Captain Charlie's Fish Tales Charters

September Fishing Forecast

2020-08-30T16:00:00.001-04:00

September Fishing Forecast With COVID-19 still affecting the Treasure Coast, more people have turned to fishing to get out of the house. August was a super-hot month! September will continue to be warm, but the fishing is always exciting. It’s a great time of year to target tarpon, snook and redfish around the Treasure Coast. Lots of bait has arrived in the area and the predators are chasing it both in the river and on the beach. Water temperatures will continue to be warm. Temps have been in the upper 80’s lately. It is always best to fish early or late in the day. The fall mullet run begins this month and that will bring exciting action to the area. I love fishing in September! Fish the shallow water early. Look for redfish around docks and mangroves this month. They like the shade these areas offer, and you can get a nice redfish fishing live bait, DOA shrimp and CAL grub tails. The trout bite improved this year and you can find some nice fish around Bear Point, Harbor Branch or Round Island flats. Fish top water early and switch to DOA shrimp or CAL jerk baits as the sun warms up. Snook season opens again on September 1st. Live bait, DOA Terror Eyz and assorted other favorites used around jetties, bridges and sea walls can get you hooked up to that slot fish. Make sure you are prepared for the season and check your equipment. It’s always good to check your license and snook stamp, too. Fish the bait schools! It's easy to spot the bait this time of year. The fall mullet run is going on strong in September. If you do not find bait around your favorite fishing spot, you will most likely not find many fish there. Move around if you need to find active bait. Fish love this time of year and they are out there gorging themselves on the bait in anticipation of the coming winter months. Water temperatures will begin to mellow out and will get back to normal. It's a great time of year to be fishing! Remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE! Good Fishing and be Safe, Captain Charlie Conner www.fishtalescharter.com captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com 772-284-3852

South Indian River Fishing Report - June

2020-06-09T04:33:00.000-04:00

June Fishing Forecast

COVID-19 has changed our lives so far this year. As things continue to open around the Treasure Coast, follow the guidelines and have fun this month. June brings about hot summer days. It is a time to get out early or late in the day and avoid the afternoon heat. Winds will be the calmer of the year so far and water temperatures will be in the nineties some days. June is always one of my favorite months to enjoy the fishing in the area.

Redfish, trout, snook and tarpon will be the big targets this month. Redfish will be hanging around mangroves, grass flats and docks. DOA shrimp or CAL shad tails are the perfect lures to target reds. Most of the redfish will be slot sized fish. Trout will be feeding on the grass flats both early and late in the day. The DOA Deadly Combo is a great way to search out the sea trout on the flats. Top water lures are the best choices for trout with switching to DOA paddle tails once the sun rises high.

Snook will be active around deeper water like bridges, inlets and sea walls. Live bait or DOA Terror Eyz are great ways to fish for snook. Don’t forget that the season is closed, so handle the fish carefully and get them released quickly. Night fishing will also be one of the best times to snook fish. Look for tarpon along the beaches, inlets and channels. Live and cut bait or DOA Terror Eyz are some of the popular choices for tarpon.

Remember, as always, fishing is not just another hobby……it’s an ADVENTURE!

Good Fishing,
Captain Charlie Conner

www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

South Indian River Fishing Report - May

2020-05-08T08:48:00.000-04:00

May Fishing Forecast for the Treasure Coast

Inshore:

It has been a strange year so far and most of us are wondering how this COVID-19 will affect us in May. I hope everyone has fared will so far and hope the coming months sees things get settled down.

I like to target redfish in May. Some good choices for lures will be gold spoons and the DOA 2 ¾” shrimp. Redfish will be active on the grass flats, mangroves and docks around the river.
Snook fishing will be good this month with night or early morning the best times to fish. The season will close May 31st. Inlets, bridges, seawalls and docks are all great places to target snook.
Look for trout to hit top water lures at first light. As the sun rises move to deeper water in the two to four-foot range I have had great success with CAL jerk baits and Deadly Combos this year in place of live shrimp. Look for clean water and good grass to have your best results.

Fish bridges and docks for sheepshead, snapper and drum. Jacks and ladyfish will be just about everywhere creating havoc all over the river. Beaches will produce whiting with catches of Spanish mackerel and bluefish along with some pompano. Tarpon will begin their trek into the river. May is a great month to fish the Treasure Coast!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!

Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner
http://www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

March Fishing Forecast

2020-03-09T15:56:00.000-04:00

South Indian River Fishing Forecast – March

Inshore:

The winds of March have arrived! Warmer weather means winter is over and spring conditions are just around the corner. Chances of rain are on the increase so watch the weather and plan your adventures carefully. Water temps will be on the rise this month and you can expect lots of exciting fishing action around the Treasure Coast this month.

Look for redfish to be around mangroves and docks. A DOA shrimp is always a good choice for reds. Trout will be moving onto the shallow grass flats as the sun warms things up. Try a DOA Deadly Combo or live shrimp on a popping cork to locate trout. A DOA CAL will also work well this month. Sheepshead, drum and snapper will be along channel edges and docks and willing to take a live shrimp. Snook fishing will pick up around the inlets, bridges and docks. Live pilchards are a favorite bait in March. Mackerel, bluefish, jacks and many other predators will be coming in with the tides and feeding around the inlets and channels of the river. Small shiny lures work best for these fish.
Pompano fishing has been good so far this year. Pompano are in the river and along the surf and willing to take a Doc’s Goofy Jig, shrimp or sand fleas. They usually can be found in channels and deeper parts of the flats in March. We have had great success on croakers the past few years. There will be nice sized fish in the river and along the beaches feeding with whiting. They are fun to catch and very good on the table!

