St. Lucie Inlet Offshore Report - July 22, 2005

[Captain Kevin Drennan]

Mike,
Here is my latest report for the St Lucie inlet offshore and inshore, Indian River, and St. Lucie River.

Sailfish and snook are the dominant species being caught out of the St. Lucie inlet. Sailfish have been clobbering live baits fished on top from 40 ft. out to240 ft. The dolphin bite has been scattered and not confined to any one area. Find weedlines and edges and look for flying fish. The bonita and barracuda have been relentless but will certainly bend a rod. A few blackfin tuna have been caught north of the inlet in around 200 ft. and some nice amberjack are hanging around the wrecks. Snapper and grouper fishing has been hot on six mile reef and off the loran tower. Kings are hanging around the bait near shore and there are some Spanish mackerel feeding on glass minnow pods.

The snook bite at the inlet rocks has been hot despite the brown water being dumped from Lake O’. Live pilchards or greenies fished near the rocks will do the trick. The incoming tide is the best. There are some big fish, there so have the appropriate tackle and a camera because the fish have to be released until September 1st when the season reopens. There are also some decent flounder being caught near the inlet. The incoming tide is the best bet.

The Indian River is having good action when you can find clean water. Large trout are being caught well north of the power plant on mirro lures and jerk baits. Top water plugs are getting crushed by snook and large jacks around the bait schools. Some tarpon are roaming the Big Mud Creek area early. The north fork of the St. Lucie is yielding snook at the spillways with some tarpon mixed in but the water is still brown due to the draining down of Lake O’. More later.

Captain Kevin Drennan