[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t is time to put your snook rods away as the season just closed on June 1st and won’t reopen until September 1st. But, there are plenty of other fish to chase. The trout bite should be in full swing with the bigger fish taking live baits like pilchards, greenies and pigfish. Try free-lining one of these baits on the flats around Bear Point, Harbor Branch or Queen’s Cove. Use a 5/0 live bait hook on about 24 inches of 20-pound fluorocarbon.
Down to the south in the river look for the redfish along the docks of South Indian River Drive. A live shrimp fished on a 1/8- or ¼-ounce Troll-Rite hook and casting it under the docks will make your chances really good. The redfish will also be around the mangroves up around Queen’s Cove and Jack Island. Fish these spots with the same rig.
Snapper should start moving in along the channel edges and around the local bridges. The best bite will be at night around the full moon. Small white live baits, shrimp or a piece of cut bait fished on a bottom rig with a one-ounce weight and a #2 hook will be your best bet. Remember, for snapper you will need to use a long leader—three to four feet of 20-pound fluorocarbon. And, for the anglers who like to throw artificial’s baits, try a Zara Spook or some type of top water bait from daylight until about 8 a.m., then switch to a soft plastic bait like the D.O.A. line of soft plastic baits. The color will depend on the water color. I like the light colors for the clearer water and the dark colors for the darker water. There should be plenty of big jacks and some tarpon showing up around the Fort Pierce Inlet and taking live baits.
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