Winter wasn’t so bad even though we complain about it. Living in Florida spoils you! March is a good time to check equipment. Both fishing and the boat should be checked a few times a year to make sure everything is in good working order. Some of these windy days will provide a good chance to check rods, reels and safety gear for when good weather arrives. Have a great March and enjoy the fishing!

As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!

Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner

http://www.fishtalescharter.com
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

February Fishing Forecast

2020-02-07T09:16:00.002-05:00

February Fishing Forecast

The winds of winter have arrived in full strength! It will be blowing most days and make it a challenge for anglers to get out fishing. Winter is well established, and you can expect weekly cold fronts to blow through the area bringing windy days and cool temperatures with them. Water temps will fluctuate this month and you must adapt to the changes for better success.
The sheepshead and drum have arrived early and are plentiful out there. You can find them hanging under docks or along channel edges. Live or dead shrimp always works well. It has been a good bite so far. Pompano can be found along beaches, in deeper areas of the grass flats and in channels. Doc’s Goofy Jigs are great for pompano with live shrimp and sand fleas good choices, too. Mackerel, jacks, bluefish and ladyfish will all be coming in with the tides and small shiny lures will work best for them.

Snook fishing will be best at night around the bridges and jetties. Live bait or a DOA Bait Buster will be good choices. The trout bite has picked up and we are seeing more sea grass growing on the flats. I like to use a DOA Deadly Combo when looking for sea trout. Look for redfish around docks and mangroves with a DOA shrimp.

Fishing your lures slowly will certainly give you more action on the river. Fish tend to be sluggish in the colder water. Be willing to fish deeper water if the temps drop below 68 degrees. Working your lures or bait slower along the bottom will give the fish more time to react to it and will result in more bites for anglers. We have enjoyed more normal winter weather and the fish bite has been good for us. Winds will still be blowing, and the water will begin to gradually rise in temperature. Have fun this month and get out fishing

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

Good Fishing,
Captain Charlie Conner

www.fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com

January Fishing Forecast

2020-01-10T16:46:00.000-05:00

January Fishing Forecast

Hard to believe that another year has arrived! Happy New Year! January should provide anglers with lots of exciting action this year. Fishing in deeper water will provide you with better results on most days. Working your lures and baits much slower will also give you a better chance at success. Fish tend to become lethargic in cold water and are slow in moving to strike at lures. Finding water that is a couple degrees warmer than the surrounding area can also give you an edge on finding fish. Water temperatures have been mild so far.

Redfish can be found around docks and sitting on the flats on warm, sunny days. Try a DOA shrimp around mangroves and docks for reds. The trout bite has greatly improved this past year and it should continue to get better. Snook season is closed for now and it will continue to be catch and release. Bridges, docks and the inlets will be the best opportunities to catch snook this month.

Bridges will continue to produce sheepshead, black drum, croakers, sand perch and bluefish. Most of the anglers on the catwalks prefer live or frozen shrimp for these fish. The drum and sheepshead have once again arrived early, and action has already been steady for these tasty fish. The inlet and turning basin will be full of bluefish, jacks and mackerel this month. Live or dead bait on a jig head will give you plenty of action along with silver spoons or shiny lures. Around seawalls, channel edges or deeper structure you can find grouper for catch and release action in January. Pompano fishing will depend on water temperatures for their location, but they will be in the area throughout the winter. Surf anglers will be targeting these fish on days when the beach is fishable. Enjoy fishing in January on the Treasure Coast!

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

Have a wonderful 2020!
Thanks and Good Fishing!

Captain Charlie Conner
www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

December Fishing Forecast

2019-12-08T04:02:00.000-05:00

December Fishing Forecast

This year has flown by! Here it is December already and the Holidays are almost upon us. Both inshore and offshore fishing have provided anglers with many great fishing adventures. We managed the hurricane season with some luck. You can see the seagrass making a comeback to the Treasure Coast. Hopefully, this winter will be milder, the water quality improves, and the fishing is great for everyone.

Trout,redfish and snook will be targets throughout the winter. Snook season closes December 15th, but many anglers will still play catch and release with them. Fishing around bridges, docks and inlets can bring great action with snook hanging around the deeper waters of the river. Trout will tend to hang around the deeper cuts of the river. Move off to three to six feet of water for trout. Live shrimp on popping corks or DOA Deadly Combos will work the best for them.

Redfish can be found around local docks during the winter months and a live shrimp or DOA Shrimp can entice them into striking. Don't forget about the deeper cuts along the mangroves for redfish and snook in December. Using stealth is essential when fishing the shallow waters for redfish. We had very good success at finding the reds in shallow on sunny days on the grass flats. A mild winter will have them feeding in the shallows this month. It was a fantastic

Pompano are already arriving in the area and not only provide great fishing action, but fantastic table fare. Spanish mackerel and bluefish will continue to hang out in their favorite haunts of the river. Jack Crevalle will be traveling around in packs chasing bait all over the river. Flounder should arrive soon and hang around the inlets, docks and sandy flats of the river. Ladyfish is a great way to spend a few hours with the kids on the water. The bridges will be holding sheepshead, black drum, croakers and sand perch for those anglers. There is a good variety of fish to target on any given day in any kind of weather conditions.

