings to the south towards Jensen Beach. Don't forget dock fishing during the mid-day hours.
Tip of the Month:
With the heat of summer upon us, make sure you have a plan for an emergency. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion is always a possibility when out on the water.
SIGNS:
Heat exhaustion:
Cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.
Heat stroke:
Hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high-- as high as 105 degrees F. If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry.
TREATMENT:
Heat exhaustion:
Get the person out of the heat and into a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is conscious, give cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Let the victim rest in a comfortable position, and watch carefully for changes in his or her condition.
Heat stroke:
Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation. Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.
Check out the Red Cross web site for more information: www.redcross.org
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
Howard Watson proves that early mornings with a top water lure can coax a hungry trout into striking.
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 196
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 2:46 pm: | |
June 18, 2009
INSHORE:
Summertime has arrived here on the Treasure Coast, bringing warm weather and calm winds to the area. A fantastic time to fish! The bite has been improving each day this week. The best fishing has been just off the beach lately. Cobia, snook, permit and assorted other species have been cruising the beach feeding on the baitfish. It has been one of the best cobia runs in many years. Hope you had a chance to get out fishing!
Mike, his dad, Dick, and son, Grant, joined me earlier in the week. It was a slower day than most, but they did manage to catch some nice trout for dinner. As the week progressed, the fish became more active. Dave and Pam Clark were vacationing in the area and decided to head out for a day on the water. Pam finished her day with three nice redfish and a couple gag groupers. Dave caught a couple snook up to 27" and a fat 26" trout for a fun day on their vacation. We tried again on Thursday and caught an assortment of fish, including a nice flounder.
Trout are on the edges of the flats and feeding on the many bait schools. Look for schools of glass minnows and you should find the trout. Try a Deadly Combo for some trout action on the flats. We have found some nice snook also hanging around the flats. Redfish have been scattered in the shallow water, but willing to eat live bait or a DOA CAL jerk bait. Harbor Branch and Queen's Cove have been good trout areas. To the south, the west side of the river has been good for trout and redfish. Have some fun out there soon!
Tip of the Week:
The fourth of July is fast approaching the Treasure Coast. Now is the time to check over your equipment before you plan an outing on the water this holiday. Safety equipment isn't just a requirement, it's just good sense to be ready for any emergency that might happen on the water. Some things to check now, before the holiday is upon us. Life vests, flares, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, etc. Check the requirements for your boat and make sure everything is in good working order and currently in date. It only makes good sense to be prepared.....and you never know when there might be an emergency or you might be checked on the water. Have a safe and fun July 4th!
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
Dave and Pam Clark enjoying their vacation on the Treasure Coast.
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 195
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 12, 2009 - 4:09 am: | |
June 12, 2009
INSHORE:
The recent full moon and warm weather slowed down the fishing this week, but you can find some fish out there willing to bite. I was out this week and found easily 30 snook around one dock south of Fort Pierce that were just taking it easy and not in the mood to eat after the recent full moon. Most of them were slot size or bigger, but no takers. As the moon wanes, look for fishing to pick up on the flats.
Early morning is the prime time to be on the water. Top water at first light can get you some good hits from trout and snook. Trout fishing will get back to normal now and you can find some good size trout on the grass flats. Fishing will just continue to get better out there this month. With the Fourth of July just around the corner, here are some ideas to help make it better for everyone.
Holiday Safe Boating Tips
It's hard to believe that July 4th is just around the corner and that means lots of picnics, celebrations and boaters. Holidays always bring out the usual boaters along with lots of new boaters and those that only go out a few times a year. A little common sense and preparation can make your holiday on the water a fun adventure and not a befuzzling mess. Here are a few common sense tips to help get you ready for that enjoyable weekend.
Prior to the Holiday:
1. Make sure all batteries are in good working condition and fully charged.
2. Put gas in the boat.
3. Start your motor before you leave the house.
4. Stow as much gear, etc in the boat before leaving.
5. Check the trailer early enough to have the time to repair lights, tires, etc.
At the ramp:
1. Get your boat ready before pulling into the ramp. (All equipment on board - lines ready )
2. Back in - launch the boat - move the boat out of the ramp area - get parked and back to the boat.
3. Get out of the ramp area if you are waiting on others, need to get things arranged, or have problems.
4. If you have problems, get out of the way of those launching. Don't tie up others for your problems at the ramp.
On the water:
1. Know the rules of the road or use common sense and courtesy.
2. Don't be aggressive on the water. Allow plenty of room to other boats and slow down around heavy boat traffic.
3. Remember, your wake affects others. Again, common sense and courtesy.
4. Obey the laws! The signs are their for a reason, so just follow the rules and everyone will have an enjoyable day.
5. Don't drink and drive! Have an experienced boater to be the designated driver for that day.
6. Courtesy goes a long, long way!!
Back at the ramp:
1. Don't tie up a ramp while you get your vehicle. Most likely, someone is already getting theirs and should have first rights to pulling their boat out.
2. Patience is a virtue....someone said. Don't be in a hurry. You will get your boat out, just wait your turn.
3. Pull well away of the ramp area when securing your boat and gear. Allow others the courtesy of pulling their boats timely.
4. Make sure everything is secure for a safe trip home from a wonderful Holiday weekend on the water!
It's nothing new or bizarre, just simple things to help yourself and others around you to have a great Holiday Weekend! Have a safe and fun Fourth of July!
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
A few photos from this week. Can you spot the snook?
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 194
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 03, 2009 - 4:24 pm: | |
June 3, 2009
INSHORE:
There is something about the arrival of summer fishing that I look forward to each year. Calm waters and lots of bait around the river has the fish in the mood to eat. It makes for great days fishing around the Treasure Coast and provides a variety of ways to fish the river. It's great to live and fish here!
I had the pleasure of having Frank and Rick on the boat this week. Frank was celebrating his 50th birthday and the fish were cooperating to make it a wonderful time. They boated 5 reds, which a couple were oversize, and a dozen nice trout up to 24" on the flats. Happy Birthday Frank! Richie and JoAnn were back for another adventure on the river this week as well. The weather again cooperated and gave us a chance to fish some areas that have been producing some nice fish. They teamed up to boat 6 reds up to 29" and lost a few more in the process. We moved over to the other side of the river and boated a dozen trout up to 22" that day. There were also the usual jacks and ladyfish to add to a fun day of fishing. JoAnn and I were careful to keep Richie dry this year......
Trout continue to hang along the flats, especially the edges, in two to four feet of water. Live shrimp or DOA Deadly Combos are our first choice for some nice trout. Queen's Cove and Harbor Branch have been our best flats of late. Redfish are showing up in the mood to feed and it's the time of year that I really enjoy. I look for flats that have lots of sandy areas along with some grass. They are shallow now so keep the noise down in the boat. Snook fishing has slowed down quite a bit since the season closed. It's catch and release until September.
Snapper have been showing up on the channel edges. You can have some fun with all the ladyfish and jacks around the river. The catwalks have been pretty quiet for now, but sheephead are still around the piliings. The river to the north of Fort Pierce has been more on the cloudy side this week, but the flats to the south have held up very well and most are pretty clean and clear right now.
Tip of the Week:
It's that time of year to break out the fish traps and catch a load of pig or pinfish. Trout, reds and snook all love them. They are just the right size to use with a popping cork and can produce some good size fish. You can find lots of baitfish around the river right now, so get out and have some fun!
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
Happy 50th Frank!
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Richie and JoAnn's Adventures this week!
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 193
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 5:44 pm: | |
May 28, 2009
Aside from the usual rainy weather we have had lately, the mornings have provided some great fishing opportunities for anglers throughout the Treasure Coast. As the close of snook season fast approaches, you can find lots of fishermen out trying for that last chance at a slot snook. It has been a fantastic week for fishing around the area.
The redfish bite picked up this week with some nice sized fish being taken on the flats. Mike Lasorik and his dad joined me again this year and enjoyed a day catching four redfish up to 28 1/2 inches along with some trout and jacks around the river. Wayne Foisy was out with me also this week and caught his first redfish that also measured 28 1/2 inches. Live bait or DOA TerrorEyz have worked well on redfish. We also boated snook, jacks and a nice flounder that also were fooled by the reliable TerrorEyz. Bob Bergen phoned me just after he had lost one of the biggest reds that he has seen on the flats here. It's been a good week!
The snook bite has been fantastic around the spillways. They have been crowded with anglers and lots of oversize fish are being caught. DOA TerrorEyz and live bait are very popular right now. Snook season closes May 31st, so time is running short for catching a keeper fish. Trout are still being caught around the flats. Harbor Branch, Round Island and the Power Plant have been good areas to target. DOA Deadly Combos continue to put trout in the boat.
Lots of dolphin are still being taken anywhere from 150' out. Many big fish are being reported by almost anyone out trolling ballyhoo. May has turned out to give us some fantastic fishing adventures and it should only get better as the weather cooperates. Have some fun and get out fishing!
Tip of the Week:
The water has remained quite clean on the flats, even with all the rain. Clear water provides fish with much better vision and they can become skittish in these conditions. Keeping things quiet can increase your chances on the flats. Fish in shallow water are already nervous about being there and they run for deeper water at the first sign of anything out of the norm. Keep the noise down and you can improve your catches on the flats.
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
Wayne Foisy with his first redfish - 28.5 inches and having some fun on the river.
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Mike Lasorik with his 28.5 inch redfish and dad with a jack.
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 192
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 - 2:23 am: | |
May 21, 2009
INSHORE:
Much welcomed rain dampened the ground, the temperatures and the minds of anglers this week around the Treasure Coast. I have to say it was nice to see some green grass for a change and a milder climate. It gave me a chance to catch up on the honey-do list and do some work on both the boat and tackle. And soon, it will be mowing grass for a change as well!
Although, we have had some wet conditions, many snook anglers have braved the winds and rain to get a chance at catching that slot fish before the season ends. Time is running out as snook season closes May 31st. You can bet night fishing will pick up this next week. There have been some good catches for those that have been heading out. The jetties have produced good numbers of snook along with the bridges and docks around the inlet. You can bet the spillways will be packed now that there should be water running again. Live bait has been the best with red-tail hawks working for artificials.
We did manage to get a trip in just before this wet front hit the area. Mads Levet and son, Mike, went out with me on a warm, sunny day on the Indian River. The trout were in the mood to eat and they caught a dozen nice trout with three being over the 20" size. The others ranged in the 15 - 20" slot. All were caught on the DOA Deadly Combo. It continually proves to work better than live bait.
Redfish have been on the quiet side, but we have seen many in the shallows. Once this front moves on, look for the reds to be feeding along the flats. Bridges were quiet this week for the most part. A good number of fishermen were out on the jetties catching snook, jacks, bluefish and mackerel. A few reports of snapper this week, and it should be picking up real soon. The fishing has been great, just a few rain clouds to dampen your spirits.
Tip of the Week:
Take some time to check hooks on your lures. Saltwater and metal just never seem to mix well and hooks will rust quickly. There are many brands and types out on the market to choose from. I like the VMC galvanized treble hooks when I am changing hooks. They are strong and now even come in the 6x type. It can give that favorite lure some new life for another day. Rusted hooks can easily break and cost you that big fish. I keep a small box with different size hooks, split rings and split ring pliers ready and take an hour once in a while to refurbish those lures. Oh, and don't forget to put a good sharp edge on those hooks before heading out on the water.
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
Trout has been a mainstay for anglers during May along the Treasure Coast.
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 191
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 14, 2009 - 3:57 pm: | |
May 14, 2009
INSHORE:
Wonderful weather has prevailed over the Treasure Coast this week, providing some warm, sunny days to enjoy being on the water. The fish have been hungry after the full moon and we had lots of fun out there on the Indian River. It's a great time of year to go fishing.....or just enjoy the outdoors!
The trout bite slowed a little for us this week, but the snook were feeding on the flats and we had several productive days once the full moon waned. Todd Dziak and his girlfriend, Lauren, were out with me on one of those fun, fast action days. Jacks are still cruising the river and we found several bruisers to strip some line off the reels. Todd began his day with a nice Spanish mackerel on a top water lure. The snook took over once the sun came up and we caught some nice shorts up to 26", but Lauren topped off the day with a 28 1/2" slot on light tackle while fishing the flats. Find the bait schools and you should find the predators lurking along the edges.......
The inlet was full of ladyfish and pompano this week. Both Lauren and Todd had lots of fun catching one after another of either ladyfish or pompano. The surf has been holding whiting and some pompano this week. Bridges are yielding sheephead, snapper and some black drum. Look for fishing to improve as the week continues and things get back to normal. The water was cool with the recent upwelling, but the fish will be out there for the taking. Docks continue to be productive with snook, jacks and redfish hanging around those areas. It's a great time to fish the Indian River!
Tip of the Week:
Lots of bait schools are around the inlet and river this time of year. If you want to find the fish....find the bait schools and they will be nearby. Bait usually hang around shallow areas when they can. Fish will be hanging around the edges of the flats or in deep sand holes waiting for the tides to bring the food to them. Early mornings are great times to try top water lures around the bait schools. You never know what might just be around the bait. It's a fun time of year out there.
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
Lauren catching and releasing her snook. Todd with his snook and Keith with a snook caught on the Indian River flats.....
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 190
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 07, 2009 - 2:52 pm: | |
May 7, 2009
INSHORE:
This week has a significant meaning for me, since it happens that my birthday is this coming Saturday and it's one of those we refer to as the Big One.......60th. I can still remember digging up a can of worms to go on that first fishing trip with my dad, so many years ago. It has been lots of fun years fishing and I still get excited at each trip on the water. It's been great!
It's the time of the year to be out fishing. Dolphin, trout, redfish and a host of other species are out there feeding. The weather has been fantastic this week and looks like those windy months of spring have finally surrendered to summer patterns. Sure, it's gonna be hot out there, but the fishing continues to improve each day. Look for many anglers to be on the river and ocean and be patient and aware of your surroundings.
Redfish have finally got hungry and you can find them on the flats and around the docks. Charlie Hollis and his wife, Cindy, celebrated their 25th Anniversary with me this week. We caught a variety of fish, including an oversize redfish on the flats. Try a DOA TerrorEyz or CAL jerk bait around the docks. Trout, redfish and snook will all take their hits at them. Live bait will also work as well. There are some big fish cruising the flats now, so be quiet and slow moving across the flats to give yourself a chance at hooking up. It's a great time of year to use top water lures in the early mornings. Queen's Cove, Harbor Branch and the thousands of docks around the area can give you some good starting points on the river.
Trout fishing has been the best of the year lately. Snook fishing has been getting better. With the full moon, you can bet a lot of anglers will be out in search of that slot size fish. Snook season closes at the end of May, so get out soon if you want to keep a slot fish. You can find lots of bait schools around the river. Fish around the edges of the bait and you can never tell what might be lurking in the shadows. It's a wonderful time of year to be on the water fishing......
Tip of the Week:
Ok, so this week I am nostalgic and reminiscent.... Looking back on the many years of fishing, I cherish each moment on the water. Spend some time teaching the youngsters the art and experience of fishing. It's not just learning how to cast a rod, bait a hook or tie a knot, it about spending time together, passing down fish tales and creating memories that last a lifetime. I am working with my three year old granddaughter and soon her little one year old brother to share those kinds of moments on the water. There are great organizations out there if you are looking to get involved, like Teen Anglers. Make fishing something special for someone soon!
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
Charlie Hollis with this 28" redfish. A relaxing day on the water with my wife, Eva.
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 189
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 01, 2009 - 7:58 am: | |
May 1, 2009
INSHORE:
April turned out to be one of the windiest months I can remember. We had some calm days, but most of the time it blew unending day after day. This week was no exception. I finally was able to get out with Mark Amorello for a fun day with a good friend. Even though the winds continued to blow, we had a good day on the water. The bait schools are thick around the river and that means lots of the predator fish are out there feeding. The coming weekend promises to be a great chance to enjoy fishing, both inshore and offshore!
Trout have remained the best fishing opportunity out there. There are plenty of grass flats that have been fishable. Two to four feet of water can find you some action. Some big trout are out there along with many schoolies. Popping corks or DOA CAL jerk baits have proved to be very successful on the flats. There will be lots of boats out there this weekend.
Most of the river was to rough to fish lately and many of the docks that I enjoy fishing were out of the question. Redfish are out there in the shallows and you can find some when it calms down. Snook fishing should be good this weekend around the inlet and docks. Live baits have worked best recently along with jigs. The fishing has been good. It has just been difficult to fish many of the favorite areas of the river. We found some big snook hiding in the sand holes out there this week.
Jack-Attack is on around the river now. Big jacks have invaded the area and you can find some tackle busters around the inlet, docks and cruising the flats. We have had some fun catches and blistering runs from some of the bigger jacks. Live bait has been working best on the big jacks. If you happen on some of them busting up the bait schools, toss a top water into the frenzy and you will most likely get hit. Bridges have been a little on the quiet side, with mostly sheep head and some black drum on the catch list. The surf has been very quiet with all the easterly winds, but there are still whiting out there for the taking.
Tip of the Week:
The manatee zone in the Fort Pierce inlet has been shifted to summer rules. That allows boaters to use the ICW channel at 30 mph during the summer months. Keep it safe as all inlets have lots of boat traffic, especially on weekends. Just because you can go fast through an inlet, doesn't always make it safe for everyone. Fun and relaxation is usually number one on most anglers list for heading off on the water. Observe boating regulations and, above all, be aware of boaters around you. Let's all have a fun, relaxing and SAFE summer on the Treasure Coast!
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 |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 188
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 - 4:28 pm: | |
April 22, 2009
INSHORE:
It certainly has been a fantastic week on the water without worrying about temperatures, winds and weather for a change. We had some productive days fishing the Indian River and I for one am thrilled that Spring is here to stay......finally! I had some friends return for a fishing adventure along with new friends. It has been fun out there with an assortment of species around the river.
Chris, Al and Ryan joined me this week. Keith and Megan were back to battle some fish and Dennis was on his first voyage with me. We all had some fun and excitement catching fish and having some others get away. Ryan stole the show on their trip by catching an assortment of fish, including snook and grouper. Chris had the big one get away this year. Dennis found some nice trout on the flats and caught a big 30" snook that he released. Keith caught a very nice redfish, while daughter, Megan, worked very hard to get her 30" snook out from under the dock. After wrapping around the motor, we finally got it in the boat to her excitement. A lot of fun awaits anglers out on the Indian River this week.
Snook fishing has continued to be good when fishing the tides. The first part of the outgoing tide has been best for us around docks and the inlet. Night fishing has been producing all sizes of snook. Live bait has been the best choice, with jigs and DOA shrimp working for artificials. The redfish bite picked up this week as the water continues to warm up to their liking. Live bait, DOA CAL jerk baits and TerrorEyz are all good redfish baits. Trout have been hitting the Deadly Combo with a vengeance. Work them a little more aggressive as you would live shrimp and you will be surprised at the results.
Keith Lundy and daughter, Megan, with some of their days catch this week.
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The big jacks have invaded the river. Megan got one this year after being beaten last year by a bruiser. Keith also boated a big jack before losing a monster around the docks. Dennis also was broken off by one of the big boys. Live bait on a jig or float can give you a lot of fast, intense action. The mackerel and bluefish disappeared this week from the inlet. There are still lots of big sheephead around the docks and bridges. The jetties have been full of jacks lately, along with some macs and blues. The macs have been along the beaches again this week. Whiting and some pompano have also been in the surf. Fishing has been great around the area!
Ryan Foster with a few of his catches and Dennis with his 30" snook this week.
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Tip of the Week:
Dock fishing can be an exciting adventure in Spring. Begin fishing long before you are near the docks. Lots of big fish will be patrolling around the docks and you can get hookups on the outer edges of the docks. It is always amazing at the variety of fish that hang around docks. We are especially fortunate that we enjoy a vast array of docks all along the Treasure Coast. I usually gear up a little heavier for dock fishing than flats fishing. Not much more, but a size heavier line and leader might make the difference in catching rather than getting broken off. I like 20# Power Pro with a 30# Fluorocarbon leader. It give you a little more power to work a fish out of the dock, but light enough to have lots of fun.
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 |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 187
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 16, 2009 - 5:39 pm: | |
April 16, 2009
INSHORE:
Wonderful spring weather has provided us with some great adventures on the water this week and many more to come as the winds finally begin to slow down. We had some fun fishing on the Indian River and caught a variety of species. I had the pleasure to have some friends back on the boat and some new anglers to share the fishing experience. Tom, Josh and Kyle Lukat were back for a fishing adventure. Chris, Tina, Kristina and Garrett Helseth came out for their first trip with me this week. Tom Hull was back down from Melbourne for some action as well. It was a fun week on the water!
Trout have continued to bite on the flats. We caught our share on both live shrimp and DOA Deadly Combos. Five year old Kristina caught her very first fish, which was a 20" trout, all by herself. There has been lots of bait around the river and if you fish around the bait schools, you should find some fish there. The water has been very clear in spite of the windy weather lately. Fish the sand holes around the grass flats and you should find some action.
Snook fishing has been good around the jetties, docks and bridges this week. Live bait has worked quite well. Both Kyle and Josh caught snook early in the morning around some of the docks. Tom found a big ocean jack while fishing for snook around the sea walls. Redfish had been slower, but we managed two slots around the docks. Look for things to keep improving as the reds begin to school up this month.
The inlet has been teaming with ladyfish, mackerel and blue runners. Live bait or shiny lures will get you in on some of the action. There have been some nice size macs this week. The catwalks have held sheephead, black drum and some snapper. The beaches were pretty quiet most of the week, but you can still find some whiting, pompano and bluefish around the surf.
Tip of the Week: Many of the fish that have been feeding around the river this week have lots of teeth. It's easy to get bit off and you should be checking your leader each time you get a fish or get a bite. I tie on about a three foot leader to start each day and usually tie on another at some point as we fish. Making sure your leader is fresh can be the difference between catching and losing a fish.
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
Tina, Kristina and Garrett Helseth having fun with the family on the water. Kristina and Garrett with their first fish
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Kyle and Josh Lukat showing off their snook and redfish.
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 186
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 11, 2009 - 2:18 am: | |
April 10, 2009
INSHORE:
What turned out to be a real topsy-turvy week of weather, we enjoyed some great fishing action along the Indian River. It seemed that we had just about everything but snow this week. Once this last cold front passed, the winds died down and the sun came out to warm up the Treasure Coast. We had some fantastic days of fishing.
Trout continues to be the staple on the flats. Lots of trout in two to five feet of water. Mike and Delia Bove' caught their share of trout as did Tom Hull. We used live shrimp part of the time and DOA Deadly Combos most of the time. There are some nice trout out there this time of year along with a lot of schoolies to keep you busy. Harbor Branch and Round Island has been hot spots for trout lately. We caught some nice snook around some of the docks in Fort Pierce. Most were just below slot size, but gave us a battle to keep them out of the pilings. Mike, Delia and Tom all caught snook. Snook fishing has been good for night anglers using live bait or jigs around the inlet area. Redfish were a little quiet this week, but they are in the shallows and waiting for the water to warm back up after this latest Arctic front. It has been a good week of fishing!
Mike ended his day by catching a nice 17" tripletail in the Fort Pierce inlet. We found Spanish mackerel, bluefish, jacks and ladyfish around the inlet. Live shrimp or shiny spoons and jigs have worked well for us. Bridges have held sheephead, black drum and snapper. The beach still has pompano and whiting cruising the surf. You can also find some jacks and bluefish, too. Spring has finally arrived.
Tip of the Week:
Popping corks are a great way to target sea trout. Live shrimp is the normal bait of choice when fishing this way. Want to try something different and effective? Tie on a DOA shrimp instead and work it a little harder than the usual live stuff. You will be surprised at the results. Snook will also readily strike at this combination. It's a great way to fish when you run out of live bait. Try it sometime and you might just get hooked on artificials!
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
A couple of this weeks catches on the Indian River....
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 185
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 03, 2009 - 3:51 am: | |
April 2, 2009
INSHORE:
Great fishing awaited anglers most days this week. Springtime weather provided us with fishable conditions most of the week and we took advantage of the opportunity. Winds have lightened their strength and allowed us to fish a large area of the river lately. It's a great time of year to fish the Indian River!
Trout fishing took off this week and we had several days that clients caught 30 - 50 trout on the flats. While most were schoolies, they did manage keepers from 18 - 22". Live shrimp on popping corks is always a go to bait, but the DOA Deadly Combo proves time after time to catch just as much fish on the flats. Ken, Mark and Stephen McIntosh finished off their day with trout after trout on both live bait and DOA. Matt and son, Dale, had some non-stop action for their day on the water. They ended up with fifty plus trout by the end of the adventure. Andrew Donofrio and son, Andrew, also got in on some of the trout action. Ed Killer was out with me and we did find a few that day, but not quite like the rest of the week.
Snook fishing around some of the docks has continued to produce fish. Mark, Stephen and Andrew all managed to pull some snook from under the docks, while losing a few good fish to the pilings. Night fishing around the inlet has produced some good catches. I continue to see lots of good size snook on the flats and lost one big fish as he chewed up my leader on the way to the boat. Redfish are biting now and we are looking forward to finding more and more on the flats this spring. Andrew caught and released a slot red while fishing around the docks this week. Some areas to fish this week: Round Island, Bear Point and Queen's Cove.
The surf has held whiting, pompano and bluefish when you could get out there to fish. Sand fleas and shrimp have been the baits of choice, along with shiny spoons and jigs for the blues and jacks. The inlet has had a lot of Spanish mackerel and bluefish again chasing bait. Bridge anglers are catching drum, snapper and sheephead. Fishing has been excellent out there this week!
Tip of the Week:
It's a good time of year to check your line on the reels. Old and frayed line should be changed out to be prepared for spring fishing. The sun and water can speed up deterioration on line and you certainly don't want to lose that big fish to weak fishing line. You know.....Spring cleaning isn't just for around the house anymore! The fishing is improving each day so be prepared.
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
Stephen McIntosh caught an assortment of fish this week. Dad and Grandpa, Ken, look on as he battles another fish. Andrew Donofrio with a snook and redfish and son, Andrew, with a big jack this week.
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 184
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009 - 4:30 pm: | |
March 26, 2009
INSHORE:
March winds continued to blow strong again this week. Some of the brave dared to venture out some days, including myself. If you can stand the wind, you can catch fish! Look for more blustery days ahead, but the sunshine and warm temperatures will surely tempt you to head out. Luckily, this week I only had to fish a couple spots to find some nice fish on the Indian River.
The most exciting catch this week was a 21" bonefish on the Fort Pierce flats. What a surprise when fishing for the usual targets. I was working a DOA CAL jerk bait when it gobbled it up. We also caught snook, redfish and trout in the shallow water. Snook have been numerous on the flats and there are some in the slot size soaking up the sunshine on any given day. The trout bite has continued to improve with the water temperatures. Most have been in the twenty-plus inch size and they are fat and sassy right now. Redfish have started to bite along the flats as well. Tom Hull was down and boated a very nice redfish right after he had boated his snook. Other than live bait, the DOA CAL jerk baits have been the best producing lure for us lately. Work them along slowly on the bottom and you should find the fish to hit them. Fishing areas have been limited due to the windy conditions, but clean grass flats will find you some fish this week.
The inlet and jetties have been a little quiet this week. Snook fishing at night has produced some keepers as well as shorts and a few oversize fish. Some jacks around the mouth of the jetty for the brave at heart. Bridges and docks have held sheephead and jacks for those anglers. The surf has been very difficult to fish at all. Whiting and a few pompano for those brave souls on the beach. For the most part, it has been a fairly quiet week in the area. We are in a transition period right now as spring takes over and winter fades away.
