Back to Back Slams--and a Boat Grand Slam!! Two fishing reports

Hi,

Long time, not many posts. I've been fishing some in the lagoon and catching small snook, trout, jacks and ladyfish-- the usual suspects.

My best fishing days continue to be with my fishing buddy Jim Bohrer, president of the Stuart Rod and Reel Club. on Tuesday and Thursday I got an inshore slam (trout, redfish and snook). On Tuesday the boat (Jim and I combined) got a grand slam (tarpon, snook, trout and redfish).

Here's two reports with a couple pics.

Fishing report Tuesday August 23, 7:00am fishing in Jim's boat; Vero Beach lagoon, low tide, then incoming. I was fishing topwater, skitterwalk, then 1/16 oz jig with various paddletails, mostly white. jim was fishing mostly jig with Cal/white and Berkley shrimp. Not much wind, west then north then East. Water temp, upper 80s air temp low 90s- hot!!

We started fishing on the West side near a deeper channel, Jim caught a mutton snapper, it was not 16" so he threw it back (I've been keeping some snappers to eat and occasionally a trout or two- if they're gut hooked). We moved to a grassy flat still on the west side. I caught an 18" trout on my Skitterwalk and after a few more strike caught another 18" trout topwater -who swallowed the treble hook, so I kept him. Jim caught a nice trout on a jig and missed a couple on topwater.

It was slow on the next drift no fish- we tried drifting in shallower but no luck so we moved North past Peck's Cove and fished the west side. We drifted South fishing for redfish near the shore and I caught two trout on a jig and Jim caught one trout. I pointed out some fish feeding South off a point and eventually the wind blew us over to them. You could hear the pop, pop, of snook feeding all around us- the water was shallow- only 18" deep. First cast I caught a snook, next cast I caught another. My line got tangled when I released him. Meanwhile Jim caught a small snook and then a nice 12 lb tarpon on a gold redfish spoon who jumped 4 or 5 times before getting off at the boat. I couldn't get untangled so I threw my topwater- a snook missed-- then Jim caught another tarpon about 9 lbs. This tarpon jumped several times and also got off at the boat.

I couldn't get a snook or tarpon to take my Skitterwalk so I got my jig untangled and caught a 4 lb snook (about 27"), my biggest of the day. The feeding fish started to move north. They were gone.  The feeders were hitting small mullet and schools of glass minnows. we went north and drifted back towards the cove. Suddenly the trout moved in, feeding on schools of bait fish. We both started catching trout- not on every cast but we had 7 doubles (trout on at the same time) in the next 20 minutes. After an hour of drifting in that area we had 50 more trout-- and mangrove snappers--and one more snook.

We had 55 trout, 7 snook, and 2 tarpon-- but no redfish. No slam or grand slam. So we started fishing the shallow areas around the mangroves for redfish. An hour later 1 got a hit on my jig-- it was a small redfish and I got it in. Jim took a picture:


Small Redfish that gave me a slam and the boat a grandslam.

We drifted along the shoreline casting jigs. Finally I had a big fish on and I assumed it was a slot snook. It pulled drag twice and ran around the back of the boat. Jim was giving me advice (or whatever you'd call it :) and I finally saw the fish-- it was a big trout. The only problem was the wind had blown us nearly into the mangroves. The fish was finally tired but Jim had to run the trolling motor to get us away from shore. I lipped him myself and lifted him over the side- he was around 8 pounds (I weighted him quickly) and over 28" probably my second biggest trout. Jim took a few pics:

                            8 lb trout around 28" my biggest of the day. (click to enlarge)

We went back to the trout hotspot and caught a few more trout and snapper but that was about it- too hot (92) to fish much more-- we fished a spot on the way back and Jim caught a bluefish and we called it a day.

Our totals: 60 trout, one about 8 lbs; 2 small tarpon, 7 snook one about 4 lbs; 1 small redfish; a bunch of snapper; 1 bluefish; and a couple jack and ladyfish.

--------------------------

Fishing Report Thursday August 25, 7:00am put in at round Island on East side. Heavy wind and rain predicted. Water temp upper 80s air temp 80s tide out going then incoming. We started fishing jigs around the  mangroves for redfish on the east side. We came to some bait and Jim caught a jack, and while he had that on I hooked a nice redfish. Jim took a pic:

                                                     My redfish (click to enlarge)

There was alot of bait around and when I cast deep I caught a trout and lost another trout. In 20 minutes all I needed was a snook for a slam. I started casting the mangroves for a snook. We worked north along the east shore line- there was bait but no snook. We moved into a cove and finally on a point I caught a small snook for my slam. The wind was bad but the tide was very low. I started fishing topwater. I immediately got some action and caught a trout, lost two trout and had a big trout leap in the air with my Skitterwalk but I missed her. The wind blew us away from the trout and we caught two jacks, Jim got a trout and I caught a 5 lb bluefish that put up quite a fight.

We finally headed to the west side and caught a few more trout, and a bunch of snapper (I kept a few for dinner). It was windy but fishable and I caught a nice snook along the shore line. Jim caught a couple trout and I caught one before a big storm moved in. we move south to Peck's Cove to get out of the way. Then it happened-- Jim's trolling motor went dead (low battery) with it extended 2 feet in the water!!! We could drive the boat but the trolling motor would not come up. We headed back into a big rain storm and got soaked. Jim turned the trolling motor baclk on and there was enough juice to pull it up- so we started fishing- in the rain!!

We were in Starvation cove drifting in a steady rain and I caught two nice trout topwater in the pouring rain and Jim caught as good snook and I also caught a snook. After two drifts we headed home.

Out totals: I had a slam; 5 trout, 3 snook, 1 redfish, 1 bluefish a bunch of snapper, a couple jack and ladyfish and 2 catfish. Jim caught 6 trout, 1 snook, and a bunch of snapper.

Topwater Tips for Trout

Hi,

You make a long cast. You twitch your top water plug twice. The water boils-- one more twitch and a gator trout explodes out of the water with your plug under his fangs. Fish on!!!

[photo of author with a 30" nine pound trout caught top-water]

There's nothing more exciting than catching trout top water-- it's a heart pounding experience. I've been fishing mostly top water for speckled-trout the last month. Here are some tips to get started: 

Your Gear: A seven-foot spinning rod and reel combo spooled with 6-10 lb white-braided line. Set the drag medium to light. You want to play the trout without ripping the lure out of his mouth.

Your Set Up: Tie a two-foot mono or fluorocarbon leader (20 or 30 lb tied with double uni knot) to your braided line. The lure is tied to mono/fluoro with a loop knot which allows better lure movement.

Your Lures: 1) Poppers (MirrOlure She-Dog); 2) Zara Spook type lures (Rappala's Skitterwalk; MirrOlure Floating Paul Brown) ; 3) Prop-type lures (Heddon's Torpedo, Slush Daddy, Devil's Horse) 4)  floating plastics. Some lures have thin treble hooks- you can change them out or check the hooks after each fish- a big fish can straighten out a hook. Lighter lures (small topwaters and plastics) can't be cast as far and it's easier to spook the fish when making short casts.

Your Technique: Make long casts, give the lure action, allow the lure to stop, try a slower retrieve. Wait until you feel the fish before hookset and retrieve. Do not give hard hook-set. After setting the hook, keep your rod tip low near the water and use a steady retrieve with light drag.

From June to July I've been catching top water trout in the lagoon. My best day I caught a dozen trout with six trout over 23" and one just under a whopping 30".  These six trout in the 4-9 pound range were all in the same area and I lost a bigger one on the hookset!!! When you fish topwater the trout are going to miss the lure and getting a good hookset is not easy-- that's the exciting aspect of fishing topwater. You get some terrific strikes but the fish misses the lure.

Because the fish will miss the lure do not jerk the lure or try to set the hook until you feel the fish on. Once the trout strikes and misses if the lure is still there, it will strike again. I've has six strikes in a row by a hungry trout and never got a hookset! Sometimes they'll knock the lure in the air. Remember a feeding trout has friends nearby. Sometimes there will be three or four trout trying to get your lure. If you get a strike and the fish misses leave the lure sit for a couple seconds, if they don't hit it again twitch it once, then wait. Then continue if nothing happens.

The common advice you get about when to fish a top water is morning or evening in low-light but the best time to fish a topwater is: all day! Here are some factors that give you an edge:

1) Fish when the tide is moving. My favorite time is the last half of out-going first half of the incoming.
2) Fish in an area where's there's bait. It easy when you see schools of mullet splashing the surface. Sometimes a few pelicans or an egret standing on the shore will tell you there's bait around when you can see it.
3) Fish in shallow water. How shallow? A fish in two feet of water will notice your lure. I like fishing in less than 4 feet of water.
4) Fish in the right areas. Cast over weeds and along weed edges, around and under structure or piers. Sometimes a slight depression in the bottom or a hole in the sand will hold a trout sitting on the bottom out of the current. Fish shallow ridges, sand cuts, drop-offs and any potential ambush points.
5) Retrieve in the direction of the current, if there's not much current in the direction of the wind. Trout will face in the direction of the current or wind and wait for the bait to come to it.

