captaincharlie

August Forecast for the Treasure Coast


Dog Days = Hot Fishing Days on the Indian River....

August not only brings hot weather, thunderstorms and dog days, but great fishing opportunities along the Treasure Coast. Just remember to prepare for each trip with extra sun lotion, water and ice. It's not just the fishing that will be hot this month!

Early mornings and late evenings will bring outstanding opportunities for top water fishing along the flats of the Indian River and St Lucie River. Zara Spooks, Chug Bugs and Skitterwalks will all drive the fish crazy in the calm waters as the sun peeks over the horizon. Snook, trout and redfish will all be roaming the flats in search of a morning snack.


Redfish will continue to provide great action in August...

The redfish have been cooperating well so far this summer in the Fort Pierce area. Look around Round Island, Queen's Cove and the Moorings flats when searching for redfish hangouts. We still have some smaller schools feeding around the river, but they aren't easy to spot most days. We ran into a nice sized school this week on the flat edges in three feetof water and boated three from that school. Gold spoons, CAL jerk baits and Gulp shrimp will all look tasty to a slot size redfish. Work them as slow as you can on the flats during the day.


Get out early for the best action on the flats...

Snook are still hanging around the bridges and inlets in St Lucie County. Live bait, Rapalas or jigs are still producing all sizes of snook, especially at night or early mornings. Top water will work on the flats or around the docks. In the St Lucie River, look around the mangroves during the day for snook to be lurking around. Remember that snook season is closed until September 1st...so it is catch, photo and release for now.

Trout fishing is generally an early morning bite this time of year. Top water can bring you some nice oversized trout. Once the sun has risen, switch to live bait on popping corks. Pinfish or pigfish are the best bait choices this time of year.

Tarpon have been hanging around the Moorings in the channels and also down around Little Mud Creek. It is a short time frame to get a chance at a hookup, so get out there before daylight with top water or live bait. The St Lucie River has also a fair amount of tarpon in the river right now. Look around the bridges, deep channels and spillways.

The river is loaded up with jacks and ladyfish. Take the kids out soon and watch their faces light up when they get hooked up with some fun fishing. Snapper fishing continues to improve around the bridges and structure around the river. Live or dead shrimp works great for them. The beaches still are holding whiting and bluefish along the breakers. Watch for tarpon, jacks and snook to be hanging around the bait along the beaches in August. Shrimp or sand fleas are best for the surf.

Keep lubed up with suntan lotion, keep hydrated and enjoy the fishing along the Indian River.....

Remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!

Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Capt Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com