Tip of the Week:
Fish the sand holes! That's the key right now to catching fish for me. No matter where you fish on the flats, fish will be sitting in those deeper holes on sunny days. Fish are generally lazy and don't like to expend much energy to feed. As they sit in washed out sand holes, they can wait for food to be carried to them by the tides. Sunny days can show you where these places are as you work the flats. Fish the slowly and thoroughly and it can give you some greater odds at success on the river.
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
A great week of fishing along the Indian River out of Fort Pierce!
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 183
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 20, 2009 - 1:01 am: | |
March 19, 2009
INSHORE:
The Treasure Coast has come alive on the flats with trout, snook and redfish along with many other species to be caught. The wind was a small factor this week and a few days were tough to get out on the water, but overall.....good weather and great fishing. Spring has finally arrived! The water continues to warm up and so are the fish.
Trout fishing has been good on the flats south of Fort Pierce. Turner and Frank Mullins both caught nice trout in the shallow flats. Young Turner had his hands full as he caught and landed a four foot bonnet head shark that day. Mark, Tony and Bob were back in Fort Pierce again this year and we found the trout biting just as the winds were picking up strong this week. Two to four feet of water has been a good depth with live shrimp or DOA CAL jerk baits working well to get the bites. Snook fishing has improved along with the water temperatures. Bob Altieri ended up their day fishing with a leaping snook that was just a little short on the slot size. Night fishing for snook has been good with mostly shorts being taken. Live shrimp or DOA TerrorEyz have been our best baits for catching snook. Redfish are on the flats and you can expect the bite to pick up now.
The inlet and jetties have continued to hold lots of bluefish and Spanish mackerel. Live shrimp, shiny spoons or diamond jigs should get your rod bending. Some flounder are still being taken off the south jetty in Fort Pierce. The surf has been difficult to fish lately, but whiting, pompano and bluefish are cruising the beach for those anglers. Bridges and docks are holding sheephead, snapper and black drum. It's a great time of year to fish the Indian River.
Tip of the Week:
Fishing Etiquette 101
Fishing in Florida is the most popular outdoor adventure. More and more anglers take to the water each week. You can see many more boats on the river and ocean than past years, especially on weekends and holidays. Fishing etiquette is essential to having fun on the water for every one. It takes just a little common sense to make everyone’s day much more enjoyable.
You hear complaints from both inshore and offshore anglers about a few of the boaters who have little regards to others. Luckily, that’s a rare few and most anglers share the same thoughts of showing some respect on the water. We all go out on the water to have a good time and catch fish. Your fun adventure shouldn’t be at the expense of others.
Some of the common mistakes that some boaters and anglers make are:
1. Motoring close to others.
When you see boaters fishing an area, don’t speed by them too close. Give them a wide berth and not interrupt their time on the water. You will get to your spot just as fast and not create animosity with others. If you have limited space to go by others, slow down and idle by them quietly. They will appreciate it.
2. Fishing too close to others.
If you can cast your lure or bait close to another angler, you are way to close. You’ll most likely succeed in scaring the fish rather than catch them. None of us own the water and if someone is in YOUR spot, give them the courtesy and stay clear of their boat. Notice if they are drifting and fish behind or well to one side of their drift if you must.
3. Anchoring right next to another boat.
Same as fishing too close. Show some respect for others and anchor well away from others. Sometimes a wave or simply asking can make things friendly and you can both share the fun.
4. Trolling etiquette.
Many boats troll out on the ocean and it seems like if the word get out on a catch, you can find others heading to that area. Simple common sense can let a number of boats work an area without interfering with each other. Radio contact can solve problems before they occur and keep a friendly attitude with everyone. If it is crowded, move on to another fishing ground.
These are just a few things that come to mind and there are many other circumstances and situations that happen. Using just a little common sense can reduce unfriendly encounters. We have a tremendous variety of fishing habitats in our area. Share the experience, friendship and respect with others and we can all have a fantastic time on the water. Have fun and good fishing!
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
Turner and Frank Mullins with some trout they caught this week. Mark Roth with a nice trout he caught on the flats. Bob Altieri with a snook he caught around the docks.
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 182
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 13, 2009 - 2:09 am: | |
March 12, 2009
INSHORE:
Spring finally arrived on the Treasure Coast and none too soon for us. This week has been fantastic on the water for both fishing and sunny, warm weather. Light winds have prevailed and allowed anglers to fish both inshore and offshore with success. Looks like next week is a lot of the same conditions, so it's time to get out fishing! Spring is here and no more complaining from me!!
There has been lots of activity all around the river. The jetties and inlet has been full of bluefish and Spanish mackerel. Live shrimp, diamond jigs or anything shiny has proved very successful. Tom Hull was out with me this week and we ventured just outside the jetties and landed 50 mackerel in a very short span. It was a frenzy out there. Keith Mullins and his two sons, Turner and Frank, has been out with me several days this week. They also have enjoyed catching bluefish and mackerel in the river. They are loads of fun and great to eat.
The trout bite has improved with each day this week. The water has begun to warm back up and so has the flats. Doc and ZZ Knepper were out with me and they found redfish, snook and trout all on the flats and ready to eat. Sheephead has been one of the best fish to catch as well. We fished some docks and pilings to the south of Fort Pierce and found sheephead plentiful around the river. You have had to plan your trips with the spring tides this week. Lots of low water conditions on many of the normal flats. It has been easy to drift or pole the shallows lately and there have been lots of big fish lurking there. It will only get better now!
Bridges have held the usual black drum, sheephead and snapper on live or dead shrimp. Pompano and whiting have been along the beaches. Snook fishing has been fair this week overall. As each day continues to warm up the water, you can find snook hiding under docks and mangroves. Activity increases as the water temperatures rise. Have fun and enjoy the weather!
Tip of the Week:
It is everyone's responsibility to obey the law, whether it is boating or fishing. I have discovered that there is a person gill netting around the river. He has been gill netting north of Fort Pierce for a while now and I haven't had the opportunity to get close enough to get some boat numbers. He hides back inside the islands and buries his boat in the mangroves while using the net. Keep your eyes open!
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
Turner and Frank Mullins enjoying fishing on the river. Tom Hull with one of fifty macks. Doc and wife, ZZ, with a few catches this week on the water.
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 181
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 06, 2009 - 10:58 am: | |
March 6, 2009
INSHORE:
March has certainly lived up to its reputation of coming in like a lion. Lots of windy weather this past week has made it difficult and challenging to fish the river. The weekend looks a little more friendly for now and we can expect to see some warmer weather again. The water has cooled off some this week, but the sunny days will begin to warm it up again. Hope you get a chance to get out fishing!
The trout bite has remained good if you could find some areas to fish the grass flats. The DOA TerrorEyz has continued to be a great producing lure out on the flats. Today, it fooled trout, jacks, ladyfish, flounder, bluefish and snapper for us. Round Island and Queen's Cove has been productive north of Fort Pierce, while Bear Point has been fishable most days to the south. Live shrimp on popping corks are also a great way to find some sea trout. I have found some redfish schools in shallow water, but they were more interested in staying warm this week. There are also some large snook lurking in the deep sand holes in the shallows as well. Warmer water will get these fish active and feeding soon. April can't get here soon enough!
The pompano bite along the beach has been good on the north end of Fort Pierce lately. Whiting is also available along the surf as well as bluefish and jacks. Sand fleas and shrimp have worked well for baits. The jetties and inlet continue to hold bluefish, mackerel and jacks. Shiny artificials are working great out there. The bridges have the usual sheephead, snapper and black drum for those anglers. Snook fishing around the inlet has been fair this week. Not many reports due to the windy weather out there. Some flounder have also been caught on the south side of the south jetty this past week.
Tip of the Week:
Trailer maintenance is often forgotten or put off till another day for a lot of busy anglers. Making sure lights work, tires inflated properly or bearing are greased are a few important preventatives that can save time, expense and frustration. Inspect your trailer each time you use it and do the simple things that can keep it running smoothly. It doesn't take a lot of work to keep your trailer in good reliable condition. Lack of maintenance leads to problems much quicker!
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
Tom Hull with a couple catches made with the DOA TerrorEyz this week...
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 180
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009 - 10:47 am: | |
February 27, 2009
INSHORE:
In spite of continuing windy conditions out on the water, the fishing has remained good around the Treasure Coast. With March looming ahead of us with its reputation for being another month of traditionally foul weather, anglers will be challenged for a while longer. Spring is fast approaching and the fishing will just get better!
Ed Whitman and his son, Chris, joined me this past week on what turned out to be a very windy day. We had fun around the inlet in spite of the weather and found some fish around some of the docks along the river. Sheephead and snapper was the catch of the day. I found some reds and trout on another day that ended up a little calmer around the area. It was a good week of fishing on those days that you could venture out on the water.
The best bite right now has been around the bridges and docks for sheephead, snapper and sand perch. Live or dead shrimp will find you the fish. The trout bite has been good this week in the deeper flats of three to five feet of water. Live shrimp on popping corks or a DOA TerrorEyz can get you some nice fish. You will also find plenty of bluefish cruising around the flats as well. Redfish and snook have been coming shallow on sunny days, but the water temperature needs to rise a little more for them to get hungry. Spanish Mackerel, bluefish and jacks have continued to keep anglers busy around the jetties. Anything shiny can get you some fast action. There are some flounder being taken on the back side of the jetties. Live shrimp is your best choice, but Doc's Goofy Jigs and DOA TerrorEyz can also find you some flatties.
Tip of the Week:
Don't forget the sun screen when heading out on the water this time of year. Not only can the sun get you good, but the wind can also add to the misery of a sun burn. Use plenty and often on these windy days to prevent unwanted and unexpected burns. It can make for a great day of fishing and not end up with a red face!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!
Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner
[url=http://www.fishtalescharter.com]http://www.fishtalescharter.com[/url]
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
Ed and Chris Whitman with a couple of fish this week. I enjoyed a day fishing for a change with a DOA TerrorEyz.
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 179
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 20, 2009 - 4:16 pm: | |
February 20, 2009
INSHORE:
We had a variety of weather conditions around the Treasure Coast this week. Calm, summer like days over the past weekend to downright blowing conditions later in the week. Some days it was really a challenge in getting out on the water, but we managed to do just that and everyone had a great time in spite of the blustery days we faced. It looks like we should have a decent weekend at least for fishing inshore. Water temperatures have varied each day. Warmer water last weekend to much cooler temps after the wind had its way with the river. The water was crystal clear through Tuesday, but the next day it had been clouded up everywhere we fished.
Kyle Collins and the whole family joined me on a very windy day. Kameron and Skyler really enjoy fishing and Skyler led the way by catching the most fish. Kameron, mom and dad tried to keep up, but Skyler had the best day. She even caught a redfish that broke her off next to the boat. Jake, Jack, Jim and Ben joined me on a windy day as well. We found ladyfish and jacks for the boys. Jack and Ben caught a number of fish to have a fun day on the water. Jake and Jim helped make sure the boys had fun catching fish. Bob and Don joined me on a day that was much better wind conditions. We caught some trout up to 20" and drifted on the usual ladyfish and jacks to end the day with some wild and crazy fishing. It was a fun week for us all.
There are lots of fish out there if you can get to the flats. Redfish, snook and trout have been in shallow water, but it has been difficult to fish many of those areas. I managed to get out Sunday and found some nice fish hanging around some of the docks. It was a good day for redfish and trout. DOA TerrorEyz continues to be the best producing artificial for us. Once the water warms up a little, the fishing should be fantastic out there. For now, fish deeper water early and you can find the fish moving shallow later in the mornings. We can look forward to March as another windy month ahead. Each week, you will face different challenges on which way the wind blows.
Bridges are still producing black drum, sheephead, snapper and some croakers. The jetties are full of bluefish, mackerel and jacks with some good reports of flounder on the south side of the jetties. I talked to several night anglers who have caught some slot and oversize snook this week. Beaches will have whiting, bluefish and some pompano in the surf.
Tip of the Week:
Fishing with artificials can be fun and exciting for any angler. There are more kinds, colors, variations....etc...etc....of lures available that is worse than shopping for toothpaste or shampoo! Any lure out there can catch fish on any given day. Whichever you decide to use, it is more important to use the proper presentation than worrying about color or size. There is more information than anyone could want out there about fishing and you will find that most will always use presentation as a key element to catching fish. Experimentation is one way to determine how to fish any kind of artificial. Whether trying it fast or slow, shallow or deep, or different ways just to work your lure, it can make the difference in catching or fishing. Always be open minded to trying something different. You never know when you just might find a lure that produces fish when presented in the right way. Have fun out there!
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
Kameron and Skyler Collins with a couple of their catches this week. Kyle enjoying a day on the water...
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Jack Hogan and Ben Doern enjoying a fun day on the water....
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Bob I'Anson managed this 20" trout on another windy day on the Indian River....
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 178
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 5:46 am: | |
February 13, 2009
INSHORE:
The Treasure Coast was greeted to some fantastic warm weather this past week and it appears that we can enjoy similar weather in the coming days ahead. Winds have been light one day and blowing the next, but inshore fishing has continued to be improving with each sunny day. Water temperatures are climbing and the fish are coming in shallow on the flats. Hopefully, this is the coming of spring weather and those nasty cold fronts will be milder in the weeks ahead.
I was on the water several days this past week and found the fish in the mood to eat. The full moon had a little affect on the daytime bite, but overall, the fishing has been great out there. We have continued to start the days in deeper water and finding a variety of fish hanging in five to ten feet of water. Tom Hull was back down from Melbourne and after finding a number of nice trout in the deep cuts, he got slammed by a gag grouper that refused to come up from its lair on the bottom. With some coaxing, he finally got it to come up to release it for another day.
Moving onto some of the vast grass flats later in the day, we found numerous snook, redfish and trout laying in less than a foot of water. Most were just in the mood to get warm that day, but it is a good sign of the fishing that lies ahead. We managed some good bites under the docks and landed one hungry snook. DOA jerk baits and TerrorEyz kept us busy this week with trout. Rootbeer is the color that has worked best for us lately. We have found trout from Round Island down towards the power lines. Fish three to five feet of water and you should be able to find a limit of trout this week.
Around the docks, channel edges and bridges you can find sheephead, black drum and snapper. Live or dead shrimp are the choice baits. The water continues to stay clear in most areas and where you can find the warmest water, you can find the fish as well. Snook fishing was good during the full moon period at night this month around the bridges and inlet. Look for fishing to be good this next week as the sun warms up the water and the fish will become more active on the flats. Beach anglers are still enjoying good catches of bluefish, whiting and pompano along the surf. Sand fleas, shrimp and silver spoons will usually get you some action in these areas.
Tip of the Week:
Safe boating is everyone's responsibility. It is amazing at the number of boaters on the water that seem to have no indication of knowing the Rules of the Road. I am sure most of you have encounter one of those on the water and just shake your head in wonder. There are pamphlets and literature available to give anyone the basics in boating. The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers safe boating classes. There are even a number of online courses that you can find through myfwc.com. I appreciate Ed Killer for putting weekly safe boating tips online and in the St Lucie News. With the amount of boaters on the water, especially on weekends, keep yourself and everyone around you safer by knowing and using the Rules of the Road.
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
Nice days on the water along the Treasure Coast this week....
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 177
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 9:23 am: | |
February 5, 2009
INSHORE:
Alright, I have finally figured it out. Sitting here with the wind and freezing temperatures outside has gotten me to thinking and I have came up with the solution to beating these cold fronts. Everyone should show up at the beaches on both coasts on Sunday and bring a paddle. We can all just row Florida a few degrees south and end these freezes for this year. It shouldn't take more than a couple hours........
Wind has been the enemy most of the week. Daytime temperatures haven't been so bad, but windy conditions has kept many anglers off the water. This weekend should provide us with fishable weather and much milder temps. The water is cold, but the fish will have to eat. Start fishing deeper water until the sun rises high in the sky. I did manage a trip to check out the river. The water has remained fairly clear so far and the trout are coming onto the flats later in the day. I drifted the Harbor Branch flats and found fish looking for the warm rays of the sun.....
Anglers have had luck on snook at night around docks, bridges and the inlet area. Live pinfish or large shrimp are the best choices with feather jigs the favorite artificial. Some slot and a lot of shorts were reported this week. At least the inlet has given some protection from some of the winds. Snapper and a few flounder have been boated this week as well. Catwalks have been mostly quiet this week. The Northwest winds have allowed beach anglers to hit the surf and find whiting, bluefish and pompano along the beaches. The jetties have held bluefish, mackerel and jacks during the day and some snook caught at night along the rocks.
The ocean continues to be a challenge on getting offshore. On the river, pick your spots and fish deep cuts or the channel edges for now. Most of the fish will be holding there, especially in the mornings or late evenings. Hopefully, this is the end of the freezing temps and things will begin to get back to normal soon. Cold water can make it challenging to find the fish some days. It's still better than chopping a hole in the ice....
Tip of the Week:
This time of year usually provides plenty of days to get your gear checked out for the coming spring. When it's cold and windy, I take a little time to change out line, oil reels and check rods for damaged guides. Changing hooks on lures, looking in the bottom of the tackle bag..... and cleaning out the storage compartments on the boat are a few other things to do on a cold, windy winter day in Florida. The warm weather isn't far off......
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
Trout were hitting DOA TerrorEyz on a windy day this week....
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 176
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 30, 2009 - 11:24 am: | |
January 30, 2009
INSHORE:
A few nice days of weather in between windy and cool periods found a good bite this week on the Indian River. The water temperatures began rising and that got the fish in the mood to feed. With the next cold front already moving in the area, it looks like the nights will continue to be cooler and winds to blow most of the week. Welcome to winter in Florida!
We began our days by fishing deeper water for trout. Finding cuts and channels that were six feet and deeper gave us a good trout bite along with grouper and snapper. Once the sun rose in the sky, we moved into three to five feet of water to find trout, ladyfish and jacks in a feeding pattern. Redfish, snook and trout are coming onto the shallows later in the day to warm up under the sun's rays. As the water temperature continues to warm up, the fish will become more active on the flats.
To find trout, look for clean water. Most of the east shore south of Fort Pierce has remained clean and you can find some clean water to the north around Harbor Branch and Round Island. We caught all of our trout on DOA CAL jerk baits in several colors that were mostly dark in nature. Snook season opens at midnight on Saturday night and many anglers are preparing to head out to get the first chance at a slot fish. Remember to check your license and snook stamp prior to getting on the water. Redfish can be found in many areas in shallow water around the river. DOA CAL grub tails are my favorite this time of year for the reds. Rootbeer is a good ol' standby that can't be beat on the flats.
Bridges slowed down this week with some black drum, snapper and sheephead being caught. The mackerel, bluefish and jacks have been thick around the jetties and along the beaches this past week. Pompano have been around the channels and beaches, but the bite wasn't heavy lately. It should be picking back up this week. I took my wife, Eva, out for a spin on the St Lucie River this week. We had a nice cruise and it was good to get her back on the water again.
Tip of the Week:
Safety equipment in your boat is not only just a requirement, but an essential part of your boating experience. Having the right gear might not seem important until you have a situation where it is necessary for safety or survival. Check the U. S. Coast Guard requirements for your particular vessel. You should check flares for expired dates and that fire extinguishers are current. First Aid kits should be checked and stocked regularly to be ready for any emergency that might pop up on any given adventure on the water. Life vests should be inspected for mildew and broken straps. Instruct passengers on locations of emergency equipment on your boat. These are a few things that always seem to be at the bottom of the list and last to be thought of until an emergency happens and you need your safety equipment. Boat and fish in a safe manner to prevent accidents, but be prepared when the unexpected might happen on your vessel. Have a safe and fun 2009!
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
[IMG]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a378/captaincharlie/100_0996.jpg[/IMG]
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 175
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2009 - 2:50 pm: | |
January 23, 2009
INSHORE:
As I look around outside and see brown grass....frost scorched plants & trees and my poor tomato plants....we sure did have one cold front move through this week. The days haven't been so bad, but the nights have chilled the water and made it more challenging to fish on the river this week. Look for a fantastic weekend ahead to get out and do some fishing!
I was out over the past weekend, just before the cold front hit so hard. Ray Boyd and his son-in-law, Mike, were out with me and we ended up having a great time on the water. With the water so cold, we found trout, ladyfish and jacks on the flats. Ray and Mike decided to have a contest to see who caught more fish. We lost count of how many and they tried to keep track of who was ahead. Well, rules continued to be changed and challenged so I have no idea who won the contest, but we all had a wonderful time on the river. I think this was a continuation of the contest from last year.....
It's important to find the warmer water to find the fish. Deeper water will work better in early mornings and you can move to the shallows on these sunny days to look for redfish and trout. Jerk baits, suspending lures and live bait will be good choices of baits. Fish slowly as the fish will be slow to move and sometimes you have to put if right in front of their face to get them to eat. Harbor Branch and Queen's Cove have continued to hold trout, ladyfish and jacks. Fishing around bridges, docks and deep cuts can pay off in this type of conditions. It has been a challenging and cold week!
Tip of the Week:
It's not as important in getting the early start in cold conditions. As the sun warms up the water, the fish will become active and more apt to feed. Fishing lures slowly along the bottom will give you more opportunities on each cast and have a better chance getting that hit from a fish. DOA shrimp or CAL jerk baits are great ways to fish for trout and other species in cold water. Deeper cuts along mangroves can also be a great area to target fish. Fish slow and low and have success in this artic weather.......
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 |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 174
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 4:54 am: | |
January 16, 2009
INSHORE:
Looks like the latest c-c-c-cold f-f-f-front has invaded the T-t-t-treasure C-c-c-coast and brought some cold nights and cool days for a few days. Staying warm is part of preparing for your trip on the water. I broke out the ol' long handles this week in order to make fishing a little more comfortable. I called the Fishing Center in Fort Pierce to see if they stocked ice augers!!
Fishing will change as the water temperatures drop rapidly over the next several days. Looking for fish in deeper water will help improve your catch. Try fishing areas that might help keep the water warmer. Concrete seawalls can retain heat from the sun and keep water a little warmer than the surrounding water. Look to the shallows later in the day as the sun warms up the water. Fishing your lures or bait very slowly will also give you a better advantage.
Bob Baker was back this year to visit with his dad, Tom. We ventured out on a nice day and found the trout in the mood to eat as well as the usual ladyfish and jacks. Both caught their share of nice trout up to 20" and filled in the day with the ladies, jacks and bluefish on the flats. Tom Hull was down from Melbourne and we launched from Round Island on a windy day on the Indian River. It was just as this cold front had made it into the area. I didn't expect the fish to cooperate as much, but I needed to run the boat and do some scouting around the area. Harbor Branch has steadily been producing trout. We found them on the flats with DOA CAL jerk baits. I have been using the silver mullet and Arkansas glow colors a lot lately and having good success with them. Ladyfish and jacks kept us busy on some of the trout flats as well. We stealthily made our way onto some of the better redfish flats and found a couple of hungry reds along the mangroves and shallow flats to end up with a good day of fishing in less than desirable conditions.
Trout fishing will change this next week to deeper water. Try channel edges for some good action and deeper tidal cuts around the islands. Docks and the bridges will be great areas as well to find fish hanging around to keep warm and wait for an easy meal to drift by with the tides. Bridges will produce sheephead, sand perch and snapper. You can't beat a slow worked DOA shrimp around the docks. Redfish will be a little more tolerant of the cold water, but getting them to bite might be a challenge for a few days. I generally like to move out the three to five feet of water when the sun is high to find fish trying to feed and keep warm. The jetties will continue to hold jacks, mackerel and bluefish, while the surf should have plenty of whiting and pompano cruising along the beach.
Tip of the Week:
Remember to slow down your retrieve and approach around the flats. Fish are lethargic in cold water and will be slower to react to bait or lures as well as your boat moving along the flats. Trout will hang in the deep sand holes and will be more likely to hit a slow moving lure. If you are drifting too fast, you will see lots more fish than you will catch. Slow it down and improve your catching in cold water.
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
DOA CAL jerk baits work great on redfish!
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 173
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 09, 2009 - 6:03 am: | |
January 9, 2009
INSHORE:
Well, here we go beginning another new year and looking forward to exciting adventures on the water. We have already had some great days out there in spite of windy conditions a lot of the time. The fish are feeding on the flats and you can find an assortment of species around the Indian River this month. We have had lots of fun out there recently.
I had several friends return to fish the Indian River. Robert Strang and Denise were down and Denise topped off her day with a 26" snook. Keith Mullins and Kai were down to enjoy the nice weather again. Adrian and Phil Lusardi were out again with me and we had some wonderful fishing on one of those very windy days. Mark Platt, Bill Massan & John Wayman were some of the new clients that I had the privilege to have on the boat.
The bite for redfish, snook and trout has continued to improve around the river, with some big gator trout being taken in the shallow grass flats. Our best day was with Adrian and Phil Lusardi as they caught six reds and a number of snook and trout. Almost all of our fish continue to be caught on artificials. DOA CAL jerk baits and grub tails are my favorites out there on the flats. Rootbeer is always a sure fire color to use during the winter months. These fish are all feeding in the same areas, so you can find yourself with an inshore slam on any given day. Fish slowly and keep a stealthy approach in the shallows to improve your success rate.
Bridges continue to produce sheephead, black drum, sand perch and snapper on live or dead shrimp. Lots of mackerel, jacks and bluefish are around the inlets, while whiting and pompano are the best catches along the surf. You can usually find jacks and bluefish also feeding along the beaches. Channel edges along the river has held a good grouper bite as well as mackerel and snapper. And the usual ladyfish and jacks are wreaking havoc all over the river!
Tip of the Week:
Wind is the norm around the Treasure Coast during winter and spring. You can expect lots of it and plan your adventures around each front. It's also a good time to use the wind to get some much needed things accomplished that is hard to do most of the year. Here are just a few little chores that can be done when the winds are blowing and you have that itch to go fishing!
1. Cleaning out that tackle bag or box. You just never know what might be down in the bottom of it!
2. Changing that old line on your reels and making sure all your reels and rods are in good working order.
3. Checking safety equipment on the boat. Flares and fire extinguishers all have expirations that need to be checked at least once a year to comply with Coast Guard regs.
There are many little things that you can just take a few minutes and check out so that your next trip on the water will be safe, fun and exciting. Checking lights on the boat and trailer change spark plugs or water separators, inspect battery connections, tighten the screws around the deck of the boat and many more small chores that take little time. Have a fun and safe 2009!
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
Denise with a nice snook, Mark battling another fish, Adrian & Phil with a few of their catches this week on the Indian River....
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 172
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2008 - 4:31 pm: | |
December 23, 2008
INSHORE:
This year has come and gone so fast and I would like to thank everyone for making 2008 full of great memories and fun adventures on the water. We hope that you and your family has the most wonder of Holiday Seasons and wish you the very best for 2009!
Some great fishing weather awaited anglers this past week on the Indian River. Mild temperatures and very little winds to allow boats to spread throughout the river and ocean in search of their favorite species of fish. It was unusual to have so many great fishing days without another cold front to stir things up again. Even the fish were enjoying the weather and we found them hungry as well.
Big sheephead are around the river now. Each day we caught lots of three to five pound sheephead around docks and structure along the Indian River. Kevin and Gordon had some non-stop action and the next day Jack, Bill and Steve enjoyed the same fun and even caught some snook and grouper as well. Dave and Cody Howard were next to wrestle some of these big sheephead from under the docks. Young Cody mastered it well and also found a variety of fish to keep his rod bending. We had lots of fun this week on the water!
Trout have been holding in three to five feet on the grass flats. We had a number of trout along with all the jacks and ladyfish you cared to tangle with. The youngsters were all smiles this week with the quick and seemingly unending action. There were some redfish caught around some of the docks this week. You can also find some hanging in the shallows under the warmth of the sun. All our fish this week were caught on DOA CAL jerk baits or live shrimp on a DOA jig head. There is some fast furious action awaiting you out there on the river!
