[dropcap]H[/dropcap]appy New Year! January brings a lot of northeast wind and rough seas. On the beach, it’s all about pompano and big jacks. Pompano will be all over the beach, just find one that has some structure and a nice drop off. Pompano are like jacks they school up and eat in packs—find one and you will find the school. House of Refuge, Walton Rocks, and Bath Tub Beach are just some of the beaches where pompano school up. Big jacks will be showing up to spawn, so hold on as there will be some really big ones. They will eat anything but it is really fun to see them hit a big popper. Trout and redfish will be found on the flats. When a cold front comes through, make sure you fish the day of or after, as the fronts turn on the bite. Wade the west back of Walton Road and Indian River Drive. Use live shrimp or use soft rubber bait like D.O.A. CAL Lure in black silver. Hydro Pencil works great on trout. Walk the dog and these big gators will attack a top water bait. The best place to fish for trout and red fish is Blind Creek riverside. This holds great grass and you can fish it by land and never get wet. Fish other sides of the pump stations and you will catch everything from trout, red fish, snook, and even a tarpon. Get there early, first light is always the best and incoming tide. Bear Point in Fort Pierce has a great access and lots of fishing piers. It’s also a great place to take the kids for some great fun and fishing. You bluefish guys will find these fish on the beach near Walton Rocks—my top pick. Use cut bait for best results— cut mullet or lady fish—they will eat anything on the bottom . Spoons are great to cast for these fish when it’s windy and rough. Have a great start to the new year and tight lines!
