Stuart, Florida Deep Sea Fishing Report and Forecast: April 2015

Trophy mutton snapper will be caught along the southern reef line to the Loran Tower Ledge, like this jumbo mutton caught aboard the Safari 1. PHOTO CREDIT: Safari 1.
Trophy mutton snapper will be caught along the southern reef line to the Loran Tower Ledge, like this jumbo mutton caught aboard the Safari 1. PHOTO CREDIT: Safari 1.

Springtime conditions will prevail during the golden days of April as longer daylight hours will allow near coastal anglers to enjoy the light winds and calm seas that typify this month`s offshore scenario.  A user-friendly ocean and extra daytime will allow captains and their fish hungry crews to explore the farther edges of their fishing perimeter at all angles of east, offshore of the St. Lucie Inlet. Meat hunting, bottom fishermen will make the 10 mile run to the southeast to fish the “Loran Tower Ledges,” a series of naturally occurring coral reef that run approximately north to south in depths from about 65 feet out to 85 feet of water.  These coral reef ledges have very well developed horizontal structure and vertical profile, which rises from the ocean floor towards the surface.  The Loran Tower Ledge reef zone is a very, expansive area with dynamic configurations of natural reef structures, which include reef caves, large voids (fish holes), pinnacles, bowls, over hangs, and innumerable smaller out-cropping’s, that are all associated with this reef system.  This reef zone is a magnet for all saltwater fish, especially members of the snapper family that post up, feed, and spawn on top, inside, and around these types of structures. Vermilion snapper will begin their spawning period this month and will be one of the “grocery targets” a top of this ledge. Lane, mangrove, and mutton snapper will also be found here and will be caught on most cut baits deployed with lead sinkers to reach and hold the bottom. Large representatives of these species cruise this reef zone. Large mutton snapper from 12- to 20-pounds can regularly be found here along the outer edges of the reef line and in gulley’s between pinnacles. Huge cubera snapper can also be found along the outline of the reef`s contours.  Successfully catching the big snapper is highly dependent on pinpoint boat positioning along the reef line, specialty terminal tackle rigging, velocity of the current, and proper and confident deployment of baits. April will open the offshore window for winter-weather-weary anglers.

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