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

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Captain Charlie Conner

www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

My son, Joe, was out to visit in November and this was his first catch...a nice seatrout!

Some of the action for November!

October Fishing Forecast

2019-10-09T13:00:00.000-04:00

October Fishing Forecast – Treasure Coast

We transition into fall this month and the water will begin slowly cooling down for winter. It has been a warm year, so don’t expect a huge temperature difference. October provides great weather and hungry fish. Plan on enjoying this month. It’s a fantastic month to be fishing!

The fall mullet run will start winding down, but there will still be lots of hungry predators out there chasing them around the river and along the beaches. . Live finger mullet, croakers and pigfish will be the best live baits to use. DOA Terror Eyz and Bait Busters will be good artificial lures to use for snook. Try around the docks, jetties, turning basin and bridges docks around the river. Lighted docks are especially productive when fishing at night.

Redfish has continued to be a good bite for us again this year. Their population continues to grow and provide some awesome action for anglers around Fort Pierce. October will continue to be a productive month for those who seek redfish on the flats. The DOA 2 3/4“ shrimp or CAL grub tails are two of the best choices for redfish along with a variety of live and cut baits.

The trout bite will be good this month. Get out early with a top water lure for some exciting action on the river. Switch to a DOA shrimp or CAL jerk bait later in the mornings. Harbor Branch, Queen's Cove and Middle Cove are all great areas to fish for trout around the Treasure Coast. Look for some sheephead, black drum and snapper to be moving in around the bridges, docks and channel edges. The surf will be alive with jacks, snook, bluefish and other predators, which will all be chasing the bait schools along the beach. Croakers and whiting will also be hanging along the beaches. It's another great month to fish along the Treasure Coast! Have fun and get out fishing soon!

As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!

Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner

http://www.fishtalescharter.com
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

September Fishing Forecast

2019-09-05T06:42:00.001-04:00

September Fishing Forecast

As Hurricane Dorian continues on its destructive path along the east coast,, we give thanks that we were spared the brunt of the storm. The water is churned up and will take a while to clear up again. Our neighbors in the Bahamas did not fare well and can use all the aid that we can give. Make sure you donate to one of the many charities that are helping get relief to the affected islands.

August was another hot month! September will continue to be warm, but the fishing is always exciting. It’s a great time of year to target tarpon, snook and redfish around the Treasure Coast. Lots of bait has arrived to the area and the predators are chasing it both in the river and on the beach. Water temperatures will continue to be warm, it’s always best to fish early or late in the day. The fall mullet run begins this month and that will bring exciting action to the area. I love fishing in September!

Snook season opens again on September 1st. Make sure you are prepared for the season and check your equipment. It’s always good to check your license and snook stamp, too. Live bait, DOA Terror Eyz and assorted other favorites used around jetties, bridges and sea walls can get you hooked up to that slot fish.

Look for redfish around docks and mangroves this month. They like the shade these areas offer and you can get a nice redfish fishing live bait, DOA shrimp and CAL grub tails. The trout bite improved this year and you can find some nice fish around Bear Point, Harbor Branch or Round Island flats. Fish top water early and switch to DOA shrimp or CAL jerk baits as the sun warms up.

Fish the bait schools! It's easy to spot the bait this time of year. If you don't find bait around your favorite fishing spot, you will most likely not find many fish there. Move around if you need to in order to find active bait. Fish love this time of year and they are out there gorging themselves on the bait in anticipation of the coming winter months. Water temperatures will begin to mellow out and will get back to normal. It's a great time of year to be fishing!

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

Good Fishing and be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner

www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

August Fishing Forecast

2019-08-02T14:38:00.000-04:00

August Fishing Forecast

The dog days of August have arrived, and you can bet on hot muggy weather for the Treasure Coast. Make sure you take the usual precautions of sunscreen and hydration when outside this time of year. Lobster season will be the most anticipated event this month and you can bet there will be lots of anglers out in search of the spiny critters when the season opens. Look for afternoon thunderstorms and plan your fishing for early mornings or late evenings for best results. Enjoy fishing in August!

Trout, snapper and redfish will be the best opportunities this month. Get your favorite top water lures ready for some good trout action on the flats. Follow up with a DOA CAL jerk bait as the sun rises on a light jig head. Water quality has been good so far this year and you can find plenty of grass flats to fish. Harbor Branch, Queen’s Cove and Bear Point have all been productive so far this year. Look for snapper and redfish around docks and mangroves. Live bait or a DOA shrimp can help you find a nice slot redfish in August. It has been a good summer for redfish already.

Tarpon will be moving into the river along with many other species. Look around the turning basin for the tarpon action with live bait or a DOA Terror Eyz. Snook will be active around the jetties and bridges. Channel edges will be active with snapper and sheepshead. The glass minnow schools will be moving into the area this month and it will bring a host of hungry predators chasing them. Lots exciting action awaits Treasure Coast anglers this month!

Remember, as always, fishing is not just another hobby……it's an ADVENTURE!

Good Fishing,
Captain Charlie Conner

www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

South Indian River July Fishing Forecast

2019-07-07T04:40:00.002-04:00

July Fishing Forecast

July has arrived and it brings hot weather, festive parties and some great fishing action to the Treasure Coast. Getting out early or late is a must to beat the heat of the day. Action will begin at first light and late in the evenings. Water temperatures are warm so look for docks and mangroves that provide shade to help the fish cope with the hot weather.

I like to fish docks and mangroves in July. Redfish like the shade and a DOA shrimp can help you hook up on a nice red. Docks are usually very productive all year for us. Top water lures are good to use early on the flats. There have been some nice trout this year and it’s a great way to target them on the grass flats. I am seeing lots of grass north of Fort Pierce and the schoolie trout have been thick. With snook season being closed, I generally try not to target them in summer.

There will be larger snapper in the river around structure and along channel edges. Bridges will be producing snapper, drum and sheepshead during July. Live or dead shrimp will be hard for them to resist. Watch the tides and fish the slower sides of them for best results. Whiting will continue to be in the surf with the occasional bluefish and Spanish mackerel. Sharks will be patrolling along the beach also. Watch for the glass minnow schools to flood into the river and you will find lots of action surrounding these tasty morsels! Jacks, Spanish mackerel and bonito are a few of the fish that love to feast on the glass minnows.

Fish deeper water as the sun warms things up. I like channel edges for a variety of species as the water temps get into the upper eighties. Incoming tides will bring in cooler water and that’s a good time to fish! Try Harbor Branch, Queen’s Cove and Bear Point this month for some good action. Enjoy fishing in July!

Remember, as always, fishing is not just another hobby……it’s an ADVENTURE!

Good Fishing,
Captain Charlie Conner

www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

Richie and Kyle went 3 for 7 on redfish.

June Fishing Forecast

2019-06-01T08:06:00.000-04:00

June Fishing Forecast

June brings about hot summer days and great fishing action around the Treasure Coast. It’s a time to get out early or late in the day and avoid the afternoon heat. Winds will be the calmest of the year so far and water temperatures will be in the mid to high eighties most days. June is an awesome month to enjoy the fishing in the area.

Redfish, trout, snook and tarpon will be the main targets this month. Redfish will be hanging around mangroves, grass flats and docks. DOA shrimp or CAL shad tails are the perfect lures to target reds. I like root beer or copper colors. Most of the redfish will be slot sized fish. Trout will be feeding on the grass flats both early and late in the day. Top water lures are the best choices for trout with switching to DOA paddle tails once the sun rises up high. Start shallow and move out to 3-5 feet as the temperature heats up. The DOA Deadly Combo is a great way to search out the sea trout on the flats.

Snook will be found around bridges, inlets and sea walls in June. Live bait or DOA Terror Eyz are great ways to fish for snook. Don’t forget that the season is closed, so handle the fish carefully and get them released quickly. Night fishing will also be one of the best times to snook fish. Look for tarpon along the beaches, inlets and channels. Live and cut bait or DOA Terror Eyz are some of the popular choices for tarpon. Look for jacks, ladyfish and mackerel in the inlets as well.

Make sure you take plenty of water with you. It will be hot out there. Drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated and reduce the risk of heat stroke. Slather on lots of sunscreen! Sunburn isn’t a good feeling at the end of a good day of fishing. A little common sense and a few minutes can a big difference. Make that part of preparations for your adventures on the water. It will just make a great day even better!

Remember, as always, fishing is not just another hobby……it’s an ADVENTURE!

Good Fishing,
Captain Charlie Conner

www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

May Fishing Forecast

2019-05-02T17:26:00.000-04:00

May Fishing Forecast for the Treasure Coast

Inshore:

The winds of spring will be leaving us soon, and May brings warm temperatures and lots of great fishing action around the Treasure Coast. Water temps have risen, and the fish are hungry this month. April provided us with some great fishing action with lots of old friends and many new ones this year. I had the company of lots of kids this year and it is always fun to watch the smiles on their faces. May is one of my favorite months to fish with many opportunities to catch lots of different species.

One of my favorite fish to target this month is redfish. They will be more active this month and you can fish for them around docks, mangroves and grass flats. Some good choices for lures will be gold spoons and the DOA 2 ¾” shrimp. Redfish will be active on the grass flats through most of the day. They also like to hang under docks and mangroves as the heat of the day arrives.

Snook fishing will be good this month with night or early morning the best times to fish tor linesiders. The season will close May 31st so it will be the last chance for a slot fish before fall. The inlet, bridges, seawalls and docks are all great places to target snook. Live bait, DOA Bait Busters and feather jigs are among the most popular favorites with snook anglers.

Trout will feed on top water at first light and live shrimp on popping corks during the day. As the sun rises, head off the shallow flats to deeper water in the two to four-foot range. We have had some nice gator trout of late and should see some still big trout throughout the month of May. I have had great success with CAL jerk baits and Deadly Combos this year in place of live shrimp. If you are using live baits, try big shrimp or pilchards on the flats. Look for clean water and good grass to have your best results.

Bridges will hold sheepshead and drum, while snapper will be moving into the river along with flounder. Jacks and ladyfish will be just about everywhere creating havoc all over the river. Beaches will produce whiting with catches of Spanish mackerel and bluefish along with some pompano. Tarpon will begin their trek into the river and you can start looking for them in the St Lucie River, Big and Little Mud areas and the channels of the river. May is a great month to fish the Treasure Coast!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!

Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner

http://www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

Some recent action with Captain Charlie

April Fishing Forecast

2019-04-01T14:57:00.000-04:00

Treasure Coast Fishing Forecast - April 2019

April is here on the Treasure Coast and brings Spring conditions to the area. Mild temperatures and windy days will be the norm this month. Fishing will be very productive as bait fills the river and the fish are hungry. It has been a mild winter and I am always excited to welcome Spring back again. Have fun and enjoy the fishing!

The grass flats will be active with trout and redfish. I love using a DOA Deadly Combo in April to locate the fish. There will also be pompano cruising the deeper flats. Doc’s Goofy Jigs are great pompano lures when they are in the river. Mackerel, bluefish and jacks will be plentiful around the inlets and channels this month. Small shiny lures will find you some action. April will bring lots of opportunities to the area.

Snook fishing will continue to be good this month. Inlets, bridges and sea walls can give you a good chance at catching a slot fish. DOA Bait Busters, feather jigs, live pilchards or pinfish are all excellent choices for snook fishing. There are many great areas to fish so plan on getting some fishing in this month.

Bridges will continue to hold sheephead, jacks, bluefish and some black drum. The sheepshead were in early and many have already left the river. The warmer water this year has progressed things earlier than normal, but there are still plenty of fish to be caught. Docks will hold the same fish and an excellent chance at hooking up with a redfish. The surf will hold whiting, pompano and a host of other fish feeding on the bait schools along the beaches.

April is the first month that fish can enjoy all the many baitfish schools and they will be feeding heavily on the schools around the flats. With the mild winter the water temperatures have remained mild and will be warming up more this month. Expect lots of action all around the area and enjoy fishing in April.

As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!

Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner

http://www.fishtalescharter.com
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

Some catch photos from March!

March Fishing Forecast

2019-03-04T04:51:00.001-05:00

Inshore:

March always comes in like a lion! You can expect windy days, but much warmer as we transition into spring. Chances of rain are on the increase so watch the weather and plan your adventures carefully. Water temps will be on the rise this month and you can expect lots of exciting action around the Treasure Coast.

Trout will be moving onto the shallow grass flats as the sun warms things up. Try a DOA Deadly Combo or live shrimp on a popping cork to locate trout. A DOA CAL will also work well this month. Look for redfish to be around mangroves and docks. A DOA shrimp is always a good choice for reds. Sheepshead, drum and snapper will be along channel edges and docks and willing to take a live shrimp. Snook fishing will pick up around the inlets, bridges and docks. Live pilchards are a favorite bait in March. Mackerel, bluefish, jacks and many other predators will be coming in with the tides and feeding around the inlets and channels of the river. Small shiny lures work best for these fish.
Pompano are in the river and along the surf and willing to take a Doc’s Goofy Jig, shrimp or sand fleas. They usually can be found in channels and deeper parts of the flats in March. We have had great success on croakers the past few years. There will be nice sized fish in the river and along the beaches feeding with whiting. They are fun to catch and super to eat!

Spring is almost here already. Winter wasn’t so bad even though we complain about it. It’s a good time to check equipment. Both fishing and the boat should be checked a few times a year to make sure everything is in good working order. Some of these windy days will provide a good chance to check rods, reels and safety gear for when good weather arrives. Have a great March in 2019!

As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!

Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner

http://www.fishtalescharter.com
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

South Indian River Fishing Report 2/19

2019-02-19T07:14:00.000-05:00

Inshore:

February has been a warm month with some record highs in many areas of the Treasure Coast. It has been a mild winter so far and Spring is almost here already. Water temperatures are in the low to mid seventies and the fish have been biting. Windy conditions are the norm this time of year so plan your fishing accordingly. Look for the rest of February to continue with these conditions.

Variety has provided us with some awesome days lately. I guess the best bite has been sheepshead which is typical this month. John, Wayne and Carroll were out with me this past week and found them cooperating. The guys caught over thirty sheepshead and most of them in one spot. Tim and Emily were out with me also and found a good assortment of fish in spite of the winds picking up that afternoon. Some nice drum along with sheepshead, lots of bluefish & mackerel and many other fish to make for a fun fishing day. Lillian, Mary and my wife, Eva, joined me for a quick morning trip. Again the variety makes for some fun fishing. The croaker bite has picked up with some nice sized fish out there. Great eating and they give a good fight.

Look for structure to be very productive this month. Sheepshead, drum, snapper and lots of other fish can be found around bridges, docks and channel edges. Bluefish, jacks and mackerel will be coming in with the tides and chasing bait. Tim and Emily caught lots of them on bare jig heads. Snook have been biting around the jetties, bridges and sea walls this week. Our trout have been in deep cuts this week. Redfish are hanging around mangroves and docks. The pompano are still in the river on the grass flats in three to five feet of water. Enjoy the fishing the rest of the month and get out soon.

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

Good Fishing,
Captain Charlie Conner

www.fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com

February Fishing Forecast

2019-02-04T12:36:00.000-05:00

February Fishing Forecast

Hard to believe that Valentines Day is just around the corner… Don’t forget your sweetheart and enjoy the fishing this month. Winter is well established, and you can expect weekly cold fronts to blow through the area bringing windy days and cool temperatures with them. Water temps will fluctuate this month and you must adapt to the changes for better success.