My favorite top waters are Zara Spook and lately a Skitterwalk. With both of these lure you need to get the lure to go from side to side by twitching the rod tip twice then reeling. twitch; twitch; reel. The Skitterwalk splashes more but is erratic and harder to get hook-ups on.

Nice trout on Skitterwalk (photo)

Although I've caught some small under-slot trout on top water it's definitely a big-fish technique. There's nothing finer than having a monster trout slam your lure and sky in the air.

World Record Trout: June 2016

Hi,

There are two IGFA record's for Spotted Sea Trout, one is weight and one is length. The "length" record is a new record which is intended to promote catch-and-release. The weight record is 17 7/16 pounds from Fort Pierce, Florida, in 1995 by Craig F. Carson.

                                             Luke Ledbetter with his record trout

The new length record is 34.25 inches by Luke Ledbetter of Alabama on a boat guided by Captain Peter Deeks of Merritt Island. It was caught in the Lagoon in the Melbourne area on live bait. Deeks estimated the weight to be over 14 lbs.

The question is: how many more big trout are swimming around from Fort Pierce to Melbourne. There have got to be a few.

This is a record that is within reach- whereas catching a 52 lb redfish in the lagoon is not practical. I can always dream. . .

Richie

Fishing Repot 7-20-16. Big Redfish- and the one that got away!

Hi,

I caught my biggest redfish yesterday - one inch and 2 lbs bigger than the one I caught at Walton wading a few months ago.

                                              My redfish over 12 lbs and over 31" (Click to enlarge)

It was big-- so big  its tail wouldn't quite fit in the picture :) Jim had a nice trout that was around 8 pounds- it wasn't long just stout:


       Jim's chunk of a trout

So here's the report of our day yesterday and the big one that got away!!!

Fishing Report 7-20-16 around 7:00 am wind east 10-14mph. Jim's boat fishing Lagoon in Vero area, high tide going out water temp mid-80, air temp about 92 when we left. I fished Skitterwalk on top and various plastics on jig. Jim fished a jig and red mirro-lure on top plus a popper.

We got on the water fairly early a little before 7 am to beat the heat. I was fishing top water and Jim was using a jig. We went out to our best trout spot and there were some fish there. I got three hits on top - all misses before Jim caught a nice trout on a jig. He caught another trout before I finally got one on my Skitterwalk. I got a great strike and then wham- nice fish on! My drag whirred and when I got it the boat it was a 4 lb bluefish. Jim helped get it unhooked and I was back working the Skitterwalk on top.

I caught two more trout then switched to a jig and caught a nice 18" fish that flipped off at the boat. I switched back to topwater and threw my lure 50 yards away twitch, twitch and wham!! Huge explosion - I set the hook-- but the line broke. My 8lb test must have been frayed or something cut the line.

Jim had caught 10 trout to my 4 when we moved to another spot further North. We drifted through once and Jim caught a nice snapper, then on the second drift he caught a two pound black grouper- too small to keep tho. 20 minutes later we couldn't find any trout so we tried the middle section of the lagoon near near a sandbar. It was less than 3 feet deep an clear. I made long casts with the topwater and finally caught a nice jack. We drifted through another area fishing jigs but no trout.

Jim went to the East shore and we drifted out over a big shallow flat with jacks busting bait in the area. The grass which died off last year was starting to grow back. Jim threw a Mirro-lure twitching it on top and I used my Skitterwalk. Jim got three hits, one trout knocked his lure in the air. He got 10 strikes with no fish. Finally I caught a trout near the boat. Then he caught one and I landed two more on top. He switched to a jig and caught two more. We went back to drift through again but ended up further north. I caught one more trout on top and he got a nice trout on a jig.

"This is a big trout spot," Jim said. "I bet we get a big trout here and a redfish. We used to catch redfish here all the time but that was 6 years ago!"
"We haven't caught a redfish in a while," I said. "It's been two months since I've caught one, at Walton when I was wading."

We went back and drifted through again. Right by the boat-- with just 10 feet of line out-- a monster trout slammed Jim's jig. It pulled drag several times and Jim was right - there's our big trout (see pic at top) he predicted. She weighted almost 8 lbs but she wasn't very long, probably 26, maybe 27 max- still a beautiful fish. Jim also caught a 4 lber and I had a nice 20" 3 lber on topwater. The fishing wasn't fast but there were fish in the grass and bait swimming through.

We went back and drifted through near where we got all the trout strikes. They weren't hitting like before. Half-way through the drift it happened. by it- I mean a giant redfish, bigger than any I'd seen and bigger than any Jim had seen in Florida came up and swiped at Jim's jig not more than 12 feet from the boat. The water was crystal clear so the got a look at that monster. This redfish was way over 3 feet long and must of weighed over 25 lbs. After she swiped at Jim's jig, she swished her tail and was gone. We were both in shock.

I stopped fishing topwater and threw my jig. Two minutes later, I saw a huge swirl behind my jig. I lifted the jig near the top and shook it. Wham!! A big redfish grabbed it only 15 feet from the boat, and like the monster redfish we both saw this one too.
"Redfish!!!" I yelled as the fish pulled drag, "it must be over 5 pounds!"
"Take you time," Jim cautioned, "Don't reel in when he's pulling line!"
That's about all the redfish did was pull drag! I was reeling down but I couldn't get him in. 10 minutes later I'd bring him in 20 feet and he'd pull drag 20 feet.  He just kept pulling drag. Jim pulled up the drift sock and told me to pull him around the boat. Several minutes later I finally pulled the tiring redfish to the boat.

"That's a big one," Jim said, "way more than 5 pounds." He lipped him with his scale and handed him to me. "Grab him under his gills and we'll take a picture." We took a couple pictures (see one above) and set it free.

It was hot and we headed back to out honey hole to catch a few more trout before we went in. Jim caught three more trout and I caught one on a jig. We got off the water after over 5 hot hours.

My totals: 1 big redfish, 1 jack, 12 trout, 1 bluefish
Jim's totals: 18 trout with one 8 lber, 1 snapper, 1 grouper

A great but hot day on the water.

The Trout that didn't get away! July Fishing reports

Hi,

My biggest trout ever, just shy of 30" and around 9 lbs:

                                             My Biggest Trout (click to enlarge)

This beauty was caught on 7-7-16 in the morning on on top water (Skitter-Walk) and measured around 30" and weight around 9 lbs --almost caught my ten pounder!!!

I'll give a couple fishing reports. As you may know the South Indian River Lagoon near Stuart had some toxic algae and I'm not wading in that area- which includes Walton Rd. Even though it's not as bad that far north. The St. Lucie River and all the way to the inlet has been green- green algae in the water, so until it cools down it's best to stay out of the water. Most of the problem is the dumping of toxic water from Lake Okeechobee by the Army Corp of Engineers (more on that later).

The beach has been good for snook, ladyfish and jack in the early mornings and evenings (6:30-8:00) and I've caught good number and one over slot snook (around 33") but, in general, the large females have not shown up yet.

Jim Bohrer has taken me out fishing about once a week and we've done well, we caught 88 trout one morning in June (I caught 47 that day) and 45 the last week in June but not many good sized fish. That changed yesterday when I caught six trout 23" or longer.

Fishing Report 7-7-17 Vero Beach Lagoon, north of 2nd Ft. Pierce bridge, Jim's boat. It very hot 81 in the morning and around 91 when we got off the water at 11:15 AM. Water temp around 84 with a breeze fro the southwest about 5-12 mph. overcast but mostly sunny. Low tide and outgoing to dead low. I fished skitter-walk (topwater) and a 1/8 oz Cal jig with sparkle 4" shad-tail plastic. Jim fished poppers and mirror-lure on top and 1/16 oz jig with a white plastic Berkley shrimp.

We went out from the launch and there was a boat near out spot, so we went around him and fished North. We were still in out best spot this summer. I threw my Skitterwalk out and the second cast the water erupted-- fish on, this was good fish. When I brought him across the weeds I yelled out, "Bluefish!" I wheeled him down to Jim unhooked him.

Jim was fishing a jig and I cast the skitterwalk as far as I could- one twitch, wham! the water sprayed in the air as a big trout missed my lure. Two twitches later- wham - fish on! This was a nice trout around 24" much bigger than the ones we caught the week before.

                                                          My First Trout of the Day

I hooked and released a slot trout two casts later when Jim finally had a hit. "Big one !!!" he yelled. His drag whirred. The fish swam at the boat then took off into open water. Jim had 100 yards of line pulled out and he yelled, "We're going to go after this one!" He automatically pulled up trolling motor and cranked the engine. "Must be a shark," he said as we followed it for 1/2 mile as it headed North towards the bridge. The fish slowed and Jim gained about 10 yards before it took off again. He cranked the engine and we went across toward an island. "that's twenty-six minutes already" Jim said. The fish wasn't even tired and Jim knew it. 'I'm going to put some pressure on it" he yelled and cut off the engine. He pulled the propeller up out of the water. "It'll pull the boat around," he explained. The fish pulled the boat about twenty feet before Jim's line went slack. He pulled the line in--the fish broke the hook!!!!

