Mullet are Back
Capt. Bob Bushholz
October 23, 2012
Stuart - Saltwater Fishing Report
Stuart Fishing Report: 10-23-12
The past few weeks I have noticed a big increase in our fall mullet run. In Mid September to the first 2 weeks of October, seemed like the baitfish were stacked up just north in Fort Pierce but were avoiding the Stuart-Jensen area most likely due to the water releases and storm runoff. I have seen most of the baitschools along both shorelines and scattered closer to the channel. This is a great time to throw top water poppers or livebait with mostly jacks and ladyfish underneath but also look for trout and redfish feeding just outside.
Last week I fished with Charles Fabiano from Vero Beach. He was interested in bringing something home for dinner so we headed north of the Jensen Beach Causeway first targeting baitschools to get him "warmed up" releasing over 20 jacks and ladyfish. Then we focused on dinner fishing the causeway area and channel markers. With shrimp on trollrites we caught five tripletail to 18''along with black drum, flounder, lane mutton and mangrove snappers. Closer to shore on the west side along Indian River Drive trout and ladyfish on gulp shrimp. I believe we are around sixty tripletail for the year but lots of little guys.
The Stuart Causeway has been good on late incoming to the first couple of hours of outgoing with black drum, redfish and a few snook close to the structures. Pompano have been reports scattered in the surf and should start showing inshore real soon. The Spanish bite should heat up shortly and will be around till April.
Best bet in the inlet seems to be livebaiting from the crossroads north to bird island. Look for jacks, tarpon and a few sharks enhaling the mullet. Also when the bait is present, seawalls are a good bet for larger jacks and snook. The channels running east to west near riverside park and four fish marina can hold some big tarpon when the bait is there.
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