Nighttime Docklights

For the last few weeks, I have been fishing up in Fort Pierce at my Grandpa's on the Indian River.  I fish mainly at night, and caught my first saltwater fish on a fly near a marina.  I stripped in the popper, and soon after heard a violent strike, and had the fly line ripped out of my hand as the reel started screaming.  A little Jack Cravelle, but a good fight on the 8 wt.  The following morning we went out with a guide, where I lost a few strikes, caught another very small Jack Cravelle, and a small snook.  The next couple trips following would be my most productive to Fort Pierce for fishing.  I found a small dock near my Grandpