A mild cold front is forecast for the area and with it the winds will rise from the northern sector. The sea can be too sporty for offshore fishing, so make plans to fish in the lagoon or in fresh water.
Getting to the boat ramps won’t be easy either, so plan before you arrive and find a ramp is unusable due to damage from Hurricane Nicole. These ramps are already damaged:
- Riverside Park Boat Ramp in Vero Beach
- Jaycee Park Boat Ramp in Fort Pierce
- North Shore of Jensen Beach Causeway
- Jensen Beach Boat Ramp next to the US Sailing Center
- Sandsprit Park is under construction
No schedules are available for any of these ramps, according to officials.
Sebastian Inlet State Park is open on both sides, but the north pier is still under repair for an undetermined amount of time.
39th Vero Beach Boat Show
If the wind gets too strong, don’t miss the world-famous Vero Beach Boat Show this weekend on Saturday and Sunday at Riverside Park in Vero Beach. Free admission and free parking always welcome to the potential boat buyer. Come and see the latest models from paddle machines to the latest deep sea fishing machines from local dealers. Come and support local businesses. For more information on the show, go to VeroBeachBoatShow.com.
No vote: Judge throws out referendum against Vero Beach marina expansion, but would have lost anyway
Boat accident: Palm City man sentenced to prison in 2019 fatal boating accident that killed his wife, baby girl
Confinement: FDOT, USCG: Martin drawn bridges, St. Lucie blocked in front of TS Nicole
Closures and changes in current regulations: Fishermen are reminded of these fishing harvest closures currently in progress and those about to begin and end.
- Smooth: The harvest closed from October 15 to November 30. The harvest opens again on December 1.
- Hogfish: Harvest closed from November 1 to April 30, 2023. Harvest reopens May 1, 2023.
- Speckled seat trout: Harvest closed Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 in Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Palm Beach. Harvest reopens on January 1, 2023.
- Snooker: Harvest closed from December 15th to January 31st, 2023. Harvesting reopens on February 1st, 2023.
- grouper: Harvest closed from January 1, 2023 to April 30, 2023. Harvest reopens May 1, 2023. Includes grouper, red grouper, scamp and six other minor species.
- Redfish: Redfish harvest is prohibited in Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon beginning September 1st.
- alligator: The hunting season is open from August 15 to November. 1. Required permissions.
- lobster: regular season open on August 6.
- Dolphin: New fishing regulations began May 1 for state waters. The bag limit is now five fish per day per angler; The boat limit is now 30 fish per day. Captain and crew may not be included in the limit.
- Tilefish: A commercial fishing closure is established from July 6 to December 31.
- Low: Bass at Headwaters Lake will soon become a catch-and-release.
For complete Florida fishing regulations, go to MyFWC.com.
Indian River County
Offshore: Bluewater fishing may have to stop until the sea calms down a bit. When fishing resumes, expect to find dolphins and blackfin migrating south along the western edge of the Gulf Stream currents.
Coastline: Snook is the best bet in the lagoon right now. Trout are scarce and redfish are hard to come by except in Sebastian Inlet. Anglers can fish from Pier T, where flounder can be caught on machines. Remember that all dishes will be released until November 30th.
Freshwater: Headwaters Lake is a good place to find bass along the shorelines with high water levels.
Saint Lucia County
Offshore: Snapper fishing has been steady in 80 feet of water. Use dead sardines. Grouper fishing is rougher but has been done in deep water, 200 feet or so, along with larger banks.
Coastline: Snook, Goliath grouper, sheepshead, cats and snapper can be caught fishing the structure and wooded shorelines south of the entrance on the east side of the lagoon. Use live mullet or shrimp for best results.
Surfing: The next few days may be rough, but use enough weight on the feathers to hold the bottom. Pompano, permit, whiting and corvin can be caught along with sharks, sharks, bluefish and blue runners. Some beaches are still closed, but Dollman, Normandy and Middle Cove have been good places to start if the conditions are right.
Martin County
Offshore: The plume of water from the river that exits the ocean extends about 3 miles and flows mainly south. This should not prevent the mackerel from biting, especially at the end of the incoming tide and the beginning of the outgoing tide. Roll quickly to get bites.
Coastline: Snook and Jacks can be caught throughout the St. River. Lucie. Water is still flowing from S-80 after Hurricane Nicole to keep the canal from flooding.
Lake Okeechobee
The level of Lake Okeechobee on Thursday was 16.25 feet above sea level after rain from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. Bass have moved up into the shallows to feed in areas they only have access to at the end of the rainy seasons. Use topwater frogs, lizards, hard baits to get reaction strikes from top-feeding bass. Fishing will be good during the cooler nights.