Vero Beach Indian River Inshore

davederb

Haven't posted in a while but I've been fishing a few new spots and thought it was worth a quick report and some pictures. Palm Beach Pete got me motivated to try a spot in Vero that's only 10 minutes from me that I've never launched from before. Inshore waters up here in Indian River County offer so many opportunities for the big three inshore species, Snook, Reds, and big Trout. There has been tons of bait in the water and where the bait is, the fish usually are. When I read other peoples reports I'm always interested in what's working for them, so I thought I would share what's been working for me. I typically fish four different 7' rods with either 3000/4000 reels. First is an Owner 1/8 oz weedless hook with a white/mullet colored Zoom jerkbait. Second is a red/white 1/8oz Slayer jighead with a Monster 3x Slimshad plastic. Love the slimshad! Tough as nails and they produce! Third is a Bone colored topwater Zara Spook. Fourth is a mix up between a 1/4 oz gold spoon, 1/8 oz jighead and Gulp! swimming mullet (white or chartreuse) or a Live Target shrimp. Time of day, color of water, tide, wind, and location all play into what I use.

Catches over the last few trips have included many Trout including a few nice ones, a decent Redfish, and several decent Snook.

While fishing today, I hooked a monster Snook that quickly paralleled the mangroves and then right into them faster than I could control her. Her back was out of the water and my heart was pounding as this one was HUGE. As I tried to hop out of the yak to see if I could wade in and untangle from the groves and land it, it ran hard out of the groves into the channel and broke me off. I was all tangled up and had no chance! Ugh! What a huge fish I just lost.

One cool thing I also saw was a Black Racer snake swimming across the river. Probably 6 feet. This was a first for me seeing it swim in the open water.

Till next time, enjoy the pics.

sparse grey

Nice report & pics. Thanks for posting. How do you like the Hobie?

davederb

I love it! Well worth the money. I tell people all the time that you can fish almost 100% of the time due to not having to pickup and put down a paddle. To me...PRICELESS!

John McKroid

Nice Trout !

jcanracer

Pity about the snook!
Is that a venomous snake? I'd freak out if I saw that swimming in my direction :hairraiser

davederb

I wanna say black racer which isnt but wasnt 100% sure. Either way I dont do snakes!

Hobie Angler

Don't do snakes either, but I would be a lot more concerned about the manatee than anything else. They can really do some damage to kayakers on the water.

davederb

I have some great footage of that manatee. Lots in that area. Usually leave me alone. Had one that wouldnt stop smelling my shrimp bucket. Was too funny. Always watch to make sure they arent below me.

Bi0tic

It's a black racer, harmless, but they will bite the heck out of you if you get too close. Not to be confused with an indigo snake, which has red under the chin (and is usually much larger) while the racer has white under the chin.

Ankona

I have a proangler also, it is great for fishing.

John McKroid

Bi0tic wrote: »

It's a black racer, harmless, but they will bite the heck out of you if you get too close. Not to be confused with an indigo snake, which has red under the chin (and is usually much larger) while the racer has white under the chin.

.

Never thought of a black racer as a water snake. My experience has been they would rather flight than fight -- only try to bite if I grab them. Would like to see an indigo, know of anywhere they are common ?

Bi0tic

John McKroid wrote: »

Would like to see an indigo, know of anywhere they are common ?

They aren't considered to be common anywhere, but the two places that have had the largest populations are Ocala National Forest and in Citrus County. They are generally found anywhere there are gopher tortoise burrows. The last one I saw was in Bull Creek WMA. I hope you get to see one, they are amazing animals.

Itch-2-Fish

Thank you for your service.

Do you prefer fishing north or south of the Barber bridge in Vero?

davederb

Itch-2-Fish. Thanks and it was an honor to serve. Trick question about fishing. So many good areas. In Vero, I prefer North of the Barber bridge. Havent fished too much south of 60/17th st bridges. I do, however, love to fish off Torpey Road in Fort Pierce. Use their marina, pay your $2, and paddle across the river to the spoil islands and manrgove channels on the east side of the river. Great fishing there! Water is also much cleaner than in North Vero. You are basically south of Round Island and North of the Ft Pierce Inlet. Good variety there.

Itch-2-Fish

davederb wrote: »

Itch-2-Fish. Thanks and it was an honor to serve. Trick question about fishing. So many good areas. In Vero, I prefer North of the Barber bridge. Havent fished too much south of 60/17th st bridges. I do, however, love to fish off Torpey Road in Fort Pierce. Use their marina, pay your $2, and paddle across the river to the spoil islands and manrgove channels on the east side of the river. Great fishing there! Water is also much cleaner than in North Vero. You are basically south of Round Island and North of the Ft Pierce Inlet. Good variety there.

I'm kinda the opposite. I haven't tried N. Vero too much. I usually fish south of the bridges and north of Ft. Pierce i.e. Harbor Branch area. Agreed, Ft. Pierce is cleaner water. I need to put more time in at Ft. Pierce. Good luck.

davederb

Itch, drop me a PM of you wanna go out in Vero. I'd gladly show you the areas I fish. I'm always looking for new people to fish with.

yakmac

Dave, curious why you prefer marina over north bridge?

davederb

Yakmac, just my preference. Torpey road is an easy and uncongested marina and directly across from where I like to fish. Mangroves channels are great back there. I also prefer to fish NorthEast of Little Jim's bait and tackle. Great water back there as well.