Spring is here on the Treasure Coast and brings great conditions to the area. Mild temperatures and windy days will be the norm in April. 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.
The grass flats will be active with trout. I love using a DOA Deadly Combo 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 and the season closes May 31. 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.
Bridges will continue to hold sheepshead, 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.
Redfish will be our main target throughout the months of May and June. The past several years have brought us schools of slot sized fish along the Indian River. Most of our catch have been in the 18 to 30-inch range. The mangroves should produce lots of redfish action again this year. I always have three lures ready during May…DOA shrimp, CAL jerk baits and top water lures. Gold spoons and the DOA 2 ¾” shrimp will also be great additions to the arsenal when fishing for redfish.
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby.... it’s an ADVENTURE!! Good Fishing and Be Safe, Captain Charlie Conner