When a plan comes together

Today’s charter was not so much about the extraordinary, but more about what we expect to find on a nice day on the water in Stuart, Florida.  We chose an early start in order to meet the customer’s schedule and avoid the Sunday madhouse at the ramp.  It was cool until the sun got through the offshore cloud deck but then we could run with general comfort and because seas were down, we headed out the inlet to look for action.  The usual  herd of boats was meandering incessantly looking to catch the few bait available where one one boat picked up two on his Sabiki rig.  We didn’t go there; not a live bait day.
Near shore was the plan and we worked the reef in search of rod benders.  Bluefish, Blue Runners, Jacks and Spanish Mackerel were all there to give us a game as the natural drift pushed us along the reef in clear water.  We saw far more fish than we caught.  Spanish Mackerel were plentiful, but not willing to eat what ever we offered.  The commercial boats seemed to be successful mostly with nets.  The flotilla of boats chasing them wandered constantly, like a hungry pack of wolves, as they searched for willing fish, but we saw no evidence that they were successful.  When they hit the shallow reef, they seamed to finally stop as they began catching Bluefish and Blue Runners.  We had been enjoying the same catch until they overtook our position.  We moved to another part of the reef and consequently found some bigger fish. 
So we spent nearly 4 hours fishing successfully, enjoying the day and the scenery and the weather.  We weren’t jumping Sailfish or Tarpon or fighting slot Snook, but we were enjoying what the weather and the water had to offer us on a Sunny Winter Florida day.  And it was good.  I think they’ll be back.

First Meeting

A great experience when young Snook meets young Man for the first time.  Fished around quite a bit looking for this guy but finally met up by the end of the trip.  The water is fairly chilly at 61 and the wind kept us from effectively working some of the best spots, but these waters are full of Snook and they’re available to those with the right tools to catch them.  As usual, on my boat, this one was seduced by a DOA shrimp.  At 21 inches and well out of the slot this one when back to the water quickly after the picture as all others must until September.

Wintertime Action

Fishing during the Winter months on the Treasure Coast is more active than you might think.  The big fish, Tarpon, Snook and Jacks are less active but hard fighting schooling fish like Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Ladyfish and Pompano are around in large numbers.  If we can get to the fish, we can usually catch plenty.  All are great fighters and can generally be found in predictable locations.  Wind is the primary adversary as rain seldom interferes during winter months.

That’s not all.  Snook are around, of course, but most are less active and need some considerable effort to catch.  And don’t forget that season is closed until this fall.  If the water warms up, however, the Snook action will pick up as well.  Trout can be found on the flats and nearby troughs and holes when the sun gets high and winds are low.   Redfish are in the waters north of the power plant but not so much around Stuart.