Week of January 9: Look for blue runners, jacks, sea bream, black drum and pompano at the south jetty
Today's forecast calls for sunny skies, a high of 73 degrees, NNW winds at 11 mph and one to two-foot seas.
The latest and greatest from “Snookman” Wayne Landry:
“Good morning, all my fishing friends! I hope you all had a great weekend. First, the good news: The north side of the inlet — all the way from the catwalk to the north jetty gates — has reopened to the public. The jetty and north catwalk still remain closed though. Now, let’s delve into the fishing:
North side: All along the rock seawall anglers are catching sheepshead on cut shrimp. There’s also small black drum and sand perch. Those fishing live baits may possibly catch small snook or maybe a sea trout or two — it’s that time of the year for them. The flounder bite here hasn't materialized yet due to construction that temporarily blocked access to the rocks, but now that it is open, you may see some caught. Incoming tide has been the best to fish here for just about everything I listed. The boaters fishing the tip of the jetty on both tides have really been catching a lot of really nice lack drum, sheepshead and, I was told, quite a few nice snookies! But snook are catch-and-release only.
South Jetty: This has been the hot spot for many species on both tides. Outgoing at the tip has been a mix of blue runners, jack crevalles, sea bream, black drum and even a few nice pompano. Most of these fish were caught with either live of fresh cut shrimp. The pompano prefer live sand fleas if you can get some. Also, over the weekend I saw some average flounder being caught on the beach side of the jetty, 15 to 17 inches, on small white rubber jigs and mud minnows. Incoming tide has also been producing some nice black drum, flounder along the rock sea wall, and some catch and release snook.
Catwalks, both sides: For the most part the only species being caught on the south side is sheepshead. Incoming tide is the best as the water flows a bit slower and is much cleaner. Live fiddler crabs are the best bait, but fresh cut shrimp will work, too. North side catwalk is still closed.
T-Dock area: Back here, anglers are catching flounder on the outgoing tide using finger mullet. One of my friends fishing on Sunday had three in his cooler: two were 15 inches and the third was about 20 inches and about three pounds. Spanish mackerel and pompano are being caught on the incoming tide and the start of the outgoing tide. Both species were caught on small white jigs and the goofy jigs. Around the pilings, anglers are catching a mixed bag of snappers, mangroves, dog snappers, lanes and one of my friends caught a nice mutton snapper on a small jig. Also, big snook have been present on the incoming tide on live baits. Remember, they are catch-and-release only.
Surf, both side The talk in the surf arena has been the pompano. Anglers have been doing well just north of the inlet and just south of the inlet. Live sand fleas are the top bait if you can find some. Also being caught in the surf are some really nice whiting and small black drum. They too will eat sand fleas, and do like live or fresh cut shrimp as well. Pesky catfish and some small bonnet head sharks are still on the south side.
So, there it is for this report! Fishing has improved somewhat on both sides, and with the seas and winds remaining pretty calm this week, should get even better with the water calm and cleaning up. Grab your gear and get out and catch a big one!”