Black drum, sand perch and sheephead topped the list on the catwalks and bridges this week. Live or dead shrimp works great for these areas. Pompano around the Power Plant and in the surf has been the catch for those anglers. The jetties continue to hold Spanish mackerel, bluefish and jacks for those with a silver spoon. It's been a fantastic week on the water!
Tip of the Week: It's almost the end of 2008 and many will soon be thinking of resolutions for the coming year. While my usual ones are always to lose weight and keep healthy, I will set a few as well for the water.....
1. Protect our grass flats. Idle speed in the shallows and use a trolling motor or push pole the majority of the time. Prop scars can take years to heal if at all.
2. Pick up some kind of trash from the water on each adventure. There is always something floating around in the river and picking up something can only help in keeping our river cleaner.
3. Teach as many of our youth the art of fishing. Etiquette, casting skills, safe boating and using artificials are only a few of the many things that we can teach our future anglers.
4. Practice catch and release. Safe handling and releasing of fish can help insure a population for generations to come.
5. It's all about having fun! Enjoy your time on the water and make it enjoyable for everyone around you.
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
Cody Howard was busy reeling in fish this week with his dad, Dave. Jack and his sister had big days while fishing with their family, the Murrays.
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 171
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 05, 2008 - 10:40 am: | |
December 5, 2008
INSHORE:
Fantastic weather and great fishing awaited anglers this week. Mild temperatures and winds provided us with some excitement on the water. In spite of cool water, the fish are out there feeding and it's a great time of year to fish the Indian River.
Rich Dickerson was out with me this past week and we enjoyed lots of action early with ladyfish, trout and jacks and later in the day we chased redfish and Rich hooked a nice red until it got off. Josh Lukat, with brother, Kyle, and friend, Austin, came out to celebrate Josh's Birthday. Once again we began the day with hoards of ladyfish, jacks and trout and the guys ended up their day with some nice trout and Kyle losing a slot redfish. Clint from the Fishing Center and I went out for a fun day of fishing. We found big reds and trout in the shallow water and boated several big trout to end up the day. There are some big fish out there on the flats!
Trout season is still close, but catch and release trout action has been hot lately. Big trout are in the shallow water as the sun warms things up. Redfish are also coming onto the flats as well. You can find them in one to three feet of water once things warm up out there. We used soft baits and MirrOLures to find some nice trout this week and even hook up with a few redfish. Snook are also patrolling the edges of the flats. Harbor Branch up north and any of the flats south towards the Power Plant have been good areas this week. Night anglers are still catching some slots and a good number of shorts this week. Don't forget that snook season closes December 15th. You still have a few days to catch that slot!
If just fun is what you are looking for......there are large schools of ladyfish and jacks on the flats to keep your rod bending for hours. We have fished three to five feet of water when just wanting a little fun fishing this week. The inlet has held bluefish, mackerel and ladyfish in large numbers. Bridge anglers are still enjoying lots of sand perch, black drum, snapper and sheephead from the catwalks. Live or dead shrimp always get you some action around the bridges. Pompano have been along the surf and down by the power lines for those interested in some great table fare. Shrimp or sand fleas are the best baits for them. Not many reports of flounder yet, but everyone is anticipating their arrival. We had lots of exciting action out there!
Tip of the Week:
Jerk baits have been working great for us lately. Colors aren't as important as working them properly. We have been slowly popping them along the bottom and letting them sit for a few seconds in between pops. Most hits have been of the drop or when it lies motionless on the bottom. DOA CAL jerk baits in rootbeer, silver mullet or green back colors have been our best producers this week. I use 1/16 or 1/8 oz. jig heads so they will easily work over the very shallow flats. Have some fun this week on the Indian River!
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
Kyle, Josh and Austin enjoyed a good day fishing the waters of the Indian River......
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 170
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 27, 2008 - 2:38 pm: | |
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!
December Fishing Forecast:
Here it is December already and the Holidays are almost upon us. Where has this year gone? I must say it has been a great year for fishing all along the Treasure Coast. Both inshore and offshore has provided anglers with many great fishing adventures. We were blessed with a mild winter last year and hopefully we can look forward to another great year for winter fishing!
December brings on the winter months and changes fishing tactics on the river. The water temperatures continue to fall and your fishing must adjust to the weather. We will get many days of breezy winds that will hinder getting to some favorite spots out there. That's one of the reasons I love fishing in this area....you can always find somewhere to fish! Not only does the cooler weather affect the fish, it also requires us to dig out the ol' winter fishing clothes. It can get pretty chilly some mornings!
Trout and snook will be targets throughout the winter. Although trout season will remain closed through December and snook season closes December 15th, lots of anglers will still play catch and release with them. Fishing around bridges, docks and inlets can bring great action with snook hanging around the deeper waters of the river. Using live bait, red tail hawks and bomber lures can help you catch one worth a photo opportunity. Trout will tend to hang around the deeper cuts of the river. Move off to three to six feet of water for trout. Live shrimp on popping corks will work the best for them. I love to work DOA CAL jerk baits this time of year on the flats. You can also find snook and redfish hanging around those areas, too.
Pompano will begin to show up in the river and beaches this month. Spanish mackerel will continue to hang out in their favorite haunts of the river. Jack Crevalle will be traveling around in packs chasing bait all over the river. Flounder should continue to hit in the inlets and sandy areas of the river. Ladyfish is a great way to spend a few hours with the kids on the water. The bridges will be holding sheephead, croakers and sand perch for those anglers. Live or dead shrimp is always the best bet from the catwalks.
Redfish were hanging around the flats all last winter and I don't see any reason why you won't find them there this year. The past two years, the redfish population has explodedin our area! Schools of reds have given many anglers a fantastic fishing experience on our saltwater flats. Look for them as the sun warms up the water. You will find small groups at times tailing along the flats. Gold spoons, twitch baits and live bait can entice one into striking. Work your baits slow and remain stealthy to keep from sending them to depths unknown.....
Snook season closes December 15th so you just have a short time to catch that slot fish.
Winter fishing is already here. Change your tactics with the weather and follow the water temperatures more closely to make your fishing more productive. The fishing on our Treasure Coast continues to improve each years. If we all do our share to protect our rivers, we can insure the future generations will enjoy the same experiences we have been blessed with.
Remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!
Good Fishing!
Captain Charlie Conner
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While catching a smorgasboard of fish this week, Rich fooled this sheephead with a DOA CAL grub tail. |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 169
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008 - 6:42 am: | |
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
[IMG]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a378/captaincharlie/100_1041.jpg[/IMG]
Dress in layers this time of year, when fishing the cool mornings.... |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 168
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 14, 2008 - 4:20 am: | |
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
Tom Hull with a few catches this week on the Indian River.....
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 167
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2008 - 2:40 am: | |
November 6, 2008
INSHORE:
Now that fall is in full swing around the Treasure Coast, you can find water temperatures dropping and windy conditions much of the time out on the water. We ended up canceling twice this week and I managed to get out one day that was not so blustery as the others. We can expect similar conditions as the cold fronts work their way through the area on an almost weekly basis now. It's a great time to fish, but can be challenging on some days.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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. Florida is famous for cold nights and hot days and layering can keep you comfortable throughout your day on the water. It can get challenging with the wind and cold, so prepare prior to getting on the water. It's always cooler out there than at home.
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 |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 166
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 30, 2008 - 5:47 am: | |
October 30, 2008
INSHORE:
Some ghoulish weather has kept the winds howling around the Treasure Coast this week just in time for Halloween! The rain went away, but the breezy conditions remained this week to keep most anglers from venturing out. The approaching weekend should bring few milder days, but the winds will most likely be blowing into next week. Welcome to wintertime in Florida!
We did get one good day on the water prior to the latest weather front. Bill Schaefer and his son, Chris, and friend, Chris, met me for a day of fishing and dodging rain clouds. We fished south of Fort Pierce and found trout, jacks, snook and other species feeding on the flats and proceeded to have a lot of fun playing catch and release. We had a number of triple hookups that morning. We managed to skirt most of the rain and finished off the afternoon as the weather deteriorated quickly. By the next day, the winds picked up and made fishing difficult if not dangerous.
Trout, jacks, ladyfish and bluefish continue to feed on the flats in two to four feet of water. Live shrimp on popping corks along with DOA CAL jerk baits have provided lots of fun this month. Fish the outgoing tides to find snook around the inlet areas and docks along the river. Redfish have been hanging around docks as well. We should find pompano and flounder around the river now that the cold fronts have started their winter patterns.
Bridges anglers have been catching sand perch, black drum and snapper on live or dead shrimp. The jetties continue to hold big jacks, snook, bluefish and some flounder on the south side of the jetty. The north bridge in Fort Pierce and Taylor Creek have been good spots for snook fishing, especially the night anglers. The fish are out there if you can work with the windy conditions!
Tip of the Week:
Winter is fast approaching and weather fronts will be a weekly force around the Treasure Coast. Unfortunately, good weather seldom coincides with days off or weekends. Take a few minutes and check the weather for the days that you want to fish. There are many ramps around the area that can provide safe launching depending on what conditions you will be facing. It's easy to google local county boat ramps in the area. Some are great ramps and less used than normal. Some provide access to areas when the wind isn't your best friend. Make the most of your days on the water!
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
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A couple photos of this weeks fishing. Bill with one of many trout and Chris with a big jack from the flats. |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 165
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 24, 2008 - 7:05 am: | |
October 24, 2008
INSHORE:
In spite of a blustery week of windy weather, we managed a couple nice days to get out on the Indian River and find the fish in the mood to eat some baits. We had to cancel a few days due to the conditions. Looks like this next week will continue with strong winds and rainy days in the forecast, so plan your ventures wisely out there. Inshore has been fishable, but offshore still has been difficult most days to get out.
Todd Dziak and his dad, Fred, were out with me this past week and we encountered lots of trout and jacks on the flats on a near perfect day for fishing. Richie and JoAnn Adams also had some nice weather the day we fished the Indian River this week. Once again, the fish were feeding and we had a great day on the water. We caught a variety of fish this week on the Treasure Coast.
We fished some docks on the outgoing tides for snook this week. Richie and JoAnn caught a half dozen snook in the 22-25" range and lost one big snook under the docks. Fishing the outgoing tides has been the most productive around the inlets and bridges as well. Live baits have worked best for us, but some are still being taken on artificials, especially around the jetties.
Richie landed a nice 26" redfish from under a dock as well while snook fishing. He even caught a few gag grouper both at the docks and on the flats. We spent the rest of our trips on the flats catching lots of trout up to 22" and many jacks. Todd, Richie and JoAnn had a busy, but fun time catching and releasing a lot of fish on their adventures. We have still been fishing mostly south of Fort Pierce down towards the Power Plant on the eastern side of the river.
Bridges have continued to hold sand perch, black drum, snapper and some croakers on live or dead shrimp. The surf has been pretty quiet with the strong northeast winds coming onto shore. The jetties have held snook at night and jacks, bluefish and mackerel most of the time on active tides. It a good time of year to play around with a top water lure around the inlets.
Tip of the Week:
Now that fall is showing signs that winter isn't far off. It's a good time to check on your batteries and make sure they are in good working condition. Cold weather and batteries don't always make a good combination. As the temperatures cool off, if you are going to have battery problems, it will most likely happen on a cold morning when you least expect it. Clean terminals for good contact and replace any worn or corroded cables that can cause problems. If a battery is in question, most places that sell them will also check yours out to see what condition it is in and if replacement is necessary. Oh...and you might locate those long johns soon, too!
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
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A few of Todd Dziak's catches this week
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Richie and JoAnn with a few of their catches |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 164
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 17, 2008 - 2:49 pm: | |
October 16, 2008
INSHORE:
A quiet week along the Treasure Coast.....rain blowing and wind howling most of the week kept all but the diehard angler off the water. Both inshore and offshore fishing was all but lost this week. It finally calmed a bit today to allow some fishing, but dirty water and higher than normal tides made it difficult to say the least. But....tomorrow is another day and we will be out on the water in search of our quarry once again! The coming weekend should provide us with fishable weather ahead.
Ian Moss and I finally got a day that we could get on the water after cancelling earlier in the week. The day provided us with trout and jacks on the flats. The bait was harder to find, but we were able to catch some fish. Tom Hull reported catching trout and jacks as well. He caught some up to 23" on the flats south of Fort Pierce. DOA CAL jerk baits continue to work well on the flats. They have even out fished live bait this week. Seek out the bait schools and clean water when you can for your best fishing opportunities.
Bridges have held some sand perch, snapper and black drum recently. Whiting has been the mainstay on the beaches for those who have dared venture on the sand. Snook around the inlets have been caught mostly at night or on the outgoing tides. Overall....a pretty quiet week around the river.
Tip of the Week:
Jig heads have always been a pet peeve of mine. Lots of types, brands, sizes, colors, etc....... I use lots of jigs on the flats and rely on them to work the way I want them to. Pay attention to how the head is made. Is it tapered to allow the jig to lift up over the grass or made so it will nose down when jigged. Below are two photos of a few types of jig heads. All are designed as jigs, but most will act differently on the flats. In shallow water, I like jigs that have a tapered head and the eye of the hook positioned so that it will pull up at an angle when used. It allows my lure to work through the grass effectively without picking up grass on the retrieve. Next time you are looking at jig heads.....notice how they are made. Choose yours based on your own fishing needs.
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These jig heads all work well, but do tend to nose down and can pick up grass on the flats.
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Notice the upward sweep of the head and the eye positioned to pull up on the head as it is worked across the flats.
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 |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 163
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 09, 2008 - 1:03 pm: | |
October 9, 2008
INSHORE:
Weather this week along the Treasure Coast has been wet and windy on a few days, but great fishing conditions most of this week on the Indian River. A great weekend is ahead of us and with all the baitfish around the river, it should be a fantastic time on the water. We have spent most of the week between the Power Plant and the Fort Pierce bridges and found cleaner water in most areas and lots of activity on the east side of the river.