"At least my knots held," he said. I was glad we could finally get back to fishing for trout again. "That was a big fish," Jim said and speculated that it could have been a 30lb redfish. I guess we'll never know!

The guy that was fishing our spot had moved east and was a couple hundred yards away. I immediately got some awesome topwater strikes before landing a 19" trout. Then I cast shallow and had a big hit, water spraying everywhere- fish on! This fish was every bit as big as the 4-5pounder I landed earlier- I got it to the boat with Jim telling me to keep my rod tip down. He lipped the trout with his de-hooker and we took another picture of another big trout!!

While Jim was tying on a different topwater I hooked another big trout and it jumped completely out of the water twice before making its way to the boat. I pulled it around to Jim who didn't even look up, the 4 pound trout splashed against the boat and flipped off. On the next cast I caught and 18" trout and Jim helped me get the two treble hooks loose. Jim set the trolling motor heading North and I was casting in the shallower water. I got strike, then I left it sit, twitch and wham!!!

"Fish on!!" I yelled.
"Is it a big one?" Jim yelled back.
"Yes, bigger than the other ones!!!" I answered. I put my rod tip down to keep her from jumping.
"She's going under the boat" Jim yelled.
'Turn off the trolling motor" I yelled. I walked around the deck to the back of the boat. "This is monster!!" I yelled and then I pulled her up.
"Keep your rod tip in the water," he warned.
I kept her beside the boat for 10 seconds before Jim could lip her.
"Nice trout Buddy!" Jim said. He took several pictures and the fish was so long it barely fit in the picture. He measure her and she was over 29" and under 30. "Closer to 30" he said later. He weighed her and she was just under 9 pounds. What a fish!!!

Several minutes alter I landed another nice trout. We went by the our spot shallower and suddenly the water exploded around my Skitterwalk. Another huge trout grabbed by lured and with a tremendous splash of it's tail took off north. I set the hook and reared back- the fish pulled 10 yards of drag and just popped off. This was at lesat as big if nor bigger than the other one. I was shaking. I realized I put way too much pressure on that fish instead of letting it take line. I pulled back my Skitterwalk- the hook was bent, I lost a trophy trout.

We went to another spot but the trout weren't there I caught one small slot on a jig but that was it. We went North where Jim's friend had lost a big trout and fished the flat. Nothing. we caught a couple jack and made 5 passes with no trout. We hit another spot and nothing. Then I realized that Jim, the master, had not caught a trout. I'd only caught 11 but 5 of them were 23" or over so it by anyone's standards was a great day- especially with a 30" trout. We headed back to the honey-hole.

On my fist cast I got a vicious a strike on topwater and then near the boat a 19" trout slammed it and I got it over the boat side before it flipped off almost hitting the rail. Jim hooked a big fish on a popper but it was a 4 lb bluefish- he still didn't have a trout! I caught another 4-5 pound trout and we took another pic. I was hoping he'd catch a trout soon. Jim caught two more big bluefish. And I caught my last trout, nice slot, before Jim finally caught a slot-trout on his topwater.

It was getting hot and we made a pass in hte shallow water but I got just one strike before we headed in it was around 11:00 am. We'd fished about 4 hours.

My totals: 12 trout with 6 trout 23" or bigger and one almost 30"er (11 on topwater). I also caught 1 bluefish and 2 jack. A hot day on the water.
Jim's totals: 3 jack, 3 bluefish and 1 trout; most on topwater.

Troutarama with Jim Bohrer and Record numbers: over 100 each

Hi,

I have a couple pics that I'll put on later. We didn't catch many decent trout- probably three around 20" but we caught more trout than I've ever caught. Jim said he caught 111 trout and I caught by my best guess 101- I was more into the catching than counting. It was a day so active there wasn't enough time to drink water or eat. I also caught two fish at one time- more on that later. Trout, trout and more trout!!!

That 's 212 trout in about 6 hours woah!!!

Fishing Report 6-4-16; on water at 7:30 am Round Island (West Side) Water temp around 83, air temp about 78 then around 90 by 1pm, light wind from the east - later blowing about 12-15mph. Water clear to murky. Tide incoming then outgoing. Topwater early then Cal jigs with different plastic baits.

When Jim texted me to go with him I knew my only good rel was in the shop being repaired. My second reel worked but  it has a small spool. I put on new line that was way too heavy and so when we started fishing I got snarls and couldn't cast far.

We put in at a Marina off Dixie Hwy and as we went out Jim gave me a topwater to tie on. There was some bait 50 yards off shore spanning a long flat. We started casting out topwaters. Jim told me to slow it down and I did. My third cast a trout hit my plug and knocked it in the air!! Then it hit again and wham trout on!! I reeled in a nice slot unhooked it, and cast again. There were trout feeding everywhere. Jim caught a couple on top and I was getting a strike on almost every cast. They'd hit it three or four times before one would attack it and get hooked.

                                     One of my nice topwater trouts (click to enlarge)

In thirty minutes I caught about 12 trout topwater and had 40 strikes. It was awesome. I was still fishing topwater when Jim switched to a jig. Finally my line got snarled for the 5th times so bad I had to cut it. Jim caught 3 or 4 trout while I was messing with my line. Finally he tried to help me but decided to give me another rod and reel to use instead. Then I really started catching trout!!!


We had been following bait with the trolling motor across the flat in about 4 feet of water. The tide was almost high and the bait had gone under the surface. Jim stopped and we fished a spot next to a white buoy. I cast deep and got a hit- missed pulled it up got another hit- trout on-- it came in near the boat- then flipped off and I caught another trout following that one 15 feet from the boat which I released!!! Crazy!!!

We had double trout on probably 25 times and once I caught two and released them while he caught and released on. In that spot and another spot just 50 feet South we caught over 150 of our 212 trout.

I also caught two fish at one time!!! I caught a small trout and when it splashed near the boat a bluefish came up and grabbed it. The trout was to o big to swallow so the bluefish grabbed it's tail- but it wouldn't let go!! So I pulled both out of the water and when I swung them over to the boat the bluefish came off.

We tried some other spots in the area and still caught trout but not at the trout for every two casts rate. Here's a pic of Jim with a nice trout he caught in the morning on topwater:

                                                       Jim's Trout

Eventually we went back to the same area we fished in the morning and caught a few here and there at a steady rate. Finally I caught one nice trout in the afternoon,

                                                              Richard's Trout

So it started getting windy and it was hot and we were tired- tired of releasing trout, so we headed in. What a day.

Our totals: Jim caught 111 trout and I guessed 101 plus we also caught 4 jacks, one around 4 pounds, 2 bluefish and 1 puffer fish. A beautiful day on the water.

A Day with Mr Trout --May 10 Fishing Report

Hi,

I finally hooked up with Mr Trout- Jim Bohrer, and we went fishing in his boat at Round Island. We got a late start and the tide wasn't right and we both had trouble retying lines- but in the end- it was fun and we caught a few fish too!!!

Jim is the president of the Rod and Reel Club and an all-around great guy. He has caught more big sea-trout than anyone in this area and maybe more than anyone in the country-- after all this is one of the best big trout areas in the country. I guess his biggest is around 34 inches and 14 lbs and he has the pics to back it up.

Fishing Report 5-10-16 around 9am at Round Island dead low tide to incoming- Windy from south-east mostly South--fishing in Jim's boat with different plastics on jigs.

We launched at the Round Island ramp and headed out through the deeper cut. There was some chop on the water. The bait was flipping on the top behind two small islands which blocked the wind. Jim slowed down and told me to cast to the islands. My third cast- trout on!! It wasn't big and I lifted it up and unhooked it and back in she went. We went out some and the wind drifted us across a flat- usually there was grass there - but all he grass died in late August, a truly devastating loss for the fish and the fisherman. Grass=bait=shrimp=crabs and that's were the fish go to avoid being a bottle-nosed dolphin's slurp. Where are the trout? Everywhere but they aren't stacked in a nice grassy spot.

I got a snarl and had to cut my line. Jim wanted to show me one of his knots but then just tied it while I fished his pole. Trout on!! I caught a nice slot on his pole!!! I had two trout and Jim's a hell-of-a-fisherman so that wasn't going to stand. I got another snarl and it took 5 minutes to get it untangled and my line was messed up so I cut it and retied. In the ten minuted that took Jim caught two very nice trout, one about 19" and the other a slot. We drifted through and I got another trout then he caught one more. after another drift we headed to one of his special spots. But no grass was there and no bait was there and no trout were there.

