Mangrove snapper are holding around the rocks and piers within the Ports’ basins. Live pilchards, shrimp, mud minnows or fingerling mullet rigged on a 1/8 to1/2 ounce (depending on water depth of the structure you’re fishing) HookUp style jig head or VMC 1/0 to 2/0 circle hook should get you into the game. Flounder, jack, snook, and an occasional redfish may also be possible for anglers using these types of baits. White bucktail jigs with Bang or Pro-Cure scent applied to them are another good lure option. Snook, bluefish, jack, and Spanish mackerel will strike these baits on almost every cast when a concentration is found. Along the beaches outside of the Port, anglers will still be catching tarpon, shark, and king mackerel. The various types of sharks and the kingfish will usually scale from about 10 to 35 pounds. The tarpon however will run from about 50 to 150-pounds on most days. Live menhaden (pogies) rigged on an 8/0 or 9/0 sized VMC 7385 circle hook are your top producer when it comes to the tarpon. The shark and kingfish will generally get caught on a wire stinger rig adorned with a lively menhaden or mullet. You can also cast large plugs around the bait pods found along the coast with good results on most days.
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