The trout bite has picked up and we are seeing more sea grass growing on the flats. I like to use a DOA Deadly Combo when looking for sea trout. Look for redfish around docks and mangroves. We have already had good success finding redfish this year and it should prove to be another banner year for them. Snook fishing will be best at night around the bridges and jetties. Live bait or a DOA Bait Buster will be good choices.

Sheepshead are plentiful this month. You can find them along with black drum and snapper hanging under docks or along channel edges. Live or dead shrimp always works well. It has been a good bite so far. Pompano can be found along beaches, in deeper areas of the grass flats and in channels. Doc’s Goofy Jigs are great for pompano with live shrimp and sand fleas good choices, too. Mackerel, jacks, bluefish and ladyfish will all be coming in with the tides and small shiny lures will work best for them.

We have enjoyed more normal winter weather and the fish bite has been good for us. Winds will still be blowing and the water will begin to gradually rise in temperature. Fishing your lures slowly will certainly give you more action on the river. Fish tend to be sluggish in the colder water. Be willing to fish deeper water if the temps drop below 68 degrees. Working your lures or bait slower along the bottom will give the fish more time to react to it and will result in more bites for anglers. Have fun this month and get out fishing

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

Good Fishing,
Captain Charlie Conner

www.fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com

South Indian River Fishing Report 1/22

2019-01-22T10:57:00.001-05:00

It has been awesome weather so far in January! Days can be windy and cool, but overall it has been beautiful on the water. Water temps are in the mid 60's lately and that usually means deeper water for better results. As the day warms up, you can fish shallower water when the fish move up onto the grass flats. Expect those weekly cold fronts to move through the Treasure Coast and keep the water cooler this month. Winter is a short time for us and spring will be here soon.

The Treasure Coast Casters had their monthly tournament and the kids all had a great time. You can go to their Facebook page for the results of the tournament. If you have kids or grandkids in school who love to fish....check out the Treasure Coast Casters! The kids have a wonderful time and learn boating and fishing and have a good chance at winning some super prizes and trophies. You can call Cammie Ward at 772-201-5773. I had Nick and Bruce this month. The boys caught lots of fish, but they were all too small the check in. Lots of black drum and snapper along with a nice trigger fish and red grouper to add to the catch. Everyone had a fun day!

Look for trout to be on the grass flats as the water warms up in three to five feet of water. Our redfish have been hanging under docks along with drum, sheepshead and snapper. Channel edges and bridges have been good for snapper, sheepshead and drum. Mackerel, jacks and ladyfish have been coming in with the tides. Offshore has been good for sailfish when you can get out. Bottom fishing has also been good when the seas allow. It's winter....so you have to work with the weather for best results!

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

Good fishing!
Captain Charlie Conner

www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

South Indian River Fishing Report 1/15

2019-01-15T09:54:00.001-05:00

January has been much kinder to us this year. Last year, it was rough weather the first half of the month and a challenge to get out. Milder temperatures have been nice to enjoy and the fishing has been very good so far. Expect similar conditions for a while with weekly cold fronts to cool things down a little. You should look for lots of windy days this time of year and plan your outdoor adventures with that in mind. Water temperatures are still mild for the season. Enjoy the rest of the month and get out fishing!

We have enjoyed a good variety of fish so far. Black drum, redfish and sheepshead around the docks have been good to us. Dave and Cheryl were visiting the area and had a fantastic morning fishing the docks. Dave landed three redfish and they teamed up for several nice drum and sheepshead before heading out to the channel edges to play with snapper, ladyfish and jacks for a while. Dave missed several good snook bites as well for a action filled morning on the water.

Spanish mackerel have been coming in with the tides along with bluefish, jacks and ladyfish. Small shiny lures work best for all of these fish. Docks, channel edges and bridges are loaded with sheepshead, drum and snapper this time of year. Winter fishing is always fun and exciting! Pompano have been in the deeper cuts on the flats and in the channels as well. Doc's Goofy Jigs work great on finding pompano. They have also been in the surf along with lots of whiting. Look north around Harbor Branch to find trout on the grass flats and try a DOA Deadly Combo when looking for the trout bite. Plan on getting out fishing soon!

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

Good fishing!
Captain Charlie Conner

www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

South Indian River Fishing Report 1/8

2019-01-08T09:10:00.002-05:00

As we begin 2019, let's hope that this year will bring about change to help the water quality on the Treasure Coast. Last year had it's challenges, but we ended up on a high note as I see the sea grass and water quality improving with the fairly dry winter months. It has been a mild winter and water temperatures have been in the low to mid seventies so far. Winds can be very challenging this time of year, so plan your outdoor adventures accordingly. Enjoy the awesome January fishing this month.

The winter fish have arrived and that means lots of exciting action and many different fish to target. Dave and Cody were back this year to enjoy the fishing. They caught redfish, snook, drum, sheepshead, snapper and pompano along with many other species on some beautiful mornings on the Indian River. Al, Tim and Ryan found drum,sheepshead, croakers and snapper to make for a fun river adventure. Don, Lexi, Sammi, Stacy and Ely found whiting, snapper and sheepshead to top off their catch on a very windy day. Sherman had his family visiting and we took three boats of the kids fishing and found a good variety of fish for them to enjoy. All the family came down for the holidays to also celebrate Sherman's 90th birthday a little early. It has been a fun week on the water.

