Captain Bob Bushholz
Jensen Beach, Florida
(772) 225-6436
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ALL YEAR LONG!!!!' | | Fishing Report for
December 1st, 2006
"Fishing in December"
Cannot believe it's
December already. The inland waters have really cleaned up nicely with
green water west of the ten cent bridge. Water temps remain in the low
70's and with a cold front or two should drop it down into the 60's.
Trout season remains closed till the new year and snook closes December
15th - January 31st. Pompano remains 11 inch min to the fork , 6 per
person. Finally Spanish Mackerel are 12 inches to the fork and 15 per
person. All bait shops carry some form of regulations. It's important
knowing what is legal to keep not only to ensure future fish populations
but will also avoid stiff fines handed down to you.
Starting north on the Indian River around the power plant, look for
trout, redfish, snook, up tight near the shoreline in the early morning.
This is a great time to break out those topwater plugs. Both sides of the
river will hold fish. When the wind blows, fishing the calm side normally
holds more baitfish and more trout. However if you target snook, try fishing
the choppy side throwing a half ounce redtail hawk working it fast. After
9:00 am fish the 3-4 foot zone as these fish will drop back to deeper water.
DOA and Gulp, live shrimp, gold spoons work great. Also look for other
species to appear including ladyfish, pompano, bluefish, flounder, jacks and
a host of others. Remember when the temperatures drop, some species become
sluggish so slow down your presentation!!!
Area bridges hold snook, black drum, mangrove snapper, sheephead and
goliath grouper down deep. Live or frozen shrimp, live pinfish and
bullethead jigs work great. Most snook have vacated the inlet by now holding
near structure. Great time for flair hawks at night targeting theses
linesiders on the Indian River bridges. In the St. Lucie I like to mix it up
with DOA rootbeer terrorize or jointed bombers. Pompano fever begins lasting
into late March. With the new quarter bridge unfishable, landlocked anglers
head to the Jensen Causeway throwing nylure jigs, banana jigs and sand
fleas. Normally the last 3 hours of incoming tide is best with cleaner water
around. Both catwalks and the smaller mosquito bridge just east attracts the
"pompano brigade" in the winter.
We spend lot's of time in the winter and spring in the Sailfish Flats
near the House of Refuge. This area can hold tons of leaping ladyfish along
with pompano and bluefish in the open areas. This is a great place to fish
when the wind blows. Closer to the spoil islands in the shallow flats, snook,
trout and redfish are a possibility. Numerous docks along the east shoreline
hold snapper and sheephead. Further south, the St. Lucie Inlet is a great
place to fish. Aboard Catch 22, we drift along with the swift current
bouncing live shrimp, Gulfsream redfish jigs and Joe's jigging spoons along
the bottom. The inlet holds so many species, you never know what's gonna
hit. Many pompano fishermen will anchor up with sand flea rigs along
Sailfish Point and the crossroads area on incoming tide. These pompano like
clean water and incoming is always cleaner.
As you round the bend south of Sewell's Point heading up the St. Lucie
river, Hell's Gate and docks also Sewell's Point deserve a look. Pompano,
ladyfish and mackerel rule here in the winter. At the ten cent bridge,
livebait or casting and trolling bombers will attract snook. Also some large
goliath grouper are more than willing to inhale a livebait. Along the bottom
with rubber or live shrimp expect black drum, snapper, weakfish, flounder
and croakers. A few weeks ago we released a four pound croaker. Most drum
are running about 5 pounds.
Finally, outside this is the time to start heading out to Peck's Lake
for the annual Spanish Mackerel bite. Troll, anchor, or drift it doesn't
matter. Popular rigs are 6-12 pound spinners throwing silver spoons, tube
lures, Gulfstream flash minnows and shrimp tipped jigs. I myself prefer
Joe's jigging spoons. They slow troll and cast great. The best thing is they
hold up nicely to these toothy critters. We use 8 inches of # 3 wire for
leader. Many boats anchor up tossing glass minnow chum. Some anglers fly
fish. When the macs are running they will pound just about anything. Some
days it gets quite crowded in this area so bring your patience and have fun
out there!!!
Capt. Bob Bushholz
(772) 225-6436
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