We’ve had several days of glorious weather, and fishing has been pretty good. Pompano fishing in the surf has been good, with most being caught on sand fleas, and the Bluefish and Spanish Mackerel have been active, mostly being caught on spoons and Jigfish slab spoons. Offshore, Dolphin fishing continues to be good, mostly in 120′ to 180′ of water, with some Sailfish mixed in. Kingfish have been active in 60′ to 80′ of water, with most caught on live bait. Both inlets continue to produce, with plenty of Snook and Tarpon both active in Fort Pierce on flare jigs and Rapala Shad Raps at night, and big Redfish falling for live bait and jigs in Sebastian to go along with the Snook. In the IRL, Sea Trout fishing has been quite good, mostly on the drop offs using DOA CAL shad tail jigs and DOA Shrimp, and Redfish are still plentiful, particularly on the shorelines. Snook have been a bit lethargic with the cooler water temps, but should rebound when it warms up. Hope you get out and get into some action here before Christmas!
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Still time to get those gifts for the angler in your life, we’re well stocked on sun protective clothes from Patagonia, Simms, and others , sunglasses by COSTA, Smith, and Maui Jim, and of course gift certificates that always fit.
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Synopsis: Light and variable morning winds will transition to southeast today. A developing storm system will move east along the Gulf Coast today through Thursday, dragging a strong cold front through the waters Thursday night. The storm will then move northeast across the eastern U.S. Friday. Increasingly hazardous marine conditions are expected Thursday along with a band of strong to severe thunderstorms moving across the waters during the afternoon and evening. Expect strong offshore winds near shore and near gale conditions offshore behind the front on Friday through Friday night.
GULF STREAM HAZARDS…None.
The approximate location of the west wall of the Gulf Stream based on the Real Time Ocean Forecast System as of Monday, December 17th.
48 nautical miles east of Ponce Inlet. 34 nautical miles east of Port Canaveral. 27 nautical miles east of Sebastian Inlet. 19 nautical miles east of Fort Pierce Inlet. 12 nautical miles east of Saint Lucie Inlet.
This Afternoon
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots increasing to 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period 8 seconds. A moderate chop on the intracoastal waters.
Tonight
Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots increasing to 15 to 20 knots by daybreak. Seas building to 3 to 4 feet with a dominant period 9 seconds. A light chop on the intracoastal waters. Chance of showers. Slight chance of thunderstorms after midnight.
Thursday
South winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet with a dominant period 6 seconds. Rough on the intracoastal waters. Showers likely and chance of thunderstorms.
Thursday Night
Southwest winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 5 to 7 feet. Rough on the intracoastal waters. Showers and chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then chance of showers after midnight.
Friday
Southwest winds 25 to 30 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet. Very rough on the intracoastal waters. Chance of showers.
Friday Night
West winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet.
Saturday
Northwest winds 15 to 20 knots diminishing to 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 feet.
Saturday Night
North winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet.
Tides for Vero Beach (ocean) starting with December 19, 2018.
Day High Tide Height Sunrise Moon Time % Moon
/Low Time Feet Sunset Visible
W 19 High 4:40 AM 3.8 7:07 AM Set 3:40 AM 81
19 Low 10:43 AM 0.7 5:30 PM Rise 3:14 PM
19 High 4:46 PM 3.6
19 Low 11:02 PM 0.0
Th 20 High 5:32 AM 3.9 7:07 AM Set 4:41 AM 88
20 Low 11:32 AM 0.4 5:31 PM Rise 3:58 PM
20 High 5:37 PM 3.8
20 Low 11:50 PM -0.3
F 21 High 6:23 AM 4.2 7:08 AM Set 5:45 AM 94
21 Low 12:20 PM 0.3 5:31 PM Rise 4:49 PM
21 High 6:28 PM 3.9