BEST BET

Henry Caimotto from the Snook Nook Bait and Tackle in Jensen Beach reported Spanish mackerel is almost as thick as the fishermen in boats that are targeting them in Peck’s Lake. Anchoring in the area and chumming with glass minutes has quickly produced 15 fish limits in no time. Spanish mackerel, bluefish, pompano and whiting are being caught along the beaches with the best action taking place early in the day. In 150 feet of water sailfish and dolphins have been available in good numbers. Inshore fishermen working the Indian River are catching large sea trout in four to six feet of water and lots of redfish along the shallow mangrove shorelines and flats.

MIAMI DADE/

BROWARD

Captain Dave Kostyo of Knot Nancy Fishing Charters reported tarpon are active at night around the bridges in the Intra Coastal Waterways. Fishing large live shrimps with floats on the outgoing tides after the sun sets is a sure way to get into these mid-size tarpon. Offshore when the conditions have been right his anglers are doing well on dolphins and a few kingfish. Nick Conomos from Anglins Pier on Commercial Boulevard reported plenty of lesser amberjacks, a few Spanish mackerel and some nice mutton and mangrove snappers have made it over the rail during the daytime. During the night lots of bluefish are being caught on the bottom with cut bait.

KEYS

Captain Bill Hauck from the party boat Sea King out of Marathon reported steady catches of yellowtails and groupers continue to come over the rail. The best action is coming off the reefs and rubble piles in depths from 80 to 120 feet of water. Along with the bottom fish kingfish and cero mackerel are being caught in the chum line. Captain Rick Stanczyk out of Bud N’ Mary’s Marina in Islamorada reported working the backcountry of Florida Bay with live shrimp on the bottom his clients are catching large sheepshead, black drum and redfish. Out in the open water of Florida Bay Spanish mackerel continue to thrill his anglers that are casting live shrimp on jigs. During a half day charter locals Alec Rosen, Joao Ribeiro Sr. and Joao Ribeiro Jr. landed limits of mangrove snapper and 30 Spanish mackerel using live shrimp for bait. Captain Chris Johnson from the charter boat SeaSquared out of Marathon guided the trio to their catch.

TREASURE COAST

Captain Charlie Conner of FishTales Charters out of Port St. Lucie reported plenty of sheepshead is biting in the Indian River. Working pilings, hard bottom and mangrove tree shorelines with shrimp and clams is the best way to get the sheepshead. Working the grass flats in four to six feet of water is producing all the sea trout, jacks and ladyfish anglers want. Live shrimp under a float, jigs with soft plastics and artificial lures are getting the sea trout strikes. Gag groupers are being caught over hard bottom structure and pompano fishing has slowed.

FLORIDA BAY

Captain Jim Hobales of Caught Lookin Charters reported finding plenty of slot size redfish, sheepshead and some nice snook in the channels of Florida Bay. Casting shrimp on floats and jig heads in mullet muds his anglers have had steady action. Working the open water grass flats just west of the Flamingo Marina you can find all of the sea trout, jacks and ladyfish you care to catch.

SOUTHWEST COAST

Captain Butch Rickey of BarHoppe’R Kayak Fishing Charters out of Pine Island Sound reported working the pot holes on a low tide in Pine Island Sound his anglers are having no trouble filling their sea trout limits with fish to 20 inches. Working the shallow flats on the rising tides he has been catching plenty of redfish plus a few flounder using soft plastics on jigs.

FRESHWATER

Captain Pat Stevens from Slim’s Fishing Camp in Belle Glade reported the speckled perch fishing is red hot. The speckled perch are eating minnows at night and minnows and jigs during the daytime. Look for the speckled perch along all of the shorelines, Tree Island, Whitie’s Hole and Houseboat Cut. Largemouth bass have moved up into heavy coverage where they are bedding in the areas of Ritta Island and Pelican Bay. Pitching jigs and soft plastics into the cover is what it takes to get to the bass. Lots of catfish can be caught in the Rim canal on live worms.

Capt. Alan Sherman

shermana@bellsouth.net