13th DOA Outdoor Writers Event - Fishing Report

Capt. Charlie Conner with a Fort Pierce trout

Humble writer with Captain Mark Nichols

Captain Mark Nichols and Jerry McBride of DOA Lures, managed to reel in another gathering of fishing guides and the writers that appreciate their lifestyle. Captain Rufus was present for fishing as head honcho at River Palms. The setting in Jensen Beach, Florida was even better this year thanks to sunny weather and light winds, which combined for great fishing. The snook bite really seemed to be going strong despite the locally heavy rainfall that has been recorded in the South Florida recently. Coconut shrimp and fellowship under the Chickee Hut fueled up the anglers before Day One. Sponsors on hand included Hummingbird, Eagle Claw/Trokar, Seaguar, Hobie and more! Fishing with Captain Charlie Conner's Fish Tales Charters, we splashed the boat at the JayCee Park ramp in Fort Pierce and fished the flats in the Indian River. With several nice trout boated there already this year, Conner put me in position and I got hooked up with a grown one - but alas he buried himself in the grass and then contorted his body until my hook backed out, very near to the boat where I could see him. Ever have that feeling where you want to jump in and try and 'grab' that fish that you would like to claim as landed? Oh well, I got schooled on that one, but went on to have a great day of catching flounder, trout, snook, redfish, jack crevalle and ladyfish - using DOA Cal jerkshad and DOA Baitbusters - and the old standby DOA shrimp! This was not the first time I had fished these flats and they produce best when the water current is moving, and different species can occupy the area at different times of the year.

Jacks are WILD at DOA Camp

To view past blog entries from DOA camp click here.

Snook that fell for a DOA Baitbuster