Pompano have been in deeper water around the river. Doc's goofy jigs, sand fleas or live shrimp have all worked well. Docks have been filled with snapper, sheepshead and drum. You can also find redfish hanging under the docks as well. Snook fishing around the jetties and bridges has been best at night. We are catching smaller snook around some of the docks. Croakers and whiting have been coming into the river and can be found around channel edges or deep cuts. Try a DOA Deadly Combo on the grass flats when searching for trout or redfish. I love this time of year and the variety of fish available around the river.

Watch the weather and dress in layers to cope with cooler temperatures early and to stay comfortable as things warm up later in the day. January should be a very productive month this year. Thanks for everyone for making 2018 a successful year for me. I appreciate those who read my reports and hope I have helped improve your fishing!

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

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Captain Charlie Conner

www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

January Fishing Forecast

2019-01-02T04:36:00.000-05:00

January Fishing Forecast

The holidays are over and 2019 is upon us already. Winter arrived a little early this year and the cold fronts have cooled the water down quite a bit already. January is traditionally a cold month for the Treasure Coast and the weekly fronts will bring a few days of cooling things down for us to deal with. Wearing layers is essential to cope with the temperature swings that can be as much as 40 degrees or more. Plan your fishing according to the weather forecasts and enjoy the fishing.

Lots of species are in the river this month. Pompano, sheepshead, drum and Spanish mackerel are all winter fish that arrive here as the water temps drop. It’s an awesome time of year! Fishing channel edges can find these fish lurking for an easy meal. I like jigs in these places for our best results. Bridges and docks will also be great places to target drum, sheepshead and redfish. Try a DOA shrimp or live bait when fishing these areas. Don’t forget mangroves for redfish and snook as well. Spanish mackerel will generally come in with the tides and can be found around the inlet areas. Small shiny lures work best on them.

Water temperatures can determine where you fish and how your fish. Winds will give you another factor to adjust to. As temps drop, move to deeper water areas for your best opportunities for catching fish. Channel edges are particularly productive in winter. Fish the grass flats for redfish and trout as the sun gets higher in the mornings. DOA Deadly Combos are excellent tools for searching out trout and reds.

January is typically a windy month and it will continue the tradition if recent weather gives you an insight to the coming month. You might enjoy one or two days a week that is calmer but expect it to be windy most days. Using the right ramps can make your day a little easier in dealing with the weather. There are many ramps around the area that allow you to launch depending on wind direction. The river can be rough some days, but you can still fish most days if you plan your trips carefully. It is a great month to fish despite weather conditions that might not be to your liking. 2018 was an outstanding year for us and I expect this year to be even better!

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

Have a wonderful 2019!
Thanks and Good Fishing!
Captain Charlie Conner

www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

South Indian River Fishing Report 12/20

2018-12-20T06:25:00.000-05:00

Inshore:

The Holidays are here already. I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday Season this year. It has been a typical winter so far around the Treasure Coast. Weekly cold fronts bring cooler temperatures to the area for a few days and then things warm back up again. Water temps will fluctuate this time of year and that can affect the fishing. You must be willing to change tactics on any given day and move to areas where water temps will be more favorable. When the water cools down, move to deeper areas for best results. I love winter with all the different species that migrate to the area. You have so many choice on what to fish for and it gives you alternatives to cope with weather patterns.

I had my wife, Eva, and her two sisters out this past week. They came down from up north to visit before the holidays and also to get out of the cold weather for a few days. Carol and Judy don't fish very often and it was actually Judy's first time fishing. We drifted channels for an action filled time for the girls to enjoy and then had a boat ride to finish out the morning. I think they had a lot of fun and caught lots of fish! Otherwise, I have been laid up at home the past several days after having cataract surgery. I can actually see again and probably won't need glasses after wearing them since I was sixteen! I'm excited about that.

The pompano, sheepshead, drum and mackerel are in the river now and you can find plenty of exciting action this time of year. You can fish for them in a variety of ways now and they are all great table fare. Live shrimp, DOA grub tails, Fish Bites or small shiny lures can all get you in on the great fishing around the Treasure Coast. It's an awesome time of year so plan on getting out soon!

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

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Captain Charlie Conner

www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

South Indian River Fishing Report 12/13

2018-12-13T07:23:00.000-05:00

Inshore:

Winter certainly has arrived! Our weekly cold fronts has just dropped more 40 degree nights upon us. Make sure you dress in layers when outdoors this time of year as the daytime will still warm up quite a bite. Water temps have fell into the sixties this week, but will gradually warm up once the cold fronts have passed. It's a typical winter weather pattern so far.

I had Timo join me this past week. It was a windy morning, but we found some nice fish in spite of challenging conditions. A few nice sheepshead, croakers and mackerel were cooperating along with snapper, jacks and several other species to make for a good day fishing. My wife, Eva, joined me with her childhood best friend, Lillian, and their friend, Mary for a boat ride around the river. It turned into a fishing adventure for the girls. They couldn't remember the last time they had fished, but did great and caught lots of fish. Mutton snapper, jacks and blue runners kept them busy for a few hours before we ventured on with our sight seeing trip. Paul and Walter joined me on a breezy morning and the guys found the drum biting good. They landed nine and had a few breakoffs along with sheepshead, snapper, jacks and others to make for a fun morning on the river. Don, Art and Sherman were back up to fish this month. They caught some nice sheepshead along with snapper, grouper and a host of other fish. Sherman landed four snook to 24" as well. It was another fun week on the Indian River. It was another fun week on the water.

