By: James Hall
“Almost nowhere else in the world can you draw a circle on a map with a 10-mile radius and find within it 800 species of fish,” said Dr. Grant Gilmore, a renowned marine scientist. “That’s what happens within 10 miles of the St. Lucie Inlet.”
Fishermen come to Martin County because of its mixture of diverse game fish and all the places they can cast a line. But don’t just take our word for it; listen to what the local anglers have to say.
Ed Killer is a reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers and an avid fisherman who writes about the outdoors.
“We’re in the perfect spot,” said Killer, whose family has been in Martin County for generations. “I would put our fishing up against anywhere in the country.”
We have fish ranging from the coast of South Carolina to Key West all in one area. This is because we are on the climate border of the temperate and sub-tropical zones, and the Gulf Stream also pulls fish to the area. The various waterways include the Indian River Lagoon, St. Lucie River, Lake Okeechobee, and Atlantic Ocean.
The county’s reef systems are also a draw to fish. Florida’s natural reef system’s northern end is in Martin County. We also have a thriving artificial reef program that adds to the two mile reef system.
“The artificial reefs provide a source of food for fish as barnacles grow on it,” said John Burke, the President of the Martin County Artificial Reef Fund. “When you put artificial next to natural you get the best of both worlds.”
The combination of Martin County’s climate, waterways, and environment make the area a mecca for fishermen. Among the many fish that can be caught, sailfish can be sought out in the winter, sea trout in the fall and spring, Mahi in the summer, and pompano all year round. Killer said you can’t beat a mangrove snapper, which can also be caught the whole year.
“If you want to catch 5 species of a fish, you can do that here,” Killer said.
When it comes to South Florida’s fishing, Burke has had to remind himself he’s not dreaming.
“The condition 10 miles offshore was the same as a two and a half hour trip I used to make,” said Burke, who grew up in Pennsylvania. “I had to pinch myself because I could still see the beach while catching all these fish.”
Martin County has a rich fishing history, and offshore fishing is what made it famous as the “Sailfish Capital of the World” in 1957. Offshore fishermen are in for a challenge almost every time they hit the water. Sailfish are the fastest marine predators, and in winter months, it’s not uncommon to hook multiple sailfish at one time. Great fishing stories are true for the past and present.
“Capt. Curt Whiticar ran out of bait Thursday and turned his charter fishing craft back after boating 19 ‘sails,’” according to a December 1949 Palm Beach Times article. “Honeymooning Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tinsley of Brevard, NC, got so tired when they caught nine sailfish on their first ocean fishing trip that they returned to shore at noon when they had chartered a boat for the full day.”
In more recent times, while fishing off shore, Burke got a little more than what he was casting for. He said that at first, he caught a Mahi and was reeling it in.
“Then a marlin came up and ate it,” Burke said.
After an hour and a half long fight, he landed a 350 pound blue marlin with a fishing line designed for Mahi.
Martin County’s fishermen are making new history and memories every year. During the MCAC Artificial Reef Fund’s annual tournament two years ago, Burke went fishing with a junior angler named Will Charles. The twelve year old Charles won with the top fish, a 24 pound Cobi.
“He was hooked,” Burke said. “The ability to implant young people with the love for fishing is really rewarding.”
Ever since then, Charles has competed in the tournament, namely against Killer’s son, Pierce. Last year, Killer beat Charles by landing a 24 pound Cobi that was within one pound of Charles’ catch. Expect to see the two at this year’s tournament on July 11.
Different tournaments happen year round and this year, they are helping causes like the artificial reef fund and Advocates for the Rights of the Challenged of Martin County.
If you are looking for a new place to fish, Martin County should be at the top of your list. To get the most out of your Martin County fishing experience, read the sidebar or follow the links below.
Sidebar (Any or all of this info could be in the sidebar)
Where To Fish Productive Offshore Areas
•King Fish Hole-off shore. 5 miles south St. Lucie Inlet offshore of Pecks Lake
•Artificial Tire-Reef-Edgar Ernst Reef, 4 1/2 miles due east of lighted buoy from St. Lucie Inlet.
•Artificial Reef-Bill Donaldson Reef 3 1/4 miles due east of House of Refuge.
•Artificial Reef-the Rankin, 66 miles due east of St. Lucie Inlet, 130′ water.
•Major Reef-6 Mile Reef Just south of Inlet and 6 miles due east, 75′ deep.
•8 Mile Reef just east of Inlet and 8 miles out north and south, 125′ deep.
•Gulfstream 5-8 miles offshore due east of Inlet, it varies a little.
Type Of Fish Caught During:
•Winter Sailfish abundant, King Fish, Dolphin, Blue Fish, Sea trout, Whiting, Pompano, Grouper
•Spring Snook, Pompano, Sea trout, Sailfish, Dolphin, King Fish, Summer, Snook, Tarpon, Dolphin, Bonito, Barracuda, Sea Trout, Red Fish, Red Snapper, Mutton snapper, Grouper, Tilefish, Some Sailfish, Wahoo, Scatter King Fish
•Fall Blue Fish, Flounder, Red Fish, Sea Trout, Snook
•All Year Round Fresh Water Bass, Sea Trout, Croaker, Mangrove Snapper, Whiting, Sand Perch, Grafftop Sail, Catfish, Drum & Sheephead, Margate & Moonfish
Productive Lakes, Rivers and Bays
•Lake Okeechobee – Bass fish. Indian River-Sea trout
•St. Lucie River both north & south forks of the river, snook and bass
•Savannahs – Jensen Beach area, bass.
•Fresh water – reaches-C-23, C-24, and St. Lucie Canal.
•Indian River – also for wading in grass beds for fish.
Fishable Bridges And Piers
•Jensen Beach Causeway – Indian River
•Stuart Bridges on A1A.
•Evans Crary Bridge
•St. Lucie River/Ernie Lyons Bridge
•Roosevelt Bridge – US 1 north of Stuart
•Palm City Bridge – St. Lucie River on Martin Downs Blvd.
Surf Casting Hutchinson Island – A1A, whole island
Important links and tournament information:
Dr. Grant Gilmore quote: http://floridasportfishing.com/sweet-poison/
1949 Palm Beach Times article: http://www.stuartsailfishclub.com/about_history.php
Tournament info:
Sidebar info: http://www.stuartmartinchamber.org/fishing_and_hunting.asp
License and Regulations information: http://myfwc.com/Fishing/Index.htm.
The latest fishing report: http://www.stuartmartinchamber.org/fishing_report