We headed across some boat markers to the East bank and let the wind and Jim's trolling motor (hand operated with a remote control from the back of the boat by Jim) guide us. We were drifting shallow along the mangroves looking for redfish. Jim caught another trout- which surprised us. Then he caught a small snook. Then a redfish followed his lure to the boat and smacked it. Jim set the hook but the fish popped off- no slam today.

I lost a small fish then lost a nice one before hooking a 24" snook which came to the boat and flipped off. Jim wanted a pic but I catch a snook every day bigger than that. Jim hook a nice fish that splashed and pulled drag- "snook" he yelled. Then we saw it - a big trout. It wasn't long- maybe twenty-one inches but it was fat, He weight it- over 4 pounds. What a fatso!! I took a couple pics and will post one soon.

                                                  Jim's fat trout (click to enlarge)

We headed back and drifted. I immediately caught a nice trout and Jim got caught up in a tree and busted his line. We drifted all over while he retied, I caught and small snook and missed a fish or two. We each caught another trout and he aid the total was 11. I knew he caught 6 so that was good. 

We moved to another spot and caught a bunch of ladyfish. I had to go help my girlfriend so we had to head back with only 4 hours or so on the water.

                                                     My crazy girlfriend (click to enlarge)

Out totals- 11 trout with one over 20 and 4 pounds, 3 snook, and a bunch of ladyfish. a great windy day on the water.

My Biggest Redfish and other true lies

Hi,

A few days ago, Sunday May 8 to be exact. I caught my biggest redfish. How big was it? For wading Walton it was a monster!!! I didn't get a picture so I had a choice: Do I keep it and eat it or throw it back to get bigger? I threw it back. I did measure it on my fishing rod and it was around 30" long give or take a half inch. How heavy was it? I guess it must have been at least 10 lbs-- it's mouth was huge and they have small mouths. More in my fishing report.

May 8, 2:30pm Walton Scrub. Tide outgoing and fairly low. Air temp around 86 and water temp in the mid 70s. Wind about 10mph from the east. Water clear to murky.

I went shallow and didn't get a bite until I reached the 1st pier. Then I got a bite- wham!!! My drag whirred and a 26" snook jumped. I tried to keep it away from the pier- and I got lucky and it went away from the pier and to the shallower water. I've been having some tough luck on piers- got broke off 4 times a few days earlier- twice on the pier and twice on big snook breaking my line. Only one of them was my fault- I didn't retie. Today I unhooked the snook and it swam away- beautiful!!!

At the third pier I hooked a bigger snook that really gave me a run. It too went away from the pier. When I released it I saw two people standing on Indian River drive watching me. Hey, ty Mr. snook!!! The water was getting low and the last two piers didn't produce a strike. I saw some bait deep, so I went across the sandbar.

It's been slow deep. There are some big jacks and occasionally some ladyfish and bluefish but no trout. The feeders just come in, hit some bait and they are gone. So today was no exception: I fish deep then I'd see some feeders busting bait. I go over there and -- nothing. I saw three schools of feeders and by the time I got close they were gone. I'd cast and cast but nothing. I fished deep over a mile and not one bite.

It may have been the tide-- it was about dead low.  By the time it started moving I was all the way back. I was reeling slow and steady while I looked at my line for a snarl. Suddenly wham! I felt the bait being scooped up and I set the hook. Fish on!!! I didn't take long for me to know this was a gooood fish. I started to bring it in but no- it took out 10 yards of line. I thought it was a jack but it didn't go around me in a circle. What was it? I'd pull it in then it would take line out. Five minutes later I finally got it to me and pulled it up. Redfish!!! What a monster!!! This redfish was twice as big as any I'd caught at Walton and any I'd seen at Walton. The spot on his tail was as big as my fist. I pulled him up-- what should I do? I could take him to shore and get my camera out of the car but that would take 5 minutes at least and I only have 8 lb test. I had to let him go- I couldn't even pick him up with one hand- I tried- he was just too big. I put my pole under my arm lifted him up with two hands -- he was well hooked. I lipped him and measured him against my pole, I put my pole back under my armpit and unhooked him. He swam away --no problem!!!

I was shocked- what a fish! Next cast I got a hit then I caught a small trout, it flipped off before I could unhook it. Two casts later - wham - big hit!! Missed it- woah!!! Then on my next cast my jig was absolutely crushed. Fish on!! This was another big one. My drag whirred the fish leaped in the air shaking it's head-- bluefish. This was the biggest bluefish I'd hooked and it went absolutely crazy. I had water all over me- it was jumping everywhere. When I got it to me it was huge-- over 5 lbs. In the lagoon this was one of the biggest I'd ever caught- usually they are 2-3 lbs. I got my pliers out and fought it keep it from cutting the line before I could get the hook out- what a struggle! I squeezed the hook and shook the pliers- back in the water it went!!

I fished for 10 minutes and went North- then back- the bite just died. I headed off the water.

My totals: 2 nice snook one a slot; my biggest redfish a whopping 30" and around 10 lbs, 1 bluefish and 1 small trout. a beautiful day on the water.

Brief Fishing Reports 4-20-16 Slam and 4-21-16

Hi,

I've been fishing and the water in the Lagoon has been very high all week, at least 1 foot higher than normal. There's some sign of grass trying to grow shallow but the deep water and wind keeps the sun out so this isn't helping. With the full-moon it's prime time to fish but it's too windy especially on the West side.

The fish-of-the-month at the Stuart Rod and Reel club is largest trout. Yesterday I caught a 24" and a smaller slot, the day before a 21" and the day before that a 23".  I have a pic of the 23" and 21".  I measure them on my fishing pole which I have taped.


      Gotcha!!! A nice trout 23" from Monday

Yesterday I had an inshore slam- lot's of wind. Today I caught a big snook!! Here's a brief report:

Fishing Report: 4-20-16, 10:30am Walton Scrub-- Wind SE 14mph gusting, water high incoming then outgoing. Water temp 73 air temp 80. Water slightly stained and stirred up. Fishing Cal 1/2oz then 1/8 oz with different CAL paddle tails.

There were two people fishing live bait in shallow so I went South to fish the piers. One of the guys fishing with live bait caught a nice trout as I went by. He was fishing a live shrimp. It was very deep shallow with waves so I stayed to the shore. It would be high tide in 30 minutes so I tried to get moving. I caught a small ladyfish that leaped in the air twice. I pulled it in and it shook off. The first pier was dead. I cast 30 times and finally got a strike- missed it. I fished the short second pier nothing and the long third pier nothing. I didn't even fish the ends because it was so deep. The water was finally going out and I had little to show for my day so far.

I blanked on the 4th pier and started fishing slower. I had a heavier jig on because of the wind and waves. The 5th pier was dead too then suddenly after I cast shallow through the pilings I felt some weight- my line just stopped. I set the hook- fish on! nice fish, I thought it was a jack because it stayed down then saw it redfish!!!


          Small-medium redfish, had two spots

That was exciting then headed for "snook cove" which is an open area with mangroves. I cast off the white pilings and immediately had a fish on - trout!! The trout jumped twice and I wheeled an 18" beauty over to me and released it. 


                    18" Trout, my first

"Now all I need is a snook" I thought. I worked my way into snook cove and wham!!! Fish on!! It was a snook!! It came halfway out of the water then took off pulling drag and turning me sideways. I pulled it to me and it splashed again. I pulled out my camera, pulled it up and go a shot- it was about 30" a small slot. Then something weird happened I lifted my rod tip and my line broke- for no apparent reason- I guess fishing piers will do that- wear your line on barnacles.


    Slot Snook- it flipped over and broke my line!!!

It counted because I could have easily netted it. I was upset that it had to swim away with a hook in its mouth!!! In about 15 minutes I had an inshore slam. Wow!! I fished snook cove and up to the pier nothing. On the way back I cast where I caught the trout- I had a hit then another trout on!! This was big trout woah. It was easily around 4 lbs and I measured it on my pole and it was just less than 25".  The pic didn't come out- sorry.

On the 4th pier going back I caught a nice 2 lb jack and another ladyfish. I headed deep and got a hit immediately- missed it. I fished deep back and suddenly about 15 feet from me something slammed my jig- my drag whined and it just popped off. That was big- don't know what it was. I fished back and caught another small ladyfish.

My totals: 2 trout, one big around 24", one redfish, one slot snook, one jack and 3 ladyfish. A beautiful day on the water.

 ________________________

Fishing Report 2: dated 4-21-16, 8:30am Walton Scrub-- Wind SE 16mph gusting, water high incoming. Two-three foot waves.Water temp 73 air temp 80. Water slightly stained and stirred up. Fishing Cal 1/8 oz with different CAL paddle tails.

Today it was very windy and I only had three strike- but two of them paid off!! Nobody but me was crazy enough to fish the West side!!!  I first fished south to the piers- nothing. There were two foot waves with occasional whitecaps on every cast. When I made it to the first pier I patiently fished it. I cast toward the deep end and there she was- wham!! Big snook on!! She came out away from the pier quick then bellied half-way out of the water. Woah!! I tried to pull her North even farther from the pier but her second run went back to the pier- pulling drag the whole way. I couldn't stop that run but just when she made it to the pier I turned her and she went shallow away from the pier. After a couple minutes in the open water I got my camera out and got two pics. This is the best one:



       A submarine? No!! A big snook around 40".