Sheepshead, black drum, pompano and mackerel are all moving into the area for winter. It makes for some exciting days and most are great table fare. Look for drum, snapper and sheepshead around bridges, docks and channel edges. Snook fishing around the inlets have been good with the cooler water this week. Look for redfish around mangroves and docks this time of year. DOA Shrimp is a great way to fish for reds. Try a Deadly Combo on the grass flats to locate trout. Pompano are generally in deeper water and Doc's Goofy Jigs work great with pomp fishing. Try beaches, channels, deeper grass flats or the inlets. Mackerel, jacks and ladyfish will be coming in with the tides and you can generally find them with small shiny lures. It's a great time of year to enjoy the fishing along the Treasure Coast.

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

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Captain Charlie Conner

www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

December Fishing Forecast

2018-12-05T07:15:00.000-05:00

December Fishing Forecast:

Here it is December already and the Holidays are almost upon us. Where has this year gone? I must say 2018 has been another great year for fishing all along the Treasure Coast. Both inshore and offshore have provided anglers with many great fishing adventures. The hurricanes left us alone this year and we anxiously await to see if our newly elected officials will work on the water issues for us. Hopefully, this winter will be milder, the water quality improves, and the fishing is great for everyone.

December brings on the winter months and changes fishing tactics on the river. The water temperatures continue to fall and your fishing must adjust to the weather. Water temps can dictate where you fish and how you fish. Finding water a few degrees warmer than normal can mean the difference in catching and fishing. We will get many days of breezy winds that will hinder getting to some favorite spots out there. That's one of the reasons I love fishing in this area....you can always find somewhere to fish! Not only does the cooler weather affect the fish, it also requires us to dig out the ol' winter fishing clothes. I’m not too proud to get out the long johns on a cold winter day. It can get pretty chilly some mornings!

Trout, redfish and snook will be targets throughout the winter. Snook season closes December 15th, but many anglers will still play catch and release with them. Fishing around bridges, docks and inlets can bring great action with snook hanging around the deeper waters of the river. Using live bait, DOA Baitbusters & TerrorEyz, jigs and bomber lures can help you catch one worth a photo opportunity. Trout will tend to hang around the deeper cuts of the river. Move off to three to six feet of water for trout. Live shrimp on popping corks or DOA Deadly Combos will work the best for them. I love to work DOA CAL jerk baits or CAL Air Heads this time of year on the flats. You can also find snook and redfish hanging around those areas as well.

Pompano have already arrived in the area and not only provide great fishing action, but fantastic table fare. Spanish mackerel and bluefish will continue to hang out in their favorite haunts of the river. Fish the inlet, turning basin and channels for them. Jack Crevalle will be traveling around in packs chasing bait all over the river. Flounder should arrive soon and hang around the inlets, docks and sandy flats of the river. Ladyfish is a great way to spend a few hours with the kids on the water. The bridges will be holding sheephead, black drum, croakers and sand perch for those anglers. Live or dead shrimp is always the best bet from the catwalks. There is a good variety of fish to target on any given day in any kind of weather conditions.

Redfish can be found around local docks during the winter months and a live shrimp or DOA Shrimp can entice them into striking. Don't forget about the deeper cuts along the mangroves for redfish and snook in December. Using stealth is essential when fishing the shallow waters for redfish. We had very good success at finding the reds in shallow on sunny days on the grass flats. A mild winter will have them feeding in the shallows this month. It was a fantastic redfish bite all last winter and I am looking for it to be just as good this year.

Winter fishing is already here. Change your tactics with the weather and follow the water temperatures more closely to make your fishing more productive. Let’s make 2019 the year that we see improvements to the water quality in our area. If we all do our share to protect our rivers, we can insure the future generations will enjoy the same experiences we have been blessed with.

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

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Captain Charlie Conner

www.fishtalescharter.com
captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852

South Indian River Fishing Report 11/28

2018-11-28T17:05:00.000-05:00

Inshore:

Nice weather continues along the Treasure Coast this week. Temperatures have become milder and the water temps are in the mid 70's this week. Winter fishing should prove to be an awesome bite this year. Some of the winter fish have already started to arrive to the area. It can be challenging with the weather, but productive if you use it to your advantage. Look for some windy days ahead and enjoy the fishing this winter!

The black drum have been coming in strong and bite has been good for us most days. Nolan had a good day with his dad and they landed 12 drum that were all in the slot size. We ended up with a few sheepshead, one nice triggerfish, a big mackerel and lots of snapper to finish off a good day on the water. All fish were released this week. We lost several good fish that broke us off or threw the hook. Most of our fish have come from channel edges and docks this week. Look for redfish around docks as well this time of year. Snook fishing has been good mostly at night. Pompano will be showing up soon and anglers will be happy about that. The mackerel have been coming in with the tides and been decent sized lately. You can find jacks and ladyfish in many places. There have been whiting in the surf this week. Perfect for the kids!

As winter sets in and we get the weekly cold fronts, make sure you are changing your fishing habits to fit the conditions. Water temperature will help show you where you might fish. A couple degrees in temperature can mean the difference having a successful day. Wintertime fishing is very good in our area, but you must watch the conditions and plan your fishing carefully. Good luck in December.

As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!

Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner

http://www.fishtalescharter.com
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852