For those of you who desire to become the utmost in angling without a lot of know-how or cash, here's a few simple tips and photos of inspiration...
 

Also: Looking to acquire a fishing lodge in Alaska via owner financing or investors. Contact me if
you're interested or know someone who may be! Thanks!

Fletcher Beach, Hutchinson Island, FL - September - Tarpon
(caught on a DOA Bait Buster-deep runner * released)

*use shad imitation jigs, topwater plugs or live baitfish on the bottom with a sliding weight above a swivel
*look for schools of mullet and diving birds in the surf
*use lightweight tackle for fun; medium tackle for insurance- be prepared for the fight of your life
 

Jupiter, FL- June- Snook
(caught on a live croaker in the surf * released)

*fish along the beaches in 3 to 5 feet of water in the trough (drop-off)

*live baitfish- use croaker, whiting and greenies (catch them with tiny hooks tipped with shrimp a few feet off the beach)- use at least 12lb. test with a few feet of 40lb. mono leader -not wire, they will see it!

*lures- cast rubber shad jigs (DOA Bait Busters, Cocahoe Minnow and RipTide lures work great),
white feather jigs, topwater plugsand crankbaits like Rat-L-Traps or Bombers
at a 45 degree angle to the beach- 12 lb. test with about three feet of 20lb mono leader.

*use a stout rod to set the hook hard and hold on!

Be responsible with your harvest! Practice catch and release!

Hutchinson Island, FL - February - Seatrout
(caught on a Zara Spook in the flats in about 4 feet of water * released)

Economy Florida fishing: You don't need to charter a boat out in the ocean to catch big fish. You also don't need live bait. In the winter months, find the flats areas in the Intracoastal Waterway and use light tackle as you would for largemouth bass. Throw topwater plugs, shad imitation jigs or twister tails and small spoons. There are a LOT of fish in that water -snook, tarpon, redfish, seatrout, flounder, ladyfish,sheepshead,grouper, jacks, bluefish (winter),mackeral, barracuda and even sharks. Work the grassy areas and weedy patches. You are bound to catch something. They all fight hard. And most have teeth so don't get your fingers in their mouths.

Use the same tactics in the spring, summer and fall months on the beaches (or on the flats early and late in the day.) Submerged rocky areas and deep trough areas are usually the best along the beach. And of course any inlet along the beach is always a hot spot but usually more congested with other fisherman. The Juno Pier and Jupiter Inlet usually offer pretty good livebait fishing, though both are often crowded and more difficult to fish due to the heights and currents.
 

* WEEKLY LOCAL FISHING REPORTS *
 
 
 

Email me if you would like other Florida flats and surf fishing tips
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