She was well hooked but tired and after measuring her against my pole, I unhooked her. I moved her in the water till she swam away. I'd say she was over 10 pounds. What a fish!!!!

I fished all the way up to the 5th pier and had a vicious hit under that- missed it. By now I noted my jig was falling apart the led had separated. I headed back fishing quickly in the rising tide with huge waves.

When I got to the open stretch near Walton Scrub I fished out from the second mangrove and wham!! Snook on- another big snook. This one hit it- missed it then hit it and I set the hook and my drag just screamed. It went right out in the deeper water and splashed around but wasn't hard to bring in.  Here's a close up:

                                                    A very nice upper slot around 32" beautiful fish!!!


What a windy day- two snook one around 40 and one around 32.

Recap of the last month

Hi,

I apologize for not posting - it's not like I haven't been fishing :) just not writing about it. The snook fishing has been good. It got cold and for a week or so in March the snook were trying to keep warm. Then the water really started warming up and the bite was on. I've been catching one or two snook on bad days and 5 or 6 on good ones. They have been hanging around piers and cruising the shoreline chasing bait.

In my snook contest for March (Stuart Rod and Reel Club) I caught 20 snook but the meeting in March was cancelled because it was merged with another event. So I'm not sure how I would have done-- 20 snook in a month isn't very good for me.

Still I haven't had a big fish for quite some time and the biggest snook have have been in the 34-36" range. My neighbor Jim, who I fish with most of the time has had 3 monster snook on but all three have either broken his line or in once case broken his hooks. He was throwing a plug with a rusted treble hook and a big snook hit it and broke off two off his three treble hooks!!! That was a shocker.

There is still no grass in the lagoon- the grass died off in the high water of late August and September when it couldn't get any light. I'm sure pollution and water quality didn't help. Hopefully with warm water and conservation efforts: we (SRRC and other organizations) are dumping oyster shells and planting grass- the grass will come back.

Because there's no grass the trout are very hard to find. Look for them in shallow water 4'-5' maximum depth with access to shallower water. I caught a 24" trout (4 1/2 pounds) two days ago and have been catching one or two trout a trip. Last year it was 6 or 7 trout per trip this time of year and I averaged 15 trout a day in early summer. I know Jim Bohrer has been catching some big trout and I'm not sure of the numbers which I'm sure are less than last year-- he fishes Round Island in Vero.

I've seen some Redfish now that the water clarity is better and they're dumping less water from Okeechobee. But I've only caught three redfish this year and all were small. My neighbor caught a nice redfish at Bear Point a few days ago. He's also caught more redfish, possibly because he fishes slower.

I've been fishing Walton; Walton Scrub, and on the east side -Herman's both North and South and have fished Bear Point once. For a while I was catching some big jack a few around 8-10 pounds. I even caught a 10 pounder that was hit by a shark on the way in. It was cut up but lived to swim away. We don't see many sharks but when we do my neighbor starts heading for shallow water!!!

Right now the deep bite on the other side of the sand bar in all areas has been horrible. You can fish deep and for 30 minutes not get a bite. There are ladyfish and an occasional jack but no trout deep. No grass beds to protect the trout.

The spring mullet run is on!! Most of the mullet are too big for small jack, trout and snook but perfect for bigger fish. I've had good luck fishing shallow around bait and fishing piers. I haven't been fishing the bridges but they are probably getting to be good. Some of the snook will head out to the inlet to spawn soon.

I may upgrade my line from 8 lb to 20lb since I've been fishing piers and got broken off twice. 8lb is good for trout or anything in open water but a big snook around a pier is a different matter. I still fish primarily a 1/16 oz jighead with CAL 4" paddletail or fork tails usually white but I change colors. I have fished the larger paddletail and caught trout and bluefish on them.

I have some pics I'll put up someday and will do fishing reports,

Tight lines and true lies,

Richard

18 but who's counting :) Fishing reports

Hi,

Where's the grass in the lagoon gone? Long time passing. Yes, the grass is gone. Will it come back? I believe it will - sometime in late May or June. The snook are also gone. When it got cold the snook moved-- and they haven't returned. . .yet. So what do you don't if you can catch a snook in the lagoon--catch one in the ocean!!! So that's what I did, I went to the ocean tonight and got snook number 18 in the fish-of-the-month club. I almost caught number 19 but didn't get a good hook-set. . .that's the way it goes.

Briefly I'll recap some lagoon trips. It got cold last week and on one trip I caught lady-fish, bluefish and a few jacks. After 4 or 5 ladyfish I want to catch a trout since the snook are gone- no trout. Another trip in a brutal SE wind and high incoming tide I couldn't find  the ladyfish and bluefish deep or the trout-- I caught 5 jack and three of them were small. Tough fishing! Here are two reports:

Fishing report Walton proper 3-2-16 about 8:30am low tide incoming. Air temp 72-77 water temp 71.  Water murky. Fishing jigs 1/8 oz with paddletails.

I went to Walton proper and went out deep- it was almost low tide. Two guys were fishing deep South of the last pier- one was fly fishing. I went straight out to my top spot and after two casts I slowly lifted my jig and felt some weight- wham fish on. The trout opened his mouth and skied back on the top 10 feet then went down and came up jumping a foot in the air. I wheeled him to me and grabbed for my camera--it was gone. I left it sitting on the hood of my car!!! No pic. I'd have to go get it soon. I released a nice slot trout around 17".

A couple cast later, fish on!! Another nice trout came wheeling in. I got splashed good and released it. I looked at my car on the bluff- nobody around - my camera was safe. Two casts later I got a swirl and a bump but missed it. I cast deep and as soon as it hit- trout on!! This was smaller about 14" and in 5 minutes I caught three trout. Time to get my camera. 10 minutes later I was back in my spot casting everywhere- no trout. I did catch a nice jack and two ladyfish but the trout bite had stopped. The fly fisherman had come down near me and I recognized him and said "Hi."

"Catch any trout?" he asked.
"Three," I called back.
"Just landed a ladyfish" he said
"Me too," I said, as he said, "bye" and got off the water.

I worked my way North then back south and caught a few more lady fish and another jack. I cast deep and wham fish on- this was a nice fish and it didn't jump-"probably a jack," I thought. I was wrong it was a big trout, very nice and it splashed me twice while I grabbed my camera and took a couple pics [upcoming]. I measured her against my pole - 22 1/2 inches, very nice and heavy too.

I caught two more lady fish and lost a few more before I reached my 2nd spot a shallow point before the water got deeper. Two casts later I caught my 5th trout a small slot around 16". I lost a trout when it came up and landed another ladyfish. This ladyfish jumped 3 feet in the air but right into me. When I put up my arm the hook cut my left elbow. Unreal. I already had a cut thumb from releasing a jack.

As I went to the last pier, fishing deep, a guy came on the water with a bobber and live shrimp and started fishing the pier- now I couldn't fish it. While he was fishing the pier I caught a trout, two jack and 10 ladyfish (unhooking about 5 of them :) So he came out and started fishing deep too. But he wasn't catching a thing. So I went over and showed him my jig and then went deep fishing. He tied on a jig and 5 minutes later caught a nice trout!!! When I came back I saw him catch a ladyfish and another trout- "Way to go!!" I yelled to him.

I fished shallow but there was nothing there so I went back deep and fished back. On the way I caught my 7th and 8th trout the 7th was over 20 inches and I took a couple pics [upcoming].

My totals: 5 jacks, 12 ladyfish (a at least 12 more that flipped off) and 8 trout. A beautiful day on the water!

Fishing report 3-3-16, 4:30pm Ocean at Herman's Bay, Tide medium low- outgoing. Air temp about 80 water temp about 71. Wind SW. Fishing jigs with my neighbor.

It was nice to be back on the Ocean. Jim took off South and was 1/2 mile ahead of me. I got a strike and it tore the tail off my paddletail. I saw some big fish feeding in the distance- way too far away. I cast along trying to catch up with Jim. I got a hard hit- fish on!!! this was nice fish but it wasn't a a snook- just a 3 pound jack. I released the fish with some difficulty since it swallowed my lure- it swam away ok.

I caught up to Jim who had blanked and then I caught a small jack in the first cut near the shore, I had several strikes there and one took the tail off. Jim foul hooked a small jack- his only fish. We headed back casting along. Jim was leading the way 50 yards ahead. I was casting in a shallow trough only 3 foot deep that was cut along the shore. Suddenly I saw a fish dart out of the shallows and slam my jig. Snook on!! I called to Jim but he didn't turn. The snook took off and ran right past me only 10 foot from my rod tip. It cut left toward the beach and I pulled it on the beach, a chunky 23" snook. This took about 15 seconds I grabbed the leader, went to unhook it and it flipped twice- the hook came out and a wave swept the fish way. Wow!! my 18th snook!!!

