Inlet Remains Clear of Sargassum

Good morning all you fishing fans out there! Hope everybody had a great weekend despite the bad storms we had that rolled through. Not a whole lot of people were out fishing this past weekend because of that. Here we go with the report for the inlet. Starting off, the good news is that all the sargassum weed is STILL gone! No weeds to contend with! For the most part the inlet is still pretty active with all the small bait fish that are starting to show up, and along with it the preditators. There has been mullet running the beaches and, in the inlet, small schools of minnows and greenies everywhere, especially in the back of the inlet, and along the shorelines. The water has been pretty clean for the most part, and has warmed up to closer to where it should be for this time of the year. 82 is what I’m seeing along ourcoast. That’s a good sign. So here is the break down.

Over here the bite has been pretty good in the early morning high tide. Some nice spanish mackerel were caught on live greenies freeline under a bobber of some sort, or without. Most of the fish were in the 15-16 inch range. Also the lookdowns were still biting on small green or white jigs fished around the rocks at the tip. Some catch and release snook were also eing caught on live majorras and the small croakers. For those fishing with dead shrimp there have been some atlantic spadefish still around. This is the time of year when they usually show up in large schools and can be seen swimming around the jetty. There have been some small mangrove snapper being caught as well on live greenies or cut dead greenies along the pilings and at the tip in the rocks. Most of them are right at the 10 inch mark or just under and have to be released. Just a few have made the cut to go home. Also there have been some lady fish around to keep it busy for some folks. Not a good eating fish, but fun to catch because they jump so much. Some people call them the “poor mans tarpon”. They will bite anything thrown out. Outgoing tide at the tip has been mostly catch and release snook and some redfish on live baits of all flavors. Jack crevalle, blue runners, catfish and stingrays make up the list of guests as well. Some small mangrove snappers are being caught as well fishing live and cut greenies in the rocks. And again as I mentioned in my last report, the big barracudas are starting to show up cruising around the jetty looking for a quick meal! So watch out if you hook a mackerel or snapper as they just might get it from you!

Over here the action has mostly been on the incoming tide where the catch and release snook and redfish are playing well. Live baits of all sorts are getting the bite. Also I did see some small tarpon hooked, and or caught in the evenings on swim baits. Reminder folks, these fish are protected, and according to the FWC laws, any fish over 40 inches is NOT supposed to be removed from the water for any reason, even pics. I did hear again of a couple more flounder being caught on this side, beach area is the spot when the water is clean. Small white feather jigs and rubber swim baits. Most were around the 14-15 inch range for the summer flounder. Outgoing tide at the tip has been all about the black margates, blue runners and jack crevalle. For those fishing live majorras and croakers, the catch and release snook have been playing too. Stingrays and catfish have been around as well, especially when the water dirties up.

Back here it has been kind of good with the snappers around the dock pilings. Cut baits and small greenies are accounting for the catches, shrimp will work as well. Most of the fish caught are the mangroves, but have been too small to keep, just at or under the 10 inch minimum. Als there have been some small muttons caught, but they too have been under the 18 inch minimum to keep. On the incoming tide there have been some nice spanish mackerel caught on the live greenies and small white jigs fished on ultra light tackle. Blue runners, jack crevalle and some ladyfish are around also to keep things interesting. For those that like the snook fishing, incoming and the first of the outgoing have been good for catch and release. Live majorra and croakers are the baits for them.

For the most part even with the offshore winds and calm surf, the water has still been a little silted up. If you can find some clean water and a good trough line some pompano and whiting are a possibility. Sand fleas and cut shrimp will work for them. If you do find some clean water be on the lookout for schools of glass minnows as it is that time of the year they start migrating down the beach. If you find them, fish small swim baits, live baits or small jigs and you just might have some action as the spanish mackerel, tarpon, snook and a host of other predators follow and feen on them.

Well guys and gals, that’s all I have for this week! It’s supposed to be a bit “unsettled” again weather-wise, so if you do go out, keep an eye on the weather, as it can change pretty quickly as we saw last Saturday afternoon where it went from nice to everyone running for cover and wind gusts at the jetty noted on the camera weather station at 52 mph for about 5 minutes straight!! Stay safe, be well and have a great week!