There have been lots of schoolie trout on the flats. Find the cleaner water and the bait schools and you should find your fish. Lots of other species have been feeding around the bait as well. Barracuda, snook, redfish, jacks, mackerel and bluefish have all been out there feasting. There are some tarpon around Big and Little Mud Creeks. It's a wonderful time to be fishing the Indian River. Try live bait, like mullet, pinfish or shrimp, and DOA CAL jerk baits for your best results. Top water in the early mornings can also give you some solid strikes. We have been targeting 3 - 5 feet of water around the edges of the bait fish.
Tom Tait and his fishing friend, Annette, were out fishing this week with me and we caught trout, snook and jacks along the bait schools. It was a fun day on the water. Adrian and Lionel Lusardi were back fishing with me again this week. We caught an assortment of fish including trout, snook and jacks and just missed a tarpon hookup at Little Mud. Lionel ended the day with a nice redfish on a CAL jerk bait.
I have had a few reports of the sand perch showing up around the Fort Pierce bridges this week. A few flounder, snapper and black drum also being caught around the Inlet. Some whiting, bluefish and mackerel along the beaches have kept surf anglers busy. Snook fishing around the area at night has been productive at the jetties, north bridge in Fort Pierce and the turning basin. It's a great time of year.
This week, I had the pleasure of speaking at the Martin County Anglers Club in Stuart. Met a great bunch of avid anglers and had a wonderful time at their meeting. Thanks to everyone for having me and hope to see you all again.
Tip of the Week:
Fishing the Treasure Coast in the fall can provide fantastic opportunities at hooking up with your favorite species. So much baitfish have invaded the river that it's easier to decide where to fish and spend more time fishing. We look for areas that have nervous, agitated or bait being crashed. Fish the edges with live or artificial baits for the best results. Snook, trout, jacks and redfish will all be looking for that quick, easy meal. If the bait calms down and things get quiet, it might be time to move on to the next action. The more the activity, the more chance at finding the fish. Try fishing around the bait.....you just never know what might be lurking on the outskirts!
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 |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 162
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 02, 2008 - 4:10 pm: | |
October 2, 2008
INSHORE:
If you haven't been out fishing lately...you are missing some of the best action of the year. Acres of baitfish and lots of hungry fish eaters out there giving chase. It's a fantastic time to live and fish the Treasure Coast! Mild weather conditions have only contributed to the exciting times on the water. We had some great fun out there this week.
It's not too difficult to find areas to fish right now. Look for any of the cleaner water and baitfish and you should find your action waiting on you. We have fished south just about exclusively this week and had some nice catches out there. Sunday, as I was scouting for this weekend, the bite took off on the flats and the redfish, snook, trout and jacks all were in a cooperative mood to eat. All fish were caught in 3 to 4 feet of water.
Tom Hull was down to fish this week and we again headed south of Fort Pierce to try our luck. A few lost top water lures later we switched to jerk baits and found the fish ready and willing to eat again. Lots of trout up to 18" are out there and willing to choke down a soft bait to keep you busy. Jacks are everywhere along with some ladyfish. We also nailed some short snook.....that is until Tom got crushed by a snook on his CAL jerk bait. After a tense battle on light tackle, he coaxed a 31" slot snook boat side. I am sure he said it was his personal best. These fish are following the bait schools and hungry. Watch were the baitfish have gathered and fish the edges for your action.
DOA CAL jerk baits have produced just about all our catches this week. I have been using any colors that tend to resemble mullet or baitfish and having good success on a CAL jighead. Try Arkansas Glow or Silver Mullet colors. We have fished them slow or fast as the bite seems to warrant. We have caught a smorgasbord of different species this week on them. Don't miss out on some of this great fishing action out on the Indian River. Have some fun soon!
Bridges and jetties have produced black drum this week. The surf has yielded whiting and a few pompano with live or dead shrimp. Night anglers are still catching snook around the jetties and bridges on mostly live bait. Enjoy yourself out there!
Tip of the Week:
Check your leader often out there fishing. Fish or structure can fray leaders quickly and if you aren't re-tying as necessary, you might just lose that big fish. Tom was a perfect example this week. He retied his worn leader just prior to hooking up on his slot snook and that enabled him to fight that fish to the boat. Take those few seconds and make sure your gear is ready for action. Sometimes doing little things correctly can lead to bigger things ahead!
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
[IMG]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a378/captaincharlie/Octobertfishing0 08Small.jpg[/IMG]
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Tom Hull in action this week on the Indian River!
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Thanks DOA!! |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 161
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 26, 2008 - 3:54 pm: | |
September 26, 2008
INSHORE:
It was another good week fishing on the Indian River Lagoon. We had some fantastic sunny days along with a few days that you dared not venture out. Overall, the weather has held up nicely and we are in for another great weekend of fishing on the Treasure Coast. We fished both north and south of Fort Pierce this week. Hope you get a chance to get out fishing.
The trout bite picked up this week, finally. CAL jerk baits caught most of our fish this week. Try colors that will resemble baitfish or mullet. Those worked well for us. Arial, Kaleb and Jordan fished with me in the Teen Anglers tournament and we hooked up on nearly two dozen trout. The guys had more trouble getting them to the boat that day than hooking up. Scott Ring and his son, Jeremy, was also out with me and we hooked up on the trout as well. Most are schoolie trout up to 18 inches. The tides were high so you can fish closer into the banks on some of the flats. Most of our fish came in 3-4 feet of water.
We also caught some short snook, grouper and jacks while fishing the trout flats. Some big fish were crashing bait along the outer edges of the shallows. There have been lots of jacks around the river lately. Most of the snook action has been around the bridges, jetties and docks and mostly at night. Live bait has worked the best for them. We did find a few big snook around some of the docks. Not many reports of redfish this week. The water quality continues to improve and so will the fishing. The better water has been south of Fort Pierce on the east side. Bear Point has held lots of bait this week.
Not much to report on the catwalks or surf this week. The winds had the surf churned up most of the week and the catwalk anglers were not reporting much on catches. Some black drum, snapper and flounder are being taken. Mid week bought the windy conditions and not many anglers were brave enough to get on the water.
Tip of the Week:
Fall is fast approaching and fishing conditions always change with the seasons. Plan on varying your fishing patterns and try something different if the bite changes. Right now, with the mullet run in force, you can use mullet type lures and colors with good success. As the mullet move out, watch for changes in baitfish, temperatures and water conditions. It's a great time of year to fish on the Treasure Coast!
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
[IMG]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a378/captaincharlie/100_1050-1.jpg[/IMG]
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Snook on the flats can provide great fishing action this time of year! |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 160
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 4:23 pm: | |
September 18, 2008
INSHORE:
Mother Nature sure dealt us a great week of fishing weather. Winds inshore were mild most days and we had some fantastic fun out on the water. Fish were in the mood to bite and the water clarity has continued to improve, especially south of Fort Pierce. Looks like this weekend the forecast calls for more of the same conditions, so plan on fishing and enjoying the sunshine!
I was out scouting a couple days and found snook, jacks and bluefish around both the river and along the surf. Large schools of jacks are roving the water and can provide some great fun out there. Snook have continued to hit around the jetties, bridges and docks of the area. The best bite has been the outgoing tides. DOA TerrorEyz, shallow running Baitbusters and the Big Fish Lure has been the best producing artificials along with top water lures. Live mullet or pinfish are the preferred live bait. Redfish have been hitting around the inlet and docks this week as well. The bait has flooded into the river and the hungry predators have followed it.
I also had the pleasure of having Will Whitehead and Ty Fisher on the boat this week. I could tell right off that it was gonna be one of those competitive days. We found jacks, snook, redfish, flounder and grouper as we fished the area. The guys caught a number of snook, a couple of nice slot reds and a host of other fish. We lost a couple big snook and had several big grouper break us off. It was a great day out there with wonderful weather and hungry fish.
Today, I ventured down to the beach to see what is happening out there in the surf. Anything that resembles a mullet will catch you some fish right now. The trough along the beach was loaded with snook, jacks and bluefish. I ended up with one slot snook (released) and lots of jacks and bluefish. I was using a DOA Big Fish Lure and the fish ended up tearing it up by the time I was finished. Lots of fun in the surf this week!
Tip of the Week:
With the fall mullet run in full force, look to find which of your lures will best imitate a wounded mullet. The fish are keying in on the bait schools and will attack anything that looks like an easy meal. Top water, Baitbusters, etc will get you the strikes. It wasn't long ago that the fish were gorging on pinfish, but now it's mullet time! Match your lures to the bait and you will have better success out on the water.
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
[IMG]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a378/captaincharlie/Augustfishing001 Small.jpg[/IMG]
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Will Whitehead with a couple of his days catch this week. Even a barracuda couldn't resist the DOA Big Fish Lure. |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 159
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 11, 2008 - 6:07 am: | |
Take a minute today and remember all the loved ones who gave their lives on 9/11.
September 11, 2008
INSHORE:
As Ike decided to stay south of us, the weather was fantastic for outdoor activities over the past weekend and looks the one approaching will be just as nice. The fishing really on Saturday and Sunday, even though Ike decided to throw some winds at us the past several days to make it harder to get out there. If the forecast is correct, get out some top water lures and head out for a weekend of fishing!
I was delighted to get the opportunity to take out the grandkids this weekend. Grandma Eva and mom, Dena, met me at the ramp with 3 year old, Chloe, and 6 month old, Brody for an adventure on the water. Just remember that pinfish isn't always just for bait. Chloe excitedly reeled in pinfish after pinfish and even caught a catfish in the process. Of course, being a three year old, she was determined to reel every fish in herself and did it like a seasoned angler. There's nothing as rewarding than watching children enjoy a day on the water!
Snook fishing has remained good for those fishing around the inlets, bridges and docks. Some overslots were reported along with shorts and several elusive slots. Live mullet and pinfish has been the bait of choice, but diving plugs and jigs have also worked well around the jetties. Some big snook are out there in the shallows as well. DOA's Big Fish Lure has worked great this time of year. It looks and swims like a mullet and presents an easy target on the flats for many species. A 31" snook exploded on it in three feet of water. I was able to fish south of Fort Pierce and the water is showing good signs of clearing up soon.
Big schools of jacks have moved into the river to wreak havoc on the bait schools. They are easy to spot on calm days and are great fun to catch and release. Some are in the 15 - 20 pound range. The bluefish have also been crashing the bait. There are still some snapper along the channel edges. The trout bite has remained slow for now, but should pick up again soon. Redfish have begun showing back up on the flats as the water begins the slow process of clearing up. Most have been north of Fort Pierce on the flats from Queen's Cove to the Moorings. The surf report has been spotty with all the windy weather lately. Offshore has also been pretty quiet of late. It's a great time of year to be living and fishing around the Treasure Coast.
Tip of the Week:
Once in while, I manage to get one of those days to just get out and enjoy the weather and water. Not so much concentration on fishing as relaxing and watching everything around you. The many birds and fish provide a natural serenade of sights and sounds to help soothe your soul and mind. It brings back the memories of many fishing adventures on the water. There's a lot going on in this world we live in, so once in a while it's good to get out on the water to ease the tensions. It might not change a lot, but is gives you a break from the news, TV and routine. Plan on getting out soon!
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
[IMG]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a378/captaincharlie/Augustfishing001 2Small.jpg[/IMG]
The DOA Big Fish Lure fooled this 31" snook on the Fort Pierce flats....
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Chloe's fishing adventure with the family! |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 158
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 05, 2008 - 5:26 am: | |
September 5, 2008
INSHORE:
Instead of rigging rods, backing down a ramp or drooling over new tackle.......here I am watching Hanna dump rain and wind on us, wondering where Ike might just decide to land and wishing an untimely death to Josephine out there in the far distance. That's a far cry from fishing, but welcome to September in Florida. We have more wind and rain coming this way and many are more concerned about Hurricane preparedness than fishing. Fishing will just have to wait for a few days......
Snook season quietly opened this year and there were some hardy anglers out this past week. Some did have success for their braving the windy weather. Live shrimp, pinfish or mullet was the bait of choice for most. The spillways, bridges and jetties were the best options to fish for snook this week. Feather jigs, DOA TerrorEyz and diving plugs will also be good artificials when fishing for snook. Try the DOA Big Fish Lure at night around the jetties. It looks like the real thing out there.
Flats fishing was tough due to the dirty water conditions and winds whipping across the shallows. Travis and Corrine fished with me on Saturday and while we caught fish, it was slow out there on the water. A few reports of trout and redfish around the spoil islands on live bait and some snapper around the channels, but not a week to brag about for a change. As these storms move away from us, the fishing will get back to normal again.
The fall mullet run has been going on during all this weather and the river is loaded with bait right now. Look for snook fishing to improve as water conditions get better and flats fishing should pick up also as the water clears up.........some day!
Tip of the Week:
If you are fishing this week or next, be aware of the weather around you and don't take unnecessary chances. Conditions can change rapidly and tropical storm winds or rain can move in quickly. Plan a safe fishing trip if you head out on the water.
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
September Dreams!!
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 157
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2008 - 2:34 pm: | |
August 28, 2008
INSHORE:
Don't expect that ground to dry up just yet.....looks like another storm is out there brewin' and could very well head this way again. The river is stained brown with all the runoff freshwater flooding all through the Treasure Coast. Finding clean water will be difficult for a while longer, but the fish have to eat and if you try different areas you can still be successful out on the river. In spite of water conditions, we enjoyed some great catching this week!
I had R J Swinford, Joe Senneville and Cory Sullivan on the boat this week and we went out in search of some fishing action in the Fort Pierce area. After trying several usually good areas, we finally found fish gathered along the mangroves in a deep cut of water. We never had to look for another spot that day. They guys caught twenty some short snook up to 24", four slot redfish up to 26" and a number of snapper to make for a great day of fishing. It was steady action once we found where the fish were lurking.