I cast shallow all the way back and 3 minutes later another snook nailed my jig. This time it jumped and threw my jig. Woah, can't count that one!! Then a minute later wham!!! Fish on!! This was good fish. I called to Jim again but he didn't hear me. This time it was a 5 pound jack. Although I was disappointed that it wasn't a snook, it was a good fish. I got no more action and we got off the water as it was getting dark.

My totals: 3 jack, and 1 snook.

My Biggest Trout- (so far) Fishing Report 2-27-16

Hi,

We thought it was going to be a good day to go fishing-- it wasn't. It was cold and the windy blew steady from the North and then North East at 17-20mph with three foot waves and breakers. But something good did come out of this day that was so hard to fish. I caught a 28 1/2" trout that weighed an estimated 8lbs. What a monster- details follow.

Fishing Report 2-27-16 Walton Scrub about 12:30pm high tide incoming then outgoing. Water was about 68 and air was about 66. Windy about 17mph NE. Fishing 1/8 jig with CAL paddletails.

I went fishing with my neighbor Jim. we saw the waves breakers and knew it was windy. When we got on the water we found out how windy- it was almost unfishable especially since there's not much of nothing shallow- it's been dead shallow except when the snook were shallow but the cold has moved them out. Just brutal conditions.

We both went deep and made it past the sandbar. I got a strike as I pulled my jig up near me- I couldn't see the fish but it wasn't big. We went to our spot deep and I got another strike, then fish on!!! A wild an crazy ladyfish jumped out of the water, then again and again. I got her over to me and unhooked the 3 pounder- a fish at least-- and. . .they fight. Jim put on a heavier jig and he caught a ladyfish, then a small jack. I fished North and ahd two strikes but missed them. Then I caught my second lady fish, this one I didn't have to unhook as she jumped near me and threw my jig. I caught one more ladyfish but it was too windy to really feel your line so I went shallow. Jim stayed.

I fished shallow all the way to the 1st pier- nothing, not a strike. I carefully fished the first pier- nothing. Jim had come down and was fishing deep off the first pier. I fished the short 2nd pier nothing. Then I went to the long third pier and it was high tide so I went down nearer the shore. I made a long cast under the pier and wham fish on!!! Huge splash, then another!! This was big fish and at first I was sure it was a snook. Then I thought, "She's heavy but she isn't running like a snook." "Redfish?" I wondered. Then she came up again and shook her head- I saw her head. "Trout!!" I yelled to Jim. "Big Trout!!!"

I brought her up and she splashed again, unable to clear the water. I wheeled her around and at last got a glimpse- "Huge trout, my biggest!" I saw she was well hooked and pulled her to me. I quickly measured her against my fishing rod and took two pics (upcoming) of her in the water. Jim was nearby and headed my way so I took her over to him. He unhooked her while she was in the water but she jumped and flipped out of his grasp before I could take another pic. What a fish!! Jim who knows lagoon fish and has been fishing her for 18 years told me she "weighed at least 8 pounds" and was the biggest he had seen caught when he had been fishing. Later I checked her length by measuring the marker on my rod- 28 1/2 inches. Woah!!!

The rest of the trip was uneventful- too windy. I caught a nice jack on the way back and we got off the water.

Jim's totals: 2 jack 3 ladyfish
My totals: 1 trophy trout, 1 jack and 3 ladyfish

Sixteen and Seventeen- Fishing reports 2-25-16 and 2-26-15

Hi,

Even though I'm not catching many snook I'm still counting them and now I've caught number 16 and 17 in the Rod and Reel Club's fish-of-the-month contest which started about two weeks ago. The recent cold front has pushed the snook back out of the shallows and I was lucky to catch two on Thursday 2-25.

Fishing has been brutal and catching anything is something. It should warm up some by next week and maybe the snook will move in shallow then.

Fishing Report 2-25-16 Walton Scrub around 1pm outgoing near low and then incoming. Water around 69 air temp around 64, cold and windy wind out of NW.

The cold front has pushed in and my neighbor Jim and I headed South and fished shallow. I was looking for snook, but the water was murky and shallow and no fish could be found. I headed for the first pier and Jim went deep. I cast 50 yards to the edge of the pier- wham!!! fish on! This was a snook and it jumped after I set teh hook then it jumped again. It wasn't big only 22" but it was feisty. I wheeled it around and took a pic [upcoming] then released the fish in the shallow water. "Number 16" I thought. This was the number I'd caught in the last two weeks and I was keeping track for the Stuart Rod and Reel club contest.

I headed for the the next pier, nothing. the third pier- nothing. Jim was fishing deep near the third pier and he had a pompano on- it was a nice one [pic upcoming] around 4 lbs. He's been promising his son-in-law her keep some fish and this was a great fish to keep. i put it on my stringer and headed for the 4th and 5th piers but could get a hit.

Carefully fishing the sixth pier I skipped my jig under the pier and out the other side and I brought it under the per wham!! fish on1- the snook took out and my drag whirred. The problem was it went back under the pier and around the pilings. I charged after it dragging a pompano behind me on a long stringer. I went under the pier and much to my surprise the snook was still on!!! I puled it into shallow water away from the pier. It managed and small jump but quickly tired. She was about 24" long, a nice 3 lb snook. I released her and cast around the shallows- nothing.

Two dolphins cruised along the sandbar in very shallow water. One of them was inside the sandbar and went back over it coming out of the 10" water to cross back. I headed deep cross the sandbar to fish with Jim. He caught a jack and then another jack and I had two hits but not fish. I hook a small fish and pulled it near me before it flipped off- never saw it. Jim went in to fish the third pier some and I fished deep and caught a nice 2 lb jack.

I headed back walking backwards so I could fish with the 15mph wind at my back. I bumped into a manatee but it didn't get flustered it simply swam away from me. I cast deep, fish on!! this was a nice fish and I fought to get it in. When it came near me it kept down- a 3lb jack. I released it and kept wading north towards Walton Scrub. Jim was fishing closer to the sandbar behind me.

We got to my best deep spot near Waltons Scrub and I cast deep. Bammmm!! fish on!!! This one came up and shook it's head- trout! I pulled it to me- a nice 17". Since we had a pompano we need a another fish or two so everyone 96 people) could have enough. I tied it on my stringer and cast back out- wham!! a lady fish soared in the air. I pulled this big (3 1/2 lb) ladyfish in an released it. Then Jim caught a nice trout and we put it on the stringer- that was enough fish right there- perfect [see pic upcoming].

Two cast later I hooked a nice fish and it was running deep. Was it another pompano? It looked a bit like one and I pulled up it up- a 4lb jack.

We fished a few more minutes and got off the water.

My totals: 2 snook, 3 jack, 1 ladyfish and 1 trout
Jim's totals: 3 jack, 1 pompano and 1 trout.


Fishing Report 2- Walton Scrub 2-26-16 about 8:30am low tide incoming cold and windy NW. Air temp 62 water temp 67.

Windy and hard to fish. I met Al we went to Walton Scrub. Too shallow to fish shallow. I went deep to fish my spot because another wader was fishing North and heading for it. I cast deep across the wind. On the second cast I got a strike-  missed it. About the 5th cast I felt a fish and set the hook- fish on!!! It came up and shook it;s head- a nice trout about 18". I released it and soon after felt a tap hooks set- fish on, another trout came up but immediately flipped off. By not the other wader fishing North was casting near me and Al had co9me deep and was casting in front of me.

I cast deep and wham- Fish on!! This was good fish and after 10 seconds and some drag pulling it jumped- a 4lb bluefish. It jumped several times and I was splashed as I tried to unhook it. I couldn't so I got my pliers and pried the jug from its teeth. I should have stayed there but we all headed South hand nothing was biting- nothing- I fished the piers nothing- I went deep- nothing. We fished back shallow and got not strikes. Al blanked and I don't think he had a bite- a tough, windy, cold day on the water.

My totals: 1 trout (lost trout) and 1 bluefish

All Day- Fishing report 2-23-16

Hi,

Yesterday was an all day fishing experience. Not a great day but I caught fish. The biggest snook I hooked broke my line when I tried to keep her from going under the pier. That was the only disappointment. I did catch two more nice snook to add to my Rod and Reel fish-of-the-month total which is now 15. Today with high wind and storms I'm off the water. The snook are on the west side and they are there in good numbers. I haven't seen or heard of any over-slot sized snook (36") but maybe they will come shallow soon.

Fishing Report 2-23-16 Walton Rd. 6:40 am low tide- incoming, light to moderate wind SE. Air temp 74 water temp around 71. Fishing 1/8 jig with CAL paddletails.

I met one of my fishing friends, Al at Walton around first light. We decided to fish at Walton Proper and go South. Al was fishing shallow crakbaits and medium sized rattle trap type lures. He blanked this morning but later that evening (round 2) caught two nice fish.

