Fishing Report: Snook are on the table (figuratively speaking) at local FWC gathering next week

You a snook fan?

How could you not be? Mr. Snook is a great fight, a terrific entree´, and what’s more, quite a looker.

That body-length stripe gives the snook an air of sophistication and Speed Racer, combined.

But there’s also an air of mystery. If the snook seems so plentiful in our waters, why so much protection? Why no commercial sales? Why the needle-threading legal slot of just 28-32 inches, daily limit of one, and 4½ months of closed season throughout the year?

Those questions, and more, should be answered (OK, at least asked) next week during one of the statewide workshops organized by Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The FWC’s local workshop is next Tuesday (March 28) at the Brannon Center in New Smyrna Beach (105 South Riverside), beginning at 6 p.m.

HEAD ON A SWIVEL!Boater beware! Sandbars and public ramps can ruin your day on the water

FISHBITESThe idea for Fishbites began with young Billy Carr in New Smyrna Beach

According to FWC literature, the commission is “adopting a holistic management approach for snook that includes a review of several environmental and human factors such as habitat, fishing effort, and stakeholder feedback to evaluate the fishery at a more local scale.”

You heard ’em — holistic. Big-picture stuff, nothing scary.

Also, if you fish, congrats, you’ve been promoted to stakeholder. Straighten that cap and zip up your fly, by God, there are standards.

Bottom line: The FWC is proposing to establish 10 new statewide regions which would set snook rules based on that region’s snook status. Similar to the redfish regions, is a good guess.

So put on your best holistic duds and go learn something — or teach them something, Stakeholder.

Halifax/Indian River

Except for a midweek encore in the cards for next week, when we might see one more sub-70 high and gusts from the north and northeast, the warmer temps will primarily bring friendlier winds from the south, give or take.

But winds they’ll be. When the forecast says 10-15 mph, you know it’ll be more like 15-20 on the water. If you get first dibs on a bridge wall and put it between you and the oncoming gusts, more power to you. Otherwise, it’s best to find tuckaways where you employ mangroves as buffer.

Good news is, the backwater creeks are rather full of jacks, blues, ladyfish and, on a better note, seatrout — “they’ve all been pretty thick in the creeks between Port Orange and Spruce Creek,” says Capt. Jeff Patterson (Pole Dancer).

Reds and flounder can be found around the docks, which is the springtime routine “I’ve been using finger mullet and live shrimp,” Capt. Jeff says.

Count Geno Giza among those who didn’t go bashful when the mercury dropped last week. Doesn’t hurt that he spends over half of his year in Pennsylvania.

Minus really bad weather, Geno says, “The fly-fishing is outstanding.” He leaves the boat in dry-dock and does some wading and fly-casting in what many of us would consider stay-at-home conditions.

“Anytime I can put on my chest waders in March is a bonus,” he says, “because I  know big predator fish are on the prowl.”

Raise your hand if you own chest waders.

Surf

An old friend of the weekly fishing roundup, Roy Mattson, checks back in, and not just to promote his upcoming Surf Fishing Challenge. But since we’re here, why not.

The one-day tournament — Saturday, April 1 — has a wide playing field, including the surfline from St. Johns through Brevard Counties. Pre-tournament gathering, as well as post-tournament weigh-in, is at the Lost Lagoon on U.S. 1, fronting the New Smyrna Beach airport’s Jack Bolt Field.

More info: SurfFishingChallenge.com.

Also, if you plan to drive onto the beach for a surf-fishing adventure, Roy (RoysSurfFishing.com) recommends a five-hour window for a friendlier beach — from three hours before low tide to two hours after. And while you're there?

“We’re still catching a number of different fish,” he says. “Pompano, bluefish, flounder, whiting, black drum, a few sheephead and lots of sharks.”

Marco Pompano is looking forward to an end to the east and northeast winds. This past week, he was being chased away from his shoreline perch some two hours before high tide. But it was no great loss, because the water had dirtied and only the catfish were happy about that.

Things got better as the week went along, though.

Flagler

The sheepshead bite is still decent at the Matanzas Inlet, according to Capt. Mike Vickers (Hammock Beach Bait & Tackle).

“Just a little bonus, we’ve gotten our first reports of smaller tarpon in the canals,” he says.

Capt. Mike expects to see snook and trout pushing into the area with rising temps, as they chase this year’s freshman class of baitfish.

He’s expecting blues to start swarming the Flagler beaches any day now.

Offshore

After a seemingly endless barrage of ugliness, the coming days are promising some chances to get into the deep water with deep thoughts.

Conditions aren’t perfect, but comparatively speaking, it’ll practically be a lake — lots of days with seas at 2-3 feet, sometimes 3-4, and an end to the northern haymakers.

St. Johns

In our ongoing effort to go wall-to-wall here, we’ve reached just beyond the northern boundary of Lake George, and just beyond the Volusia County line, into Putnam.

That's where 17-year-old river lifer Thomas Delaney does plenty of fishing (and hunting) out of the all-kinds-of-fun "Renegades on the River," which offers a plush RV park, wonderful restaurant and large (and lively) tiki bar — what else can you want?

It’s over on the westside of Crescent City, on the St. Johns, a few casts north of Lake George, where Thomas says big bass have been turning some outings into trophy hunts.

“We’ve been getting some pretty big bites and landing multiple fish over eight pounds, with a few in double-digits, all on wild shiners,” he says.

With the warming weather, he expects to see fish making their way into the lilly pads and trees. Meanwhile, during occasional downturns in the weather, he’s been taking advantage of spring turkey season.

Back down in Astor, south of Lake George, Kerry McPherson (South Moon Fish Camp) is gearing up for bluegill season and, better yet, many of the out-of-state regulars who make their way back to the St. Johns with coolers of ice and filet knives sharpened.

“They’ll start hitting us pretty hard soon,” Kerry says of the bluegill, or maybe the visitors?

Hook, line and clicker: Send us your fish pics

We want to see your most recent catch. Email your fish photos to ken.willis@news-jrnl.com.

Please include first and last name of angler(s), as well as type of fish (we're occasionally stumped). All are included with our online fishing report, and some occasionally make the print edition.

Do I need a fishing license?

You can find all the license info, including exemptions, on Florida's Fish and Wildlife Commission website: MyFWC.com. But the basics are: No: If you're 65 or older, 15 or younger, you don't need a license. No: If you're fishing with a licensed guide or charter boat, both of which purchase commercial licenses that cover their customers. Yes: Most everyone else, including visitors from other states. Yes: Even if you're a shore-based angler (shoreline, dock, pier, bridge, etc.). However: The shore-based license is free . . . But: You still need to register for that free license.

Where do I get a license and what does it cost?

Many bait shops sell licenses, as do the bigger retailers (Bass, Dick's, Walmart, etc.).  Florida's FWC uses a third-party site for buying or renewing fishing licenses:  GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. The cost: $17 for an annual license. Don't forget: Whether you're fishing fresh or saltwater, you need the specific license. Freshwater and saltwater licenses are both $17 annually.

I’m here on vacation, do I need a license?

Yes you do, and they're also available at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or certain bait shops and big retailers. Cost: $17 for three days, $30 for seven days, $47 for a year.Also: Non-residents need to purchase that license even if they're just fishing from shoreline or shore-based structures. (Florida residents need that license, too, but they're free.)

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Snook are on the table! No, not that table, but let's talk | FISHING