Treasure Coast Fishing Report

Treasure Coast fishing report: February 13
Ed Killer

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY

Capt. Tom Constantine of the Sebastian Lady party boat out of Capt. Butcher's Marina in Sebastian said sea conditions improved over the weekend and his anglers cashed in on sea bass, triggerfish, grouper and red snapper. The snook bite at Sebastian Inlet turned on along the north jetty for anglers fishing with live shrimp. Trout continues to be a constant bite on the flats. Try using jerk baits or live shrimp and a pop cork when fishing 2-4 feet of water.

LUCIE COUNTY

Capt. Glenn Cameron of the Floridian charter boat out of Fort Pierce City Marina said the weekend produced a decent catch of dolphin and kingfish for his anglers. Bottom fishing has been fair with a few catches of nice-sized grouper, however, snapper fishing has been off the mark through the first two months of the year. Fishing reefs in 65 to 95 feet of water has also produced large triggerfish this year. Cameron suggested fishing with a mix of live and dead baits for grouper.

MARTIN COUNTY

Capt. Kevin Drennan said the re-appearance of live bait and sailfish close to the St. Lucie Inlet has been a welcome sight. Drennan guided angler Jim Couzens of Wallington, Conn., to a sailfish release. Capt. Pete Jakits of Rainbow Runner charters said Sunday's trip out to 90 feet of water yielded a couple of gaffer dolphin and a first sailfish release for angler Sam Wells, 86. Spanish mackerel are down at the Kingfish Hole, but were tough to catch due to clear water.

LAKE OKEECHOBEE

Capt. Mike Shellen of Shellen's Guide Service in Okeechobee guided his Monday party to 27 bass on wild shiners while fishing out in the lake. He said things appear to be getting better, although the water level is still alarming. Fishing with crank baits has been decent as indicated by results from a tournament on Saturday. Nathan Shellen won the co-angler division of the Weekend Bassmasters tossing crank baits in canals. The eventual winner bagged 20 pounds fishing with 10-inch Gambler worms.