Stuart Inshore / Nearshore Fishing Report and Forecast: Dec. 2013

Austin Yeager and John Heinze with a 43 inch snook caught in the St. Lucie River with Capt. John Young of Bites On Charters. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. John Young.
Austin Yeager and John Heinze with a 43 inch snook caught in the St. Lucie River with Capt. John Young of Bites On Charters. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. John Young.

The snook bite in the St. Lucie River has been outstanding and should remain strong until the end of snook season. Cold fronts will make it a little more challenging but working a First Light jig slow and deep around the bridges will get you in the zone. Live shrimp on a jig head bounced on the bottom near structure or a live mullet free lined under docks and mangroves is good method for day “snooking”. At night, work the shadow lines of all local bridges with a First Light jig or swim bait. Plan your trips around moving tides. There has been a good black drum bite at the Roosevelt Bridge using cut squid or clams. Weakfish and croaker are showing up at the Ten Cent Bridge and are eating shrimp on jig heads or knocker rigs. The Indian River has a respectable trout and redfish bite going on around Blind Creek and Middle Cove. Work the deeper edges of flats with a D.O.A. CAL jig, bouncing it slowly over the bottom. On the west side of the Indian River, flip the docks for redfish and snook with a stealth approach. Look for diving birds in the surf-line and you will find bluefish and Spanish macs tearing up the bait. Cut bait or a shiny spoon works well for the bluefish. Mackerel like a fast moving shiny green jig, use mono leader for more bites.

Keep the waterways clean and wear your Bullfrog. 

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