Yours truly with a snook just 1/8th of an inch too short to invite home for dinner.
The life of a fishing guide is far more complex than the average person believes it to be. It becomes even more complex for the maturing guide as we reach what most Americans call retirement age. Beyond the obvious factors of managing a small business, we “seasoned” guides must also deal with our aging bodies and body parts as they slowly wear out and require additional maintenance…
My current issue in year 2020 has been vision and I’m right now in the final weeks of healing from cataract surgery earlier this month and a lens repositioning surgery on my other eye before this. These two surgeries have kept me land bound for the past couple of months. Yes, I’m itching to get back on the water very soon and this is what I expect to encounter once I do!
We’re still in the fall mullet run time frame and I’m seeing silver mullet at the Fort Pierce inlet/jetty, though in much smaller numbers than last month. Jacks, snook and the occasional pompano, Spanish mackerel or bluefish are being caught. The dirty water conditions as of late have likely slowed the bite. Once the waters clear up again I think the action will pick up quite a bit!
The beach activity will also improve as the waters clear and while we still have more snook and tarpon activity to enjoy the big news will be pompano. They are already showing even though most are under the minimum length requirement. The slot fish will show soon so get your surf rods ready!
The snook activity in the backwater areas of the Indian River was pretty decent before I was forced to temporarily hang up my gear. I fully expect to resume catching them once the doctor green-lights me for active duty. I also expect to continue catching them until cold weather makes them sluggish.
Another inshore pattern will be finding pompano along the ICW spoil islands, sand bars and flats. If you notice one or better yet, several skipping across the water as you’re putting across the flats it’s a signal to turn off the motor and start fishing.
Two and three hook surf rigs baited with sand fleas are a staple offering. Small pieces of shrimp or clam often work as well as the fleas. Traditional pompano jigs, “goofy” jigs and very small spoons will usually catch the more aggressive and active pomps without having to deal with the catfish and other non-desirables. Expect to have ladyfish activity too if you’ve decided to toss the jig!
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