I headed out deep (past sandbar) to fish for trout and had one swirl at my jig when I pulled it up. Two casts later a small slot trout slammed by jig only 15 feet away- fish on!!! I wheeled the trout around and grabbed my camera. When I pulled it up it jumped and flipped off. No pic but one trout!!! I went South and Al was still fishing behind me. I cast deep and hooked a nice 18" trout and pulled it in and released it. Al went shallow and headed South. A guy we know started fly fishing just South of us near the last pier. I headed South to try and fish the last pier before he spooked the fish around the pier -- too late. He fished around the pier and went under it. Al and I went under it behind him.

The fly fisherman cast around the white pilings as I followed behind him fishing shallow with Al fishing behind me. I cast near some bait near the shore. Wham!!! Fish on!!! this was a good fish and it jumped twice- not clearing the water but I could tell it was a slot snook. I played it and let it take out drag twice before pulling it to me and taking a couple pics. I released  the 30" snook [pic upcoming] and Al and I fished South shallow leaving the fly fisherman behind us. I got a good strike as I neared the next pier but missed it. Al was 200 yards behind by the time I cast around the pier. I got no strikes around the pier which is deep on the end and headed for the next pier only 50 yards away. 

The next pier was shallower and fishable in its entirety but the snook are usually not deep- preferring to feed in shallower water under 3 feet. As I cast under the pier my line got a little tangled. When I lifted it up and shook my pole tip, a snook darted out from under the pier and slammed by jig. Fish on!!! This one went right out in open water and pulled drag twice before jumping. Not as big but still a nice snook about 24". Not only that it got my line untangled, not sure how!! I released it and headed across a low flat toward the next pier.

I have caught snook there the two times I've fished it and was expecting to catch another. But it was not to be- we got no strikes and we fished the next pier where I lost a fish near the bottom next to a pier piling. It seemed like a jack or catfish but I never got it hooked properly.

It was starting to get very windy and we quickly fished all the way back to Walton with no luck.

Fishing Report Part 2: 2pm very windy SE at 2nd Jensen bridge in Stuart in the shallows on the North side. Medium tide - outgoing. I met Ken at the bridge and he hadn't been catching much lately. He was fishing at a spot he showed me near the bridge supports when I got there. I waded shallow in the sandy area between the two spans. It was perfect the wind was at our backs and we could cast way out there. I went between two people fishing on the shore and was stuck there (between their lines) until one couple grew tired of not catching anything and left.

I cast out and on my third cast- wham- fish on!! I was hoping it was nice trout but when I pulled it to me it whirred around me and stayed down- it was a 2 lb jack. I released it and got a strike deep. It missed then I got another fish on- a wild 3 lb ladyfish leaped from the water. I finally got it to me and it leaped splashing water in my face and popped off- good-- ladyfish are slimy and hard to grab.

Ken came over to my spot and he caught a ladyfish, then a jack and then another ladyfish. Meanwhile I caught two small jack and a ladyfish. We waded West along the sandy bank casting deep. Then I started catching ladyfish on almost every cast. After catching ten and a small jack I looked over at Ken. He wasn't getting bit so I gave him a pearl white paddletail to try. He caught a jack and then a couple more lady fish.

Every three of four casts I'd have a fish on. A pelican came over to see what all the splashing was about. He just stayed there and I started throwing him the fish I'd caught. Most of them were probably too big for him to eat- I didn't know. The pelican missed every fish- even a small jack that I know he could have eaten. At the end before it rained the pelican was floating about 4 feet away from me- waiting for the next fish. But the wind and rain drove us off the water and the pelican never got a meal!!!

Fishing Report part 3: Walton Rd 4:45pm tide out going almost low. I saw Al at Walton when I was driving home- he was getting out of his car to go fishing! The wind had almost stopped completely- it was beautiful out there- overcast but beautiful. So I went fishing again- my third time!! I went deep and Al went shallow. I caught a small trout after 10 casts and released it. Then as I headed South to catch up with Al, I hooked a ladyfish, probably my 20th of the day!!!!  The wind was picking up and I fished the end of the pier and then quickly went out deep and fished between the piers where Al was fishing shallow.

With the wind at my back I was casting 50 yards under the pier as I slowly made my shallow to fish with him. Suddenly under the pier a big snook grabbed my jig. I set the hook 50 yards away and the fish shook it's head and crashed along the surface. I started to pull it away from the pier but this snook had other plans. She headed for the pier. I tried to turn her but- snappp!!! my line broke. How big was she? I don't know but she was big.

I tied on another leader and jig while I watched Al catch a small snook and looked at his trout that he had on a stringer. The trout was a good 23" and he agreed to let it go after I took a pic [upcoming]. So we went back and I took a pic. We got off the water.

My totals for the day (3 trips): 2 snook and 1 that broke my line; 3 trout; 8 jack; and 20 or so ladyfish. A great but windy day on the water.

East Side or West Side? Two fishing reports 2-19-16 and 2-20-16

Hi,

I usually fish the west side of the lagoon; Walton Rd and Walton Scrub. You could call these reports, West Side Story (I won't and my apologies to Leonard Bernstein). I've also fished the East side, Herman's Bay and Bear Creek and Blind Creek but I've never done much there. This winter I have caught some nice trout and a few small snook on the East side.

Following are two fishing reports-- one from the East side and the other from the West side.

1st Fishing Report: Herman's Bay North 2-19-16; 9am. High tide outgoing, Windy E air temp 68 water temp around 70. Fishing 1/8 oz jig with CAL paddletails

The wind was blowing mostly East at 18-20mph and Walton was too windy to fish. My neighbor and I headed to the East side of the lagoon and stopped just North of Herman's bay. We waded North toward the first pier. The wind was no problem but as usual finding the fish was a problem. My neighbor had a lunch engagement so we didn't have much time.

We fished North to the first pier (a private pier) with no luck, not a bite. It was too deep at high tide to wade to the end of the pier so we cast to it. On the North side of the pier my neighbor Jim finally broke the ice and landed a nice trout. He also got a few strikes before he caught another trout. Then he snagged a small "look-down" - a fish I'd never even seen before!!!

We waded slightly North of the pier and I still hadn't got bit. Another wader came under the pier and was fishing shallow behind us. Finally I had a hit and pulled up a small trout. Jim caught another nice trout. The wader behind us hadn't caught a thing so he turned to watch.

I cast deep around a pier piling and wham!!! my jig stopped--I set the hook--fish on!!! This was no dinky trout. The fish took off North then leaped in the air shaking its head-- it was a 4 lb bluefish and it wasn't happy to be deterred from swallowing baitfish. After a 3 minuted battle I unhooked him and showed him to the the other wader. "Nice fish!" he cried. Two casts later I pulled up an 18" trout and the wader was now fishing next to us in the deep water. We decided to fish on- and left him there in our spot. We talked to him later--he never caught a fish.

We fished North and I went far ahead. There were several schools of baitfish and I got a nice swirl as I pulled my bait to the surface. I cast back again and wham!! another bluefish!! He jumped and I pulled him around then he pulled drag and circled back. I pulled him up- grabbed my leader and saw he wasn't hooked well- he jumped and threw my jig- instant release- the best kind!!! Bluefish have teeth and they clamp down on your jig and sometimes won't open their mouths. Pliers have little chance of prying their locked jaws open- you have to put them back in the water for a sec- then pull the jig out of their mouths!!!

By now the tide had gone out some and we both headed back- Jim had a luncheon so we threw a few casts in out trout spot but had to hurry in.

Jim's total: 3 trout; one look-down
My total: 2 trout; 2 bluefish- a beautiful day on the water!!

2nd Fishing Report Walton Proper; 2-20-16; 3:00 pm almost dead low tide then incoming. Air Temp 76; Water temp 72. Wind 10-12mph SE

We stopped at Walton Proper because no one was fishing there- it's usually heavily fished on Saturdays. It was too shallow to fish shallow so we went directly out deep and to my first spot. I pulled up a trout, it flipped off- can't count that. Another trout swirled at my lure- it missed. I lost another trout that hit my lure only 3 yards away but popped off. I turned behind me. Jim, my neighbor, had a fish, and it was a good one. I fished while he brought it in- then it jumped- a beautiful 5lb bluefish. It was putting up a fight. Meanwhile I felt a hard hit- fish on!!! I had a very nice 3lb. trout. I took out my camera to take a pic of Jim's bluefish-- he grabbed the leader- it cut his leader- no pic. Instead I took a pic of my 22" trout [upcoming].

Jim caught a trout and I caught a jack, then Jim caught another Jack. This was ten minutes of action, he want to head North and I wanted to fish the pier South so we went different directions. I told him I'd catch up with him in 30 minutes or so. I fished quickly heading South. I lost a trout then hooked a small trout and pulled it to me- it flipped off on it second jump but I could have netted it- so it counted. I made it to the long and deep last pier at almost dead low tide. I worked the pier for 20 minutes nothing then I went back North to catch up with Jim. Two waders had come on the water and they were fishing shallow in 10" of water- didn't understand that!!! I fished quickly North and wham!! fish on. A medium sized 2 1/2 lb bluefish jumped in the air. I looked at the waders they weren't paying attention. I got the fish to me and tried to keep him from splashing- I couldn't he came up and I grabbed the leader- he flipped off. Instant release!!!

