The pomps are coming!!!
Capt. Bob Bushholz
November 24, 2011
Stuart - Saltwater Fishing Report
Stuart Fishing Report: 11-24-11
We are coming up on one of my favorite times of the year. We are just starting to see some pompano coming into the inlet area and in the Sailfish Flats. Late incoming and the first couple of hours on outgoing tides when the cleanest water is around is key to increase your odds on these tasty pomps. I like throwing Capt. Joe's "The Jig" sometimes tipping the teaser hook with a small piece of shrimp. Another option is using triple pompano rigs with sandfleas on the bottom. We have caught several pomps up to three pounds on the last few times out. Also some monster ladyfish up to four pounds in the crossroads area. If fishing or just cruising in the crossroads, keep an eye out for crab traps which seem to be everywhere. When the current is ripping, these floats can submerge making it difficult to spot.
One big surprise this year is the return of ribbonfish. Back in the 70's till the mid 80's you could not fish the Indian River without coming across these toothy critters. Then all of a sudden they just seemed to vanish. Last 2 times out we have caught 6 ribbons mainly in the inlet.
Around the bridges look for black drum up to 8 pounds along with some mangrove snapper, sheephead, croaker and snook up tight near the structure. I have been giving the dime bridge a break for a while with the water being so dark in the St. Lucie River but have been hitting some deep holes and docks in the Hell's Gate area with live mullet.
Have not spent much time north of the Jensen Causeway lately but the trout seem to be eating along with some reds close to shore. Trout season opens again Jan 1st.
Once the seas calm down I plan to fish Peck's Lake to check up on some Spanish Mackerel. Joe's jigging spoons, green tube lures and Gulfstream minnow jigs have all worked well in the past.
Even though the wind has picked up the past few weeks the fishing remains pretty good. One good thing about inshore fishing is there's always a place to hide out of the wind !!!
Happy Thanksgiving,
Capt. Bob Bushholz
(772) 530-1496
www.catch22fish.net
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