Stuart Inshore Fishing Report and Forecast: April 2014

Nicole Young with a Big Jack she caught on a topwater plug fishing the St. Lucie River with her dad, Capt. John Young of Bites On Charters. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. John Young/Bites On Guide Service.
Nicole Young with a Big Jack she caught on a topwater plug fishing the St. Lucie River with her dad, Capt. John Young of Bites On Charters. PHOTO CREDIT: Capt. John Young/Bites On Guide Service.

The weather pattern should stabilize this month with prevailing winds out of the southeast and warmer temps. More baitfish should start showing up in the Indian River, which means happy fish busting the bait. The Indian River slam (snook, trout, and red) should be obtainable this month with the presence of bait and hungrier metabolisms. Stick with Walk the Dog style plugs or chuggers in the morning and work the edges of the bait schools, or if you’re a wader and familiar with the bottom contour, work the dips and uprisings on the flats. Older wooden docks tend to be a little fishier then newer docks but keep plugging until you find them. Up in the St. Lucie River you will find snook around all the bridges. On the moving tides drop a live shrimp on a jig head next to the pilings and hang on. Black drum, croacker and snapper can be caught using the same rig. When the tides start ripping, fish the backside of the pilings for less current. A lot of times the drum and snapper will tuck in behind the pilings and wait for food to pass. We have seen tarpon up in the Club Med/Five Fingers area rolling in the mornings. Drift a 10” mullet or throw D.O.A. Root Beer Terror Eyz at these fish for hook ups. The big jacks are showing up busting bait throughout the river. Test your tackle on a 20 lb. jack and then you will be ready for the big boys.

Enjoy your time on the water and take a kid fishing for good memories.