Captain Bob Bushholz
Jensen Beach, Florida
(772) 225-6436
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ALL YEAR LONG!!!!' | | Fishing Report for
September 28th, 2002
"October Forecast"
October is here bringing along a few changes,
both in weather and fishing possibilities. The St. Lucie River, Indian
River Lagoon and coastal waters have taken a beating since early June in
water quality. June started it off with over 20" of rain, forcing our
Water Management to start releases, first from the St. Lucie Canals and
then from Lake Okeechobee itself. I personally avoided the entire St.
Lucie Inlet area all summer long, fishing north of the Jensen Beach
Causeway where the water quality received a "C" grade compared
to an "F-" southward. It was simply too depressing. If you want
to make a difference, there's a new group forming locally called the
Indian "Riverkeepers". This independent group is run by the
people, for the people. They will have their own labs and attorneys
tracking down sources of water pollution and pursue the perpetrators,
holding them personally responsible. It sounds like a great idea with
people who are committed to preserving our water resources and hopefully
will make a big difference. Anyone that is interested should give Kevin
Stinnette a call at 772-336-7284 for more information. We also have a new
Commissioner in Martin County - Sarah Heard. She talked a nice platform,
but let see if she really cares about our area's resources and whether or
not she'll stand up to the "powers that be". By the time of this
publication, her telephone number should be published and everyone needs
to take a minute to call her to make her aware of your water quality
issues. This is the time to reach all newly elected officials before they
get caught up in the "old school" mainstream.
On to fishing----Starting in the River, mullet will still be around,
bringing with them predators of all species. Redfish, trout, snook, jacks
and tarpon will be having a field day on huge schools of baitfish.
Normally we see an increase this time of year with northeast winds driving
the majority of baitfish to the calmer east side of the Indian River. Look
for large bait schools and cast just outside of the schools throwing your
favorite lure or live bait. Lures should "match the hatch".
Black and silver is the color of choice. DOA baitbusters and swimming
mullet, Yozuri crystal minnows, and Gag's Mini Mambos are a few that
deserve mentioning. If fishing with live mullet, try trimming ½" off
the tail with a pair of scissors which forces the mullet to swim
erratically, thus drawing more attention as a wounded bait rather than
just blending in with the school. When wading or fishing open areas the
best tackle is a 12-lb. mainline with a 2' 40-lb. fluoro-carbon leader
with live bait and a circle hook. Apply the hook near the top dorsal for
topwater or hook them in the tail, which forces them to swim deep and away
from the angler. Circle hooks work great as long as you remember not to
attempt to set the hook. Simply reel slowly to allow a perfect hook-up.
Area bridges will hold big snook, so beef it up to 20-50 lb. mainline
with 80 lb. leader. These fish need to be turned quickly to avoid those
guaranteed break-offs when they head for structure. Pompano should be
showing up in the grass flats and near bridges. In the flats, Gulfstream
shrimp or redfish jigs tipped with a small piece of shrimp work well,
bouncing or dragging along the bottom. South of the Stuart Causeway the
last three hours of incoming tide is the best. Pompano like clean water
and that's where they will be found. From bridges nothing beats a nylure
jig. Just vertical jig it with a slow retrieve bouncing on the bottom.
Where there are crowds of anglers bunched up on the southwest side of the
Quarter Bridge, it's a sure bet the pompano are in and biting. The
tripletail action slows down on channel markers until spring, but look for
an increase in sheephead and flounder.
In the surf, bluefish and Spanish mackerel can be caught casting
silver spoons or bottom fishing with cut bait. Whiting and croaker are at
your toes in the first trough and respond well to light tackle using
shrimp or squid. Break out the 14' rods, long-casting for pompano.
Sandfleas on triple kayle rigs work best. Remember, two rods per person in
Martin County is the limit. St. Lucie County north allows a 4-rod max.
There will still be mullet cruising along shore, so look for tarpon and
snook to be in hot pursuit. When you see the mullet school, cast out
diagonally, working the first trough area. The results can be some
rod-bending excitement.
Offshore, the sailfish bite should be good with plenty of large
residents still around and hitting on live greenies and sardines. Kingfish
and cobia should appear in around 40' with wahoo and dolphin a good
possibility chasing trolled ballyhoo. In closer near Peck's Lake (2 miles
south of St. Lucie Inlet), look for Spanish mackerel. Silver spoons, glass
minnow lures and tube lures always seem to attract their attention. Of
course they won't turn down a shrimp tipped jig either. If it shines,
they'll hit it. Line weight max should be 12 lb., with a 30 lb. mono
leader produces lots of action, but expect to lose a few rigs to those
toothy critters. You can also try an 8" thin steel leader which
minimizes cutoffs, but the visibility of the leader also minimizes the
hookups.
Looking back over the past few years, our water quality has bounced
back around this time, but we also weren't faced with the major fresh
water releases that began in early September. Hopefully history will
repeat itself and Mother Nature gets a chance to recover. If left alone
she always seems to rebound. Our ecosystem each year is stressed to the
max with the water releases. Whether it's making a living or fishing
recreationally, we deserve better, so make a difference and get involved
with " Indian Riverkeepers".
Tight Lines,
Capt. Bob
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