Cory caught three of the redfish himself, while R J boated the other one. They all shared in the snook and snapper action. Live pinfish and shrimp on popping corks helped locate our fishing spot and we finally called it a day when we used up all our bait and an afternoon storm was working towards us. Try around the islands and along the channel edges. Live shrimp and pinfish are working great for now. DOA TerrorEyz has also been good for artificials. Top water lures will be the choice lures at first light.
Snapper action continues to be good along the channel edges. Some up to 13 pounds have been reported this week north of Fort Pierce. Snook action around the spillways of Taylor Creek have been producing some good sized fish. The jetties have also been a good spot to fish for linesiders. Snook season will re-open on September 1st, so get prepared for a lot of anglers out at midnight Sunday night into Monday.
Tip of the Week:
Take a quick minute and check out your navigation light on the boat along with your trailer lights. A lot of anglers will be heading for the ramps Sunday night for the opening of snook season and the Labor Day Weekend. Make sure all your lights are in good working order to keep yourself and others safe with the additional boating traffic this weekend. Keep safe this weekend and good luck fishing!
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
[IMG]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a378/captaincharlie/Augustfishing002 Small.jpg[/IMG]
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Cory Sullivan with two of his redfish and R J Swinford added his redfish to the days catch.... |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 156
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 07, 2008 - 6:32 pm: | |
ugust 7, 2008
INSHORE:
We enjoyed fishing schools of redfish once again this week. It's a sight in itself to see anywhere from fifty to one-hundred redfish out in front of the boat. We had some great fun and won a few battles fishing the flats of the Treasure Coast! It might be hot and muggy, but it's a great time of year to fish the Indian River.
While fishing with Steve Rial and his buddy, we ran into Charlie Norburn and his wife on the flats. Both boats ended up fishing a nice school of reds and everyone came out a winner! Charlie's wife, Linda, caught her very first redfish and can't wait to get out fishing again. The fish have been moving so any flat around the river could be holding them on any given day. From the Moorings south to Bear Point, you could find a school out there feeding. Most times, they have been very shallow so watch and see what is going on around you. DOA TerrorEyz has been the go to bait recently for redfish. DOA shrimp or CAL grub tails will also give you an advantage when fishing for redfish.
Snook have been holding around the jetties, docks and bridges around the river. A good night bite on the moving tides continues to keep anglers busy with catch and release snook. The trout bite continued to be slow this past week. They are gorging themselves on pin and pigfish, so try the TerrorEyz around the grass flats this time of year. Lots of good size snapper reported along the channel edges this week. Greg Schroeder reported he is catching lots of nice snapper. The surf has held whiting, jacks, Spanish mackerel and snook along the beaches. Can't beat a good ol' silver spoon this time of year!
Tip of the Week: Patience when fishing the shallow flats can really pay off if you take the time to watch the water and learn to read what is going on around you. It's good time of year to get out and see what is happening around you. Calm mornings mean that you can see just about anything moving on the flats. Redfish can sit and feed quietly, but you can find them if you are patient and watch. Noting where fish are feeding can help you on future adventures. Redfish like to feed in the shallow, sandy flats and sometimes are in less than a foot of water. It's fun, exciting and rewarding fishing!
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 |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 155
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 01, 2008 - 5:33 pm: | |
August 1, 2008
INSHORE:
Continued hot and muggy weather around the Treasure Coast this week has bought thunderstorms and rain around the area most afternoons. Fishing early or late in the day will give you the best opportunities out on the river. It's hot out there, so drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.
Redfish was our main target all week. Earlier in the week, the schools continued to feed on the shallow flats and we had some great success. The schools left the flats by the end of the week, but should appear any day again. Soft plastics, like DOA TerrorEyz or shrimp work best if fished along the bottoms slowly on the flats. Live pinfish work when nothing else will get them to eat. Gary Cruz was out with me earlier in the week with son, Devin, and nephew, Shane Murphy. They guys combined for a total of seven redfish in the 27" to 30" range. By midweek, the schools had left the shallows for deeper waters. Joe Vennarini and Debbie Stange each caught a snook this week. Debbie also caught a huge ladyfish that day. Joe broke in his new rod and reel with a big jack crevalle. Bob Bergen and Charlie Norburn joined me to seek out some redfish. It was a fun week on the river, even if the reds had moved out of the flats. We will get them next trip!
There are still lots of snook around the inlet, docks and bridges of the inlet. Night fishing and fishing the tides has been good with live baits. There are a few Spanish mackerel around the river and I have seen some bonito in the turning basin. Not the frenzy of a few weeks ago, but you can still find some out there feeding. Trout fishing was slower this week. Your best chance is at first light with top water lures. There are so many pinfish and pigfish out there, it's hard to tempt one with anything else right now. Some of the best action has been for snapper around the channel edges and structure. The sizes have been decent and make a great meal. Surf fishing has been mostly some whiting along the beaches.
Tip of the Week:
There are a number of things to remember with fishing this time of year. Fluids, sunscreen, sunglasses and hats are all important to keeping safe in the hot temperatures and high sunlight you face out there. Prepare before you get on the water and continue taking in fluids and using sunscreen throughout the day. It can make your day enjoyable and reduce the risks of too much sun.
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
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Gary, Devin and Shane with seven redfish that ranged from 27" - 30"
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Joe and Debbie with a couple Indian River catches this week. |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 154
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 24, 2008 - 2:42 pm: | |
July 24, 2008
INSHORE:
Some days I am truly amazed at the fantastic area we have to fish here on the Treasure Coast. Over the past twenty-six years that I have lived and fished along the Indian River, I am thankful for the abundant resources that we are so fortunate to enjoy. This past week, we have seen redfish schools that you could never find ten or fifteen years ago. Large and small schools of redfish have been roaming the flats this month. Watching a school of a hundred fish tailing and feeding in a foot or two of water bring the excitement level up rapidly. It's been a great week on the water!
We had found a few schools last week and when Frank Miller arrived at the ramp, we were in for some great fishing opportunities. After fishing a couple areas, we finally came up on a large school of reds. Keeping our distance so not to send them running, Frank hooked up on four reds and boated three of them. All upper slot or larger....he ended up with a 26" - 28" - 29" tally for the morning. Earlier in the week, found them once again feeding on the flats and a 27" beauty to the boat. Tom Hull joined me later in the week and we found them feeding in less than a foot of water with tails everywhere. While waiting for the tides to rise a few more inches to allow us to get close enough for a cast, Tom hooked up on a large jacks that was riding along with the school. We also boated a 29" redfish to make for a successful day. It was a wonderful week out there!
Snook fishing has continued to produce fish at night around the jetties, bridges and docks. We boated a few shorts around some of the docks to the south of Fort Pierce on DOA TerrorEyz and lost a couple nice hits under the docks. There are still tarpon around the inlet and down around Big and Little Mud Creeks. I had two nice tarpon hits on the DOA Big Fish lures this week. They look very realistic in the water. Bridges have continued to hold snapper, some croakers and sheephead. Bonito and Spanish mackerel still chase the bait around the inlet and turning basin of Fort Pierce. Beaches have been giving up whiting, mackerel and some bluefish. It's a great time of year to be fishing the Indian River!
Tip of the Week: Watch around you when you are fishing and see what is happening. Fish are feeding on the prevalent baits right now. If you watch, you see mullet, greenies and lots of pinfish. Change things up with your lures to match what they are feeding on. With all the pinfish and pigfish out there on the flats, try a DOA TerrorEyz. It has worked for us this week on snook and redfish when they wouldn't look at a shrimp. Don't be afraid to put down that favorite lure and try something different!
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
[IMG]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a378/captaincharlie/JulyFishing002Sm all-2.jpg[/IMG]
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Frank Miller caught these three redfish while fishing a large redfish school on the Indian River in Fort Pierce.
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Tom Hull found this big jack cruising along with the redfish this week. |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 153
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 17, 2008 - 2:34 pm: | |
July 17, 2008
INSHORE:
Summertime on the Indian River.....It's a wonderful time of year. Lots of afternoon thunderstorms have brought much needed rain to the area this year. You have to plan your trips carefully to get out and beat the odds of getting wet. The water has remained remarkably clear in spite of all the wet weather out there. Fishing picked up the latter part of the week and we enjoyed catching a variety of fish around the river.
Joe, Manolo and Pepe were out with me when the fishing was a challenge, but did catch dinner of snapper, mackerel and trout. It was a great day to be on the water. Joe and Crystal went out to celebrate Joe's birthday. Of course, Crystal caught the most and biggest fish! She ended up with a 20" black drum, 21" redfish, several snapper and an assortment of other fish to end up the day. Joe caught his share of the variety, including a grouper and snook. Happy Birthday Joe!
We again found redfish on the shallow flats. A few large schools have been cruising the flats with the higher tides, but have been very hesitant in biting. We found a school of more than a hundred reds this week, but they were not in the mood to eat. Move slowly when fishing the shallows as you never know when you might happen on a school of reds. Gold spoons, DOA shrimp or CAL jerk baits are good choices to use out there.
Trout was on the slower side for us this week. There is so much bait around, it's hard to get them to feed on anything else. We found lots of bait around Bear Point, Harbor Branch and Round Island. Fish around the glass minnows whenever you happen on them. Snook fishing around the inlet has been mostly at night or on the moving tides. There are snook around the docks and mangroves of the river also. Fish early for a chance around these areas. Joe coaxed one to hit his top water lure in the shallows around some of the docks.
There are still some nice snapper around the channel edges and docks. Crystal caught two keeper mangroves and a couple of short muttons from under the docks this week. Around the bridges, the anglers have caught snapper, croakers and sheephead. The mackerel are still around the inlet, but not as frenzied as last week. We did see some bonito crashing bait out there today. The surf has been producing mostly whiting and some croakers and mackerel. We had a lot of fun out this week and will be out there again looking for the action around the river.
Tip of the Week: Keep plenty of water on the boat during the summer months. Drink lots of liquids to begin the day and continue throughout your adventure. It is very important to keep yourself hydrated as the sun beats down on you and the water. Make sure all your passengers do the same! Have fun on the water this summer.
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 |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 152
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 11, 2008 - 3:34 pm: | |
July 10, 2008
INSHORE:
Summer heat has sure taken over along the Treasure Coast. Hot temperatures has warmed up the water and it has been an early bite most of the week. Look to deeper water after the sun heats things up out there. Fishing has been up and down this week. Most of the action has been around the turning basin with many anglers out to challenge the hoards of Spanish macks and bonitos that are chasing the schools of baitfish around the inlet.
Trout and snook have been on the flats early and move off as the sun rises. Top water or live bait will be your best choice on the flats, while soft baits are good around the mangroves and docks of the river. With all the bait around the inlet, night fishing can produce snook, tarpon or bonitos if you venture out. All of our trout this week have come on DOA CAL jerk baits in various colors. Mike James even caught a nice bluefish while fishing the flats.
We continue to find redfish up on the flats in the mornings. They have been pretty picky about biting, but there are many different lures and baits to try and coax them into feeding. The schools have been smaller most days and they have been in some shallow water. DOA shrimp or jerk baits are good lures to use along with live pigfish.
The mangrove snapper have continued to hold along the channel edges and structure around the river. Beaches have held whiting and Spanish mackerel. The inlet has been boiling with all the action and many large bull sharks are cruising underneath the frenzy. Don't be surprised to find one chomping on your catch next to the boat. Lionel Lusardi was out with his brother, Adrian, and battled a bonito in the boat.
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Lionel Lusardi was on the winning end of this bonito battle....
Tip of the Week:
Summer brings HOT weather out on the water. Harmful rays from the sun are beating down on you. Take a few minutes and make sure you put on good sunscreen during the day. Hats and sunglasses are a given when on the water. Don't find yourself with one bad sunburn to end a good day of fishing. Apply sunscreen before you leave the ramp and at intervals during the day to help protect your skin from the sun.
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 |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 151
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 04, 2008 - 4:07 am: | |
July 4, 2008
INSHORE:
Happy Fourth of July! Wonderful weather, lots of sunshine and some great fishing opportunities await anglers on the Indian River along the Treasure Coast. Afternoon thunderstorms have been the norm lately and it will continue to threaten the area each afternoon. It's best to plan an early trip so you can be off the water before the skies turn dark and stormy.
Snook fishing has been mostly around the inlet and flats areas. We have found some under the mangroves and chasing bait along the flats. Just remember to release them quickly and safely. Top water lures, like a Skitterwalk or DOA Bait Buster, will work at first light on the flats. Paul Reiss found several along the mangroves this week. Redfish are still on the shallow flats. Move across quietly so you don't scare them off ahead of you. Soft plastics, like a DOA shrimp or CAL jerk bait, are great choices out there. Trout action has been in a little deeper water. Top water early, followed by jerk baits or live bait will be a good choice of lures. Queen's Cove, Harbor Branch and Little Mud areas will be holding fish this month.
Tarpon have been feeding around Big Mud and the North Fork of the St Lucie River. A lot of tarpon are in the area and an early morning trip will give you the best chance at hooking up. It's usually a short bite and the earlier, the better. The Fort Pierce inlet has held glass minnows that are being chased by Spanish macks, bonito and jacks. For some great fun, give it a try. Shiny lures, spoons and jigs are good choices, but don't be afraid to change around if you aren't getting a bite. Try to match the glass minnows with your lures and you should have success. Tom Hull got spooled by one bonito and fought both fish and sharks to land the next one. I fought another for quite a while until the 8' bull shark decided it was a nice lunch. Bridges and docks have continued to hold snapper, sheephead and black drum. It's a great time of year to be fishing!
Tip of the Week: Courtesy, Patience and Common Sense are essential to enjoying a safe and fun-filled holiday. Whether it be Memorial Day, Fourth of July or Labor Day, you can have a much more enjoyable weekend if you practice these three simple concepts. These weekends are crowded holidays on the water. It all starts when you leave home and continues to the bait shops, ramps and waterways. Ramps are busy, so don't get upset or angry before you get on the water. PATIENCE! Waterways are swarmed with boats of all sizes and types. Use safe boating habits and follow the Rules of the Road. COMMON SENSE! When returning back to the ramp, expect many others to have the same idea and don't try to crowd or get ahead of others. COURTESY! Let's all have safe, friendly and especially FUN holiday weekends this year!
