Fishing Report for Indian River & St. Lucie River - Offshore

Capt. Kevin Drennan
June 17, 2006
Stuart - Saltwater Fishing Report

The offshore bite has slowed a bit in the past couple of weeks, but the near shore action has more than made up for it. Dolphin are still being caught but they are much more spotty than they have been. Some boats get lucky while most do not. Sailfish are being caught with the majority being in close in between fifty and sixty feet of water. The Sand pile is loaded with sardines which attracts many predators. Kings and cudas slash through these bait pods and can be hooked bay slow trolling a live bait. The key is to keep the boat just in gear and bump in and out of gear as you circle all the bait. Thirty to forty lb. wire is a must. The down side to this area is the abundance of porpoise. Many kings have been taken by these mammals as you are reeling in your catch. One boat this week lost seven kings to these guys. Bonita are just about everywhere and some nice cobia are being caught with some regularity. An occasional blackfin tuna rounds out the offshore mix.

Along the beach, the tarpon are moving in. Some large fish are being caught early before the boat traffic spooks them. Catch and release snook have taken up residence at the inlet rocks and will pounce on any live bait thrown their way. There are also some nice size snapper and grouper in the same area. Permit have also started to move in so toss some live crabs at them. Bait is plentiful just north of the inlet. It only takes a few minutes to load up and head out. The north fork of the St. Lucie is loaded with mullet. Large jacks and some tarpon are pounding them in the early hours. Some trout and redfish are being caught in the Five Fingers area. Get out and enjoy the action. More later.

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