[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he inshore fishing should be good this month dispute the cold fronts moving through. On the nice days look for the trout to be in the deeper side of the flats and in the deeper cuts along the channel edges. They will be feeding on live shrimp fished on a 1/8- or 1/4-ounce jig head or free line them. Remember, when the water is cold, you will need to fish the bait very slowly. Look for the redfish around the Ft. Pierce Inlet and our local bridges. A small live bait, like a pinfish, pigfish or a mullet will be your best bet. Fish the baits on a bottom. Rig with enough weight to hold the bottom and a 3/0 to a 5/0 live bait hook and a 30-pound fluorocarbon leader. Remember that snook season is closed this month and will open again on February 1st. There should be plenty of snook around the local bridges and in the Turning Basin. They will be taking a live bait or a Flair Hawk in 1.5-ounce or a 2-ounce in your favorite color. Look for the action around the Ft. Pierce Inlet to improve with the Spanish mackerel, bluefish and pompano arriving. For the blues and macks, you can use just about anything that is shiny. Just find the birds and you will find the fish. For the pompano, try a shrimp, sand flea or a piece of clam, and use a pompano rig. When the pompano arrive, all you will need to do is look for all the boats to gather in one place. Also, around the Ft. Pierce Inlet and the bridges the croakers, black drum and sheepshead should be around in good numbers. Fish a #2 hook, 1-ounce lead and a 20-pound fluorocarbon leader with a small shrimp or a fiddler crab. Don’t forget to check your size and bag limits as they can change during the year.
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