Fort Pierce Offshore Fishing Report and Forecast: February 2014

A nice catch of tiles and macs. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Chris Nelson.
A nice catch of tiles and macs. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. Chris Nelson.

Right now we are in the peak of sailfish season. When the weather allows you to venture offshore, take plenty of ballyhoo for trolling. You will also catch dolphin in the same area in the 90 to 250 foot depths. Kingfish will be in the 90 foot depths, so I would start putting baits out in 70 feet and work east looking for weed lines, current edges, and temperature changes. When you’re at a depth that you’re getting good bites in, troll north and south and work that area well (you’ll cover more area trolling north, because the Gulfstream flows north). If it’s a nice 3 to 4 foot sea or less, troll out to 700 feet of water. Once you’re out in that depth, pull out your electric deep drop set-up and drop down squid rigged hooks for golden tilefish (one of my favorite eating fish next to mahi-mahi). Make sure you have a few people on board as you’re only allowed to keep one per person per day. If you don’t get any tilefish at that depth, move out in increments of 20 extra feet in depths until you find them. Close to shore, you will find Spanish mackerel and bluefish along the beaches in 15 to 40 feet of water. Don’t forget to try your luck at bottom fishing just outside of that second beach reef to the north of the Fort Pierce Inlet and anchor up to catch a mix bag of great tasting fish. Please be aware of size and catch limits.

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