[dropcap]H[/dropcap]appy bait time will be on the beaches and rivers everywhere. This time of the year is the best time to be a land-based angler. Beaches will have schools of anchovies and the finger mullet will be schooled up moving up and down the beach. The bridges, docks, and catwalks will be great spots to take family and first-timers to really catch big fish. Tarpon will be crashing big mullet to little anchovies.
To land these big fish you need heavy tackle: an 8-foot rod, reel with 50-pound braid, and plugs like Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows, UNFAIR lures, or Bomber Long A and use 60-pound leader tied to these. For live bait, use big mullet or a big shrimp, free line it in the current, tied to a #1 live bait hook.
The top bridges to check out is the Jensen Beach catwalk, east or west side; Roosevelt bridge from the old one to new one. If the water is moving, that is where you need to place your bait or lure. Beaches will be hot with tarpon, snook, jacks, and redfish—sharks will be all over. Fish the bait schools and make sure you are casting the outside of these schools. You might have to drive beach to beach to find the bait. Start at Fort Pierce Inlet and make your way all the way to Hobe Sound Beach until you find bait being chewed on, then follow these schools until your arm can’t take it anymore from a bent rod. Good luck and tight lines!