Captain Bob Bushholz
Jensen Beach, Florida
(772) 225-6436
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ALL YEAR LONG!!!!' | | Fishing Report for
April 11th, 2003
"April Forecast"
April is a
transition month with winter pompano, Spanish mackerel and bluefish on
their way out, bringing an increase of baitfish inshore with tarpon and
snook hot on their tails. Water temperatures both inshore and offshore
will continue to rise - “summer’s not far behind”.
Offshore, look for cobia still hanging around inside 100 feet deep around
wrecks. With more east winds around, weed lines begin to form making the area
prime for you dolphin fans. Look for a strong dolphin run in late April or
early May with fish migrating north from the Keys. You cannot go wrong with
trolled ballyhoo, allowing coverage of more ground than drifting live baits.
The kingfish bit should be good in the 40-60 ft. range using greenies,
sardines or dragging dead baits. There’s still a need a watch the weather in
April due to traditionally strong east winds from time to time. Bottom
fishing is always good in April (someone once told me never say “never” and
don’t ever say “always”, but year after year it’s proven to be so.
In the surf, the biggest bluefish of the year will be terrorizing
everything that moves. Look for fish over 12 lbs. both in the surf and
inshore. Spoons, plugs, poppers and cut bait on the bottom seem to attract
the most attention. Blues are excellent sport fish providing screaming runs
on light tackles. There are still a few pompano around (mostly far away from
the bluefish). Sand fleas still rule in the surf. Snook and tarpon will be
cruising in the first trough, mainly in the dark hours near sunrise and
sunset. Live baits, soft rubber or lipped lures work great! Windcheaters
work extremely well when its blowing out of the east.
Inside, look for a definite increase in baitfish. Small greenies can be
found right off the Stuart Causeway boat ramps with bunker under the quarter
bridge at night fleeing from large tarpon just outside the shadow lines.
Mullet will be cruising in the shallow grass flats. From the bridges , snook
are still banging flair hawks along the bottom along with shrimp and mullet.
Get those baits deep!!!
The trout bite is good in April with many fish under 18” around. Look
towards the east side of the river near Herman’s Bay if the wind picks up.
Otherwise, the west side should be hot with trout, snook and reds. This area
along Indian River Drive should produce a fair number of inshore slams.
Tripletail season swings into full gear with most of them within 30 feet
of channel markers and bridges. Live shrimp on a trollrite or DOA CAL and
terrorize are my favorites and seem to be the tripletail’s favorites too.
This morning’s trip proved very “hot” with the largest at 24 lbs. I encourage
releasing any fish that’s not dinner for the night, but especially the ones
over l2 lbs., insuring a population for the future. The minimum is 15” with
2 per angler.
Tarpon mania is underway, with fish at the normal spots (just outside the
channel south of the quarter bridge to marker 239, IRP channel, Club Med and
outside Big and Little Mud Creeks). Don’t overlook the grass flats. There
will be tarpon well over 100 lbs. tracking bait schools. Drifting live baits
or sight casting with DOA silver and black baitbusters or rootbeer terrorize
will hook you up!!
New fish pictures now on website.
The days are getting longer, so get out there and fish!!!
Capt. Bob Bushholz
(772) 225-6436
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