Post by catch22 on Sept 9, 2002 12:59:31 GMT -5
The big news this week is hands down the mullet run. Yes, these 6” baitfish have migrated south and are all over the rivers, inlets and surf. Snook , jacks and tarpon are having a field day tearing into these large schools. This morning I was near Sundance Marina on Indian River Drive in Jensen Beach. Within a half hour I witnessed over a dozen tarpon in the area plowing into finger mullet along with large jacks cornering these baitfish up along the seawall. Mullet were jumping 4 feet out of the water on to docks trying to evade these predators. The unmistakeable sound of snook thumping baitfish was awesome. Now is the time to break out your favorite topwater lure or simply go with live mullet which should not be hard to find. DOA’s Baitbusters are another option while matching the hatch.
Last week on Catch 22, a few trips fishing both the St. Lucie Inlet area and area bridges provided great action to say the least. One trip boated 4 snook (two) in the slot running 31 and 33 inches along with 2 fish just under at 24”. Live shrimp, mullet and DOA rootbeer shrimp were used as baits. Did spot a few tarpon rolling in the crossroads but no takers. On our way back north under the Stuart Causeway were some nice black drum to 7 lbs and schools of 10-15 lb jacks.
Friday morning was also hot with 2 snook in the inlet to 32” along with a list including croaker, lookdowns, mangrove snapper, ladyfish, flounder and jacks. After the inlet we headed north to try the Jensen Causeway.13 Mangrove snapper, 5 black drum to 6 lbs and two undersized snook. Those 2 trips totaled over 45 fish making it a blast for my guests. Saturday morning I ran north to Little Mud Creek hoping for some tarpon action but nobody was home. Fishing the grass a few trout with one keeper at 18” on a glo shrimp. We spent some time showing my guests different spots to fish as they requested earlier. We did fish a few channel markers looking for tripletail but I guess they were hiding with the tarpon. Under the Jensen Bridge we did manage to pull out a few nice black drum and headed home. I spoke to several guides who all agreed that Saturday was off.
I have 2 night trips this week, one on Tuesday and the other on Friday. Plan on mixing it up with mullet, shrimp and artificials. Snook and tarpon near the bridges along with trout on a few of my favorite docks. This is the game plan and I’ll let you know how we made out next week.
Capt. Bob Bushholz
www.catch22fish.com
(772) 225-6436
Last week on Catch 22, a few trips fishing both the St. Lucie Inlet area and area bridges provided great action to say the least. One trip boated 4 snook (two) in the slot running 31 and 33 inches along with 2 fish just under at 24”. Live shrimp, mullet and DOA rootbeer shrimp were used as baits. Did spot a few tarpon rolling in the crossroads but no takers. On our way back north under the Stuart Causeway were some nice black drum to 7 lbs and schools of 10-15 lb jacks.
Friday morning was also hot with 2 snook in the inlet to 32” along with a list including croaker, lookdowns, mangrove snapper, ladyfish, flounder and jacks. After the inlet we headed north to try the Jensen Causeway.13 Mangrove snapper, 5 black drum to 6 lbs and two undersized snook. Those 2 trips totaled over 45 fish making it a blast for my guests. Saturday morning I ran north to Little Mud Creek hoping for some tarpon action but nobody was home. Fishing the grass a few trout with one keeper at 18” on a glo shrimp. We spent some time showing my guests different spots to fish as they requested earlier. We did fish a few channel markers looking for tripletail but I guess they were hiding with the tarpon. Under the Jensen Bridge we did manage to pull out a few nice black drum and headed home. I spoke to several guides who all agreed that Saturday was off.
I have 2 night trips this week, one on Tuesday and the other on Friday. Plan on mixing it up with mullet, shrimp and artificials. Snook and tarpon near the bridges along with trout on a few of my favorite docks. This is the game plan and I’ll let you know how we made out next week.
Capt. Bob Bushholz
www.catch22fish.com
(772) 225-6436