[dropcap]E[/dropcap]veryone is looking forward to the opening of snook season on February 1st and it should be a good season. We have been seeing a lot of them. The best areas should be in and around the Ft. Pierce Inlet, around the bridges and in the turning basin. Live baits like pilchards, greenies or a pinfish should be the baits of choice. However, a select size live shrimp, fished on a jig head will also do a good job. Look for the trout to be in the deeper cuts and holes around the flats. Use a live shrimp and free line it or possibly use a small split shot to get the bait down a little and fish it very slow when the water temps are down. The redfish bite should be good as the mornings warm up and bring the fish onto the flats. Try places like Round Island, Queen’s Cove and Bear Point. Small crabs, live shrimp or cut ladyfish should be the best baits to use. You will want to fish them on a #2 live bait hook and under a popping cork. There should be plenty of action around the Ft. Pierce Inlet and the jetty with jacks, bluefish and Spanish mackerel following the bait. Small spoons, a Gulfstream Flash Jig or a Gotcha Jig will be some of your best bets. The bottom fishing fishing along the channel edges with live shrimp should provide sheepshead, black drum, croakers and even a pompano or two. Also, try the channel markers to the south of the South Bridge all the way down to the power lines and keep an eye out for tripletails. Hopefully by the time you are reading this the flounder will be here.
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