2024 might not have started out with huge numbers or massive fronts, but fishing has been good enough that we still all have hope. Bodies of fish on either side of us should provide consistent action from sails, blackfin, kingfish, little tunny, along with the occasional wahoo and what is quickly becoming even rarer, mahi mahi.
Anyone who has been fishing here for any length of time will agree that the dolphin fishing is worse than it’s ever been both in size of the fish and numbers being seen and caught. Without going into it to deeply, please know, I am all for keeping a few fish for dinner and even giving a few fillets away to friends and family, but 10 fish person and the commercial limits they allow are way too generous. The dolphin population may be thriving in the Pacific, but in the Atlantic, it’s in bad shape. Please take it upon yourself and fish responsibly. As much as I disagree with some of the rules preventing and restricting limits of some species, I am equally opposed to limits allowing the exploitation of others. Sometimes, even though the speed limit is 65, it’s up to the driver to limit themselves when they see adverse condition or potential issue. Please do the same with our fisheries and limit your catches to a responsible amount. With a species like dolphin, it’s especially easy to fish responsibly limiting your female take and trying to let them go, promoting the procreation of the species.
That being said, the variety of species the Treasure Coast offers in February rivals anywhere in the world. For any of the above species fish depths from 65-to-365 on average, focusing on color changes, weed lines, current edges and over structure. Our Six and Eight Mile Reefs both are migratory highways for all species moving down our coast this time of year. Look for mid-water bait around structure, flying fish and pieces of debris for areas to concentrate on. Both trolling and live baiting are very effective this time of year but when fish are spread out trolling gives you the advantage by covering more area. When a definite condition appears and there is an area where fish are congregating or migrating through, live bait will probably be more effective.
Swordfishing is typically pretty good this time of year and 2024 is no exception. There have been on a number of small fish being caught, along with some true exotics. We caught an 80-pound escolar on January 1 with Fred Church which was the very first one I’ve ever had the pleasure of encountering, and what an incredible specimen.
Tuna fishing isn’t going off yet but there are wahoos over in the Bahamas so if the weather allows and you’re going to make a weekend trip, it’s definitely worth doing some of that. Whichever style of fishing you decide on, if you’re going less than 8 knots, I strongly recommend using a dredge teaser along with your normal attractors. We pull ours off Cannon downriggers and they make it so much easier. The 10TS is an amazing motor with Bluetooth capabilities so I can operate them from the tower or anywhere else on the boat. We pull triple umbrella rigs with over 40 baits regularly and they work incredibly well.
I have lived here since early 80s and historically speaking February has always been a great month. While still very worthwhile and highlighted by a few great days, it does seem that spring and summer is slowly becoming a more productive time of year. We will take note again in 2024 as they’re right around the corner but either way, I’m looking forward to calmer weather.
Pompano fishing should be at its peak this month on the Treasure Coast. Inshore fishing on sandy flats can produce pompano limits if you’re in the right area. Bait fishing with sand fleas on anchor is the best way to catch the most fish, but drifting along the flats can also work well casting small Goofy jigs. Expect a lot of jacks, ladyfish, and bonefish in between pompano bites.
Snook fishing has been okay when using live pilchards around structure. Bottom fishing has been good using live shrimp along the Indian River. This style of fishing produces good numbers of sheepshead, blackdrum, redfish, snapper, croaker, pompano, jacks, ladyfish, and the occasional flounder. Fish Finder rigs, weighted jig heads, and or Knocker rigs will work well for said species, weights vary based on current for the area you will be fishing and depth.
Nearshore fishing remains strong for Spanish mackerel and bluefish along Peck Lake and north to Vero Cove. Find the boats, find the fish. Casting shiny jigs and or spoons will produce plenty of bites. I suggest a 3/8-ounce Tsunami glass minnow jig. Fast retrieve is a must, adding wire leaders is optional, this will reduce the number of lost lures for the day.
Surf fishing for pompano has been great along local beaches using pompano rigs with sand fleas. Surf fishing this month is even providing us with some nice permit too! Also let’s keep an eye out for rays and turtles along the beaches this time of year, they can have migrating schools of cobia nearby. Cobia jigs on a medium heavy rod rigged and ready can yield a bonus cobia when you are traveling to and from the mackerel grounds. Remember cobia now have to measure 36-inches fork length to keep and 1 per person with a 2 fish vessel limit. Download the Fish Rules app on your phone to stay up to date on current rules and regulations for your specific region.
Winds, waves, and currents will once again shape the offshore playing field of the coming days. February will continue to host the arrival of offshore weather making events that will be directly connected to the movements of local and migratory fish populations, just east of our St. Lucie Inlet. Snapper fishing will continue to be on the top of the offshore strategy, decision list for bottom fishing meat hunters. The “go to” zone for most species of snapper will be between 50 to 80 feet of water. Also, as seas remain choppy but “fishable” out of the north and east, offshore anglers will angle towards reefs close to shore and slightly north of the St. Lucie Inlet.
Martin County’s exceptional, offshore artificial reef program has set in place over 75 reef structures within 3 to 6 nautical miles, just offshore of our inlet. Old barges, concrete culverts and bridge spans, inlet dredging spoils, and pre-fabricated “reef makers” (just to name a few) make up the majority of these artificial reef structures and have become home to a large, diversified body of fish, both resident and pelagic, especially snapper. Lane, mangrove, vermilion, yellowtail, cubera, and mutton snapper are regularly caught by local anglers around these structures. Lane snappers are probably the most abundant of all and can be found in large numbers this month.
Anchoring the boat, above and around these reefs, will enable anglers using all varieties of cut bait, on 30- to 50-pound tackle to enjoy snapper catching success. These reefs not only attract snapper and other species of bottom dwellers, but also a wide array of pelagic fish that are normally associated with the upper layers of the water column, like king mackerel, dolphin, bonito, sailfish, and cobia. These artificial reefs become attractive devices for all species of saltwater fish as they provide the foundation for the smallest organisms to adhere to and grow, thus setting the ecosystem in motion as smaller fish are attracted by the food and cover offered by these structures. In turn, bigger fish that prey on the smaller organisms, find their way to these reefs and as a result, begin to propel the food chain into action. These reefs are well documented and published GPS coordinates for them can be found by visiting martinreefs.com.
Like all offshore fishing months, February will continue the need for captains and crews to pay close attention to daily weather forecasts when planning the day’s offshore adventure. By closely monitoring wind velocity/direction and tide schedules at the inlet, anglers will be able to consistently make safe decisions, regarding the limitations of their boats and crews, that will ultimately lead to successful offshore fishing trips during the days of February.