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 |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 150
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 - 3:19 pm: | |
June 18, 2008
INSHORE:
Summer weather patterns have sure arrived here on the Treasure Coast. Afternoon thunderstorms loom off in the west each day. We had some really good days fishing part of the week and things slowed down to a crawl on some days out there. Get out early during this time of year and work those top water lures around the bait schools for a good chance at hooking up as the sun rises off in the east.
Trout fishing has had its up and down days lately. Live pinfish or pigfish are their favorite food this time of year, but a DOA Deadly Combo is also hard to beat. Bear Point has continued to hold lots of baitfish around the point. Queen's Cove has also held its share of the bait. I like to drift or pole the flats during June to fish a larger area.
Redfish are out there and we had a couple good follows with Mark Murch, but they turned just before we could get a pickup. Look on flats that are one to three feet of water and are a softer bottom for them to be rooting around in. DOA shrimp or CAL jerk baits have worked well for redfish all year. Keep a stealthy approach to the flats or you might as well move on to another area. They be quick to leave if you make much noise at all.
We have still found snook around the flats and docks. James Hall of Bassmaster Magazine found a couple shorts with a DOA Bait Buster. Mark Murch also found a nice snook with the same Bait Buster. Remember to release them quickly and safely as they are out of season. Docks around the river will continue to hold snook. The inlet area will be have lots of them hanging around the bridges, docks and jetties this time of year.
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Mark Murch proved the DOA Bait Buster works great as a top water lure....
Spanish mackerel, bonito, jacks and ladyfish are following the glass minnows into the inlet on the incoming tide. Mangrove and mutton snapper are around the channel edges and bridges. We found schools of snapper crashing glass minnows on the flats recently. Mackerel, bluefish and whiting have been around the surf and you might find tarpon, jacks or snook in close to the beach if the bait schools are nearby.
Tip of the Week:
Drifting the flats can prove to be very effective. Let the wind or tide move you across your favorite flat. You will cover a greater area and create much less noise. Watch for the bait schools and drift along to fish them thoroughly. It's a fun and exciting way to fish. Have some fun out there soon!
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
Scott Allgood with some of the fish he caught on the Indian River....
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Spencer Hobby with a few of his fish caught on the Indian River....
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Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 149
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2008 - 5:10 pm: | |
June 12, 2008
INSHORE:
We have enjoyed some wonderful summer weather this week on the Indian River. There were some great days to be out fishing along the Treasure Coast. I had the pleasure of meeting some experienced anglers and a lot of fun out on the water. I love this time of year!
Parish and Chantel Murphy were down over the weekend and we hit the waters of the Indian River at first light. Parish topped off the day with a 26" trout and 26" redfish from the flats. Chantel had a huge trout hit her top water lure just beside the boat, but only left us a big wake as it left us quickly. The the week, I spent at the DOA Outdoor Writers Festival in Jensen Beach. Met some top notch anglers and writers from around the state of Florida. Scott Allgood and Spencer Hobby spent a day on the water and met the challenge of the shallow water flats. Scott boated three snook up to 26" and two redfish that were 26" and 31". Spencer showed his skills by catching a 20" gag grouper and two trout of 23" and 26" for the day. We had a short day with James Hall and Mark King and managed a few short snook and some angry jack crevalle in a few short hours on the water. We used all DOA Lures and proved they produce fish! It was a fantastic week out there! Look for some of the photos on next weeks report.
Some large trout have been holding on the grass flats. Bear Point, Queen's Cove and Harbor Branch have been productive. Try a DOA Deadly Combo for some good trout action. Spencer worked one with a glow shrimp for his two gator trout. Parish hooked up with his on a DOA CAL jig head with a jerk bait for his gator.
There are still some small redfish schools cruising around the area. We landed two reds on top water this week. Parish had one inhale a Skitterwalk and Scott with his ever faithful DOA Bait Buster proved they would eat one also. Look in the shallows and you might see a few tailing on the flats. Stealth is a must this time of year. Soft plastics on the flats can work great this time of year.
We found some snook holding around some of the docks and mangroves this week. James nailed a couple of shorts and Scott landed three.....all on DOA Bait Busters! Remember...snook season is closed, so get a quick photo and release them safely.
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Shane Barber sent in this photo of a 90 pound black grouper caught by himself and buddy, Tim off the West End, Bahams in 650 ft of water.
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Parish Murphy with a sweet 26" gator trout caught on a soft plastic DOA jerk bait....
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Parish Murphy with a 26" redfish caught on a Skitterwalk at first light on the Indian River...
Lots of mutton and lane snapper on the river. We found schools of snapper feeding on the glass minnows. You can find lots of snapper along the channel edges and all the Spanish mackerel and Bonita you want around the inlet on the incoming tides. The beaches have held tarpon around the bait schools along with mackerel, bluefish and jacks.
Tip of the Week: Think about slowing down your ride with the price of gasoline. Running slower can save a lot of gas in a years time and will only keep you from those fishing spots for a few minutes longer. Keep your motor tuned each year and change your spark plugs several time a year to keep your engine running efficiently. The gas prices will only keep going up and you can save some money by managing your trips. Plan your trips to minimize traveling whenever you can. Slow down a little and save some money!
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 |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 148
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 05, 2008 - 3:17 pm: | |
June 5, 2008
INSHORE:
What a fantastic weekend to fish the Indian River. Mild winds and warm temperatures found us on the flats in search of my favorite fish......Redfish! I love to sight fish when the weather allows and the fish sure cooperated this weekend for us. Looks like we are in for the same conditions going into the weekend with mild winds and hot temperatures. Hope you get a chance to get out there soon.
I had the pleasure to have Sid and Jenny Ramchandran on the boat this past week. Shane Barber was out with me on saturday to celebrate his birthday on the water. Jenny hadn't fished in a while and was taking a break from taking care of their children. It didn't take her very long to get back her fishing skills. Before the day was done, she had boated three upper slot redfish and a 26" trout to make for a great day on the water. Sid was all smiles for her, even though she did out fish him a little. We found a large school of redfish feeding on the flats and they stayed long enough for us that day.
[IMG]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a378/captaincharlie/LillianMay200800 5Small.jpg[/IMG]
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Jenny with her three redfish that ranged from 26" to 28".
Shane Barber was on the boat when we again found a large school of redfish working their way across the flats towards us. He was on as soon as the school reached us. We ended up the day with Shane catching five redfish from 26" to 29 1/2". We had several others hooked up before they got off. It was another great day of fishing on the Indian River! All our redfish were caught on either live bait or DOA CAL jerk baits this week. The fish are shallow, so keeping quiet and moving slowly is extremely important to your success. We had some even swim under the boat with Sid and Jenny. Round Island and Queen's Cove have had some reds feeding on the flats this past week.
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Shane with three of his five redfish to celebrate his birthday!
Snook fishing has slowed down mostly due to the season closing. There are some huge over slots on the flats that are hiding very shallow. Live bait will most likely be the best way to have a chance at hooking up with Mr. Snook. Remember to handle them carefully and get them back into the water quickly. It's catch, photo and release time again.
Trout fishing has continued to produce some big gators around the river. Top water in the morning can give you a good chance at one this time of year. Live pigfish or pinfish are the top choices of bait for trout during the summer months. Look for some around Queen's Cove, Bear Point and Harbor Branch. DOA CAL jerk baits in lighter colors have also worked this week on the trout.
Snapper around the bridges and channels have been providing anglers with some good keepers. Spanish mackerel are all over the inlet and turning basin. We saw some good sized ones chasing bait this week. They move quickly so plan on moving around the inlet often to catch them. There are still bluefish around the river and beaches. Whiting in the surf along with jacks, macks and blues to keep you busy. It's a great time of year to fish the Treasure Coast.
Tip of the Week:
Hot temperatures are here! Keep plenty of water on the boat to keep yourself hydrated this summer. Heat stroke can happen at any time and a good way to help prevent overheating yourself is with plenty of fluids. Stay safe and healthy on the water this summer!
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 |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 147
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 3:58 pm: | |
May 29, 2008
INSHORE:
Summer has surely arrived here on the Treasure Coast. Temperatures in the nineties and afternoon rains this past week are good signs of that! We had some fun out on the water this week. Seen lots of fish and caught a few trophies to show off. It was some great weather and the winds have finally slowed down to allow fishing areas that have been hard to reach lately. The fish are out there and it's a great time of year to fish the Indian River.
I had the pleasure to meet some great people this week and renew friendships with a few also. Chad and Jessica Wenger were visiting from Pennsylvania this week and we had some fun on the water. Lillian and Wayne Foisey were down from Long Island to enjoy a scenic tour of the area. Wayne and I fished the next day. Jessica ended up being the angler of the week though!
[IMG]http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a378/captaincharlie/FishingMay200800 1Small-1.jpg[/IMG]
Jessica Wenger showing off her 28" gator trout caught on a Rapala Skitterwalk as the sun was rising over the Indian River in Fort Pierce.
Trout fishing has continued flourish on the flats from one to four feet of water. We had a number of hits on top water, but Jessica landed a fat 28" gator trout on a Skitterwalk just after sunrise. Top water is always exciting, but this one totally inhaled her chartreuse lure. Even though it put up a good fight...it wasn't enough to win the battle with Jessica. Early morning try Queen's Cove, Round Island and down anywhere south to the Power Plant. Look for the sand holes to find them lurking.
We saw a good many redfish in a foot of water this week. Wayne had one follow his bait to the boat, only to change its mind at the last second. We drifted up on several reds with Chad and Jessica. Jessica was first to put a pinfish near one of them. After a couple long runs, she landed a 27" redfish to add to her catch. We were cut short when another boat decided they had to fish that area after they saw our results. Live or cut bait along with DOA CAL grubs or jerk baits (rootbeer or new penny colors) are the best choices for a chance at an upper slot redfish.
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Jessica later caught this 27" redfish on the shallow flats on a live pinfish.
Snook fishing has entered its last weekend for keepers. After Saturday night, it will be only catch and release. We have found many large snook feeding on the flats. Wayne found one large snook swim up to his bait, but again, change its mind. Live bait, top water or DOA CAL jerk baits are great choices on the flats. Look for the deeper holes for the big boys to be holding up and waiting for a quick meal to drift by.
The inlet has been boiling with Spanish mackerel. Shiny lures worked very fast can give you some quick action. The catwalks have been pretty quiet this week. The surf can hold whiting, mackerel, bluefish and even some snook. Jetties have jacks, bluefish and mackerel feeding on the tides there. Lots of bait around the river, so fish the bait pods....especially if they are nervous or being crashed.
Tip of the Week: Probably the most exciting fishing that I enjoy is sight fishing. We are entering the time of year that you can really have some fun out on the river. Keeping quietly across the flats can give you the opportunity to get some great sight casting opportunities. Jessica was a wonderful example as she cast to several redfish that were just a yards in front of the boat. Wayne watched a redfish swim within a few feet of the boat while giving chase to his bait. It's great fun and can be very rewarding!
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 |
Capt. Charlie Conner (Fish_tales_charters)
New member
Username: Fish_tales_charters
Post Number: 146
Registered: 5-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 5:56 am: | |
May 23, 2008
INSHORE:
Someone forgot to tell Mother Nature that it was May and not March! We continue to see windy days and finally got some rain to help the area a little. We ended up braving some challenging conditions on some days and ended up getting wet one of those days. This weather will continue for now and at least we will have a chance at rain showers most afternoons to try and green up the grass a little. The river has remained clean in spite of the winds.
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Sandy Langler holding a 26" gator trout he caught on the grass flats with brother, Todd admiring his catch...
Mike McCann and his son, simply known as "L", were down and we fought some windy weather to get a chance at some fish. Mike's son ended up with a big ladyfish and lost a slot redfish to end a blustery day. He is gonna be a great fisherman! Nick Palladino and Mick Howells were up to fish this week, and we found a few places that were fishable. Mick found a 25" snook under one of the Fort Pierce docks and Nick boated a nice trout later in the day. Our day was cut a little short after some thunderclouds surrounded us. Sandy and Todd Langler stopped by the area this week to fish. We missed a number of good hits before Sandy boated a 26" gator trout. They also boated several mangrove snapper before the day was done. It was a tough week to try and beat the wind, but we did have some great fun out there trying!
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LJ holding a ladyfish he caught while fishing the Indian River this week...
Live pinfish and pigfish have done well this week. Shrimp bought out the cats, jacks and pins around the flats. The river is loaded down with baitfish just about everywhere we have fished. The predators have been on the flats giving chase. It has been hard to spot redfish lately, but they are out there. As we finally get to summer conditions, look for sight fishing to greatly improve. We fished from Round Island to south of Bear Point this week. Try around the docks and grass flats to the south and Queen's Cove to the north.
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Nick Palladino found this seatrout along the flats of the Indian River....
The inlet was boiling with Spanish mackerel this week and that means bluefish and jacks as well. Remember that snook fishing is almost over.....May 31st is the last day. The bridges have been on the slow side of late. We should see a surge in fishing this last weekend of snook season. The beaches have held some pompano, bluefish, mackerel and whiting for those anglers. Just off the beaches have held some kings, permit and bonita. The jetties have been producing jacks and bluefish mostly. Looking forward to next weeks fishing adventures!
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Mick Howells found this 25" snook hiding under a Fort Pierce dock....
Tip of the Week: Take a few minutes one day and check out your First Aid Kit. At some point during the year it will be used for cuts, scrapes and assorted mishaps aboard the boat. Check out the contents and replenish any items that are missing, old or low in quantities. If you don't have one......it is a good idea to get one. Accidents can happen anytime and it pays to have the equipment to handle most situations that might occur.
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 |
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