Fishing Report for Indian River & St. Lucie River - Offshore

The east wind has been keeping most offshore fisherman inside but the big boats still go out and compete no matter what the conditions. Last week the Pelican Yacht Club annual sailfish tournament was fished in some nasty seas. The boats fish three out of for days and the captain decides which day not to fish. The first day saw very few fish caught but the last day was very good. One boat caught ten fish on the last day. The sailfishing has been very inconsistent. Last year at this time we were catching plenty of fish in fifty feet of water just outside of the St. Lucie inlet because we had plenty of threadfin herring and sardines in that area. This year we are struggling to find live bait, so the fish are not stopping to feed as they migrate through the area. The pods are moving through but they are spread out in different depths. If you are lucky enough to come across them you will catch multiples. The dolphin bite is about the same. Some boats run into them while most do not. King mackerel continue to be the best bet from thirty to eighty feet out. The bottom bite is continuing to improve with snapper and a few grouper on the reefs. The Spanish mackerel are still in thick at Peck’s Lake and will always put a quick meal on your table if you come up empty offshore. Bluefish and mackerel can be caught form the surf on fishable days. Some nice trout are roaming the flats north of the Jensen Beach causeway. Croaker and black drum are at the bridges along with some snook. Snook are also being caught in the north fork of the St. Lucie river along with some small tarpon. The pompano bight is on and off. Remember snook season reopens February 1st. More later.