I wanted to catch a snook so I headed for the first white pilings and the oyster bed- nothing. I cast to the end of the pier- nothing. I went shallow and fished the South side Nothing. On the other side of the pier when I cast the water swirled- there goes my line!! Snook on!! It jumped but it wasn't much of a snook maybe 20" and I wheeled it around and took a pic [upcoming] before pulling it to me- it jumped again in my face and flipped off- count it- one snook!

I worked the next white pilings and the mangroves but the water was too shallow and it was dead low tide. I worked the next pier where I'd caught many snook in the last week and on the backside had a hard hit- snook on!! This one was smaller and jumped twice before I unhooked it- 18" maybe, fun but small. I fished the next pier - nothing. Since I had caught up to Jim. He was fishing deep and had a ladyfish on!!!

I went deep and fished next to him. Jim had caught a 5lb pompano and several ladyfish. I immediately started catching ladyfish- and these were big ladyfish, wild ladyfish and they jumped every which way. After 5 ladyfish and 4 destroyed baits I was ready for something new. We headed back as the tide started coming in strong. I caught two jacks and lost another before we ran into another school of ladyfish. Count 3 more lady fish for me and 3 lost ladyfish. I hooked a bluefish but it threw my lure when it jumped.

Finally we got back to my fav spot at Walton Proper and just as quickly- trout on!!! I pulled up a nice slot trout and released it as Jim caught another ladyfish behind me. I caught a ladyfish and lost one before I nailed a 20" trout and pulled it over for Jim to see.

The sun was getting low and we got off the water.

Jim's totals: 1 large bluefish, 1 trout, 1 jack, 1 big pompano and many ladyfish.
My totals: 4 trout, 3 jacks; 2 small snook, and nearly a dozen ladyfish

A Snook Has No Pier-- Fishing report 2-18-16

Hi,

A snook has no pier-- or is that peer?  All I know is a snook that has no pier is not a happy snook. All the the snook I caught today had a pier and they were waiting for some bait to swim by. Although the 7 snook I caught today weren't the most or the largest, they made it an exciting day, and. . . I now have 11 snook total caught for my fishing club's "fish of the month."

Fishing Report 2-18-16 Walton Proper about 9am tide high and outgoing. Some wind early then very windy from NE about 18-20mph. Air temp about 68-70 water temp about 70. Fishing 3/8 oz jig with paddletail on 8lb braided line.

I hadn't fished Walton proper (intersection of Walton and Indian River) for months. I've been fishing North at Walton Scrub and wading South but never making it all the way to the intersection. I knew the snook were under the piers and some nice snook had moved in shallow. I wanted to fish the awesome last pier which was south of Walton Proper and hit the trout spots deep so I stopped at Walton proper. When I climbed down the steep bank and waded in, there was a guy fishing shallow near the last pier with a fly rod. I fished South over to him and asked him if he was fishing the pier. He said, "No, just go behind me." So that's what I did. The guy with the fly-rod caught a small trout and I started fishing the last pier.

The last pier is the deepest pier of the eight piers from Walton Proper to Walton Scrub. I've caught some nice snook there and lost a couple huge (over slot- 10 lbs) snook. I fished for 30 minutes and couldn't get bit. Nothing!!! The fly-rodder went under the pier and I headed across the sandbar to fish deep. The wind, which wasn't blowing much, was picking up to around 12mph, not too bad.

I fished my way North to my first deep spot. Wham!! hard strike!! missed it! I cast back again wham!! fish on!! This was a good fish but it certainly was staying down-- a 3lb jack. I released it, rebaited and cast back out. Another strike, missed it, but it took off my paddletail. I rebaited and fished North into the wind. Wham!! the water exploded as I set the hook. A four-pound bluefish careened in the air. "Don't cut my line," I prayed. Fortunately the lure was not far in his mouth and I got splashed as I lifted him to me. "Another bait gone" I thought as I released him and rebaited. Soon I got a strike and a nice slot-sized trout shook its head as I pulled it in. I pulled out my camera and took a pic [upcoming]. The trout jumped twice but was double hooked in its mouth so it took me a few extra seconds to release it. The plastic paddletail bait was done - the head was ripped almost off. I rebaited and headed South to my next spot.

I looked behind me and saw the flyrodder nearby fishing the shallows. He had come back North. As he watched I caught an very nice trout, easily 20" and took another pic [upcoming]. About two casts later I got a strike and pulled up a trout that flipped off. Then I hooked another small slot trout and pulled it to me- it too flipped off but I counted it. I saw some bait and cast over it. As I pulled the jig near me I saw a fish flash then when I lifted it out of the water a bluefish jumped out of the water, flew in the air, and bit the tail of my paddle tail off. My jig was about a foot in the air when it hit!!! Great googly-moogly- that got my heart pumping!!

I caught a jack then another bluefish before I caught my last trout, my 4th. Then I realized I'd come to catch snook and in 90 minutes I hadn't caught one. I looked for the flyrodder- he was getting off the water- too windy and probably too few fish. I went in to the shore for a quick bathroom stop under the pine grove- then I set out to fish shallow for snook. I fished shallow to the broken down pier's white pilings (3 piers in the Walton stretch have disappeared and all that is left is the white pilings) and then fished the pilings-- nothing. I fished against the wind across the oyster bar and to the end of the long pier- nothing. I went under the pier, fished the other side and across the the second pilings- nothing. Then I remembered a deeper section of the pier that was shallow- I'd caught snook there before. My first cast parallel with the wind blowing my lure into the pilings and wham!! Snook on! I waded away form the pier and the snook obliged -- it headed to open water and leaped in the air. Not big, but strong! I pulled it around and it jumped and swam to me. I grabbed the leader and the 24" fish shook it head and flipped off. Yes--my first snook of the day- at last! Two casts later another snook grabbed my jig. This one swam fast away from the pier and I moved quickly to open water. It was smaller than the first about 20" and I lifted it by the side. After I released it I remembered- my camera- I had taken no pics.

I fished north across the second fallen down pier with while pilings and into a good open area with mangroves. Usually, snook will feed there, but not today. The wind was getting crazy- blowing at 15mph and there were two foot waves and whitecaps- where's my surfboard!! I had to make it at least to the next two piers. I fished the white pilings of another missing pier then carefully fished the 6th pier, a short but productive pier- nothing.

I went to the 5th pier and cast against the wind under each section- nothing. I went around and fished the other side- nothing. Then I cast shallow parallel to the pier and let the wind blow my line underneath. The bow of my line disappeared- wham! a nice snook grabbed my lure and took off. When I set the hook  she leaped in the air completely out of the water. Wow, nice fish probably a slot (28")!! She headed back for the pier but I turned her and brought her splashing over to me. I grabbed my camera and took a pic then released her. The very next cast in the very same place- wham!!! snook on!!! This one wasn't as big and swam into the pilings but quickly came out. I pulled it into open water and released it. I cast back in the same place and wham!! another snook!! This one jumped and threw my jig so it wasn't a catch. After ten casts I moved to next short pier and into the brisk wind. "I guess I'll keep on," I thought, "they're biting." The short little pier had no bites so I went on to the white pilings and to the the long third pier. "This should be gr8," I thought. But it wasn't - I couldn't get a bite and fished the short 2nd pier without a bite. The last pier I could fish was the long fist pier- even with he wind I had to fish that pier.

Casting against the wind I got no strikes so I went over the the otherside and cast parallel. After 3 casts- wham snook on!!! This was a fairly big snook and I got it away from the pier and kept it from going back. I took out my camera and got a shot of it jumping. Nice!!! I released it and went back to fishing parallel. The next cast he bow on my line from the wind stopped- there got my line!!! Hook set, fish on!! This snook jumped completely out of the water!!! another nice fish!!!  After I released it I was amazed that I immediately got another strike- had the fish on but it popped off. Then two casts later I caught a third snook in the same spot! This time it went under the pier and came out somehow not slicing my line on the pilings. I released it and could coax not more snook from that pier!

I headed back. the wind was 20mph and big waves were crashing into me. I tried fishing deep but it was a complete joke- too rough to fish. So I headed shallow and fished the piers quickly. Nothing  until I got to the 6th pier then I cast shallow and puled the jig under the pier- Wham!! what a strike. The snook took off but under the pier. I was far away and tried but had the give it slack. I waded to the pier opening then checked my line it was wrapped around a piling on the other side- there fish was gone!!

The wind was whistling and I was blown back and got off the water. I'd fished over 3 1/2hours.

My totals: 7 snook with three around 28" none less than 20", 4 trout, 2 bluefish and 2 jack. A great but windy day on the water. Not many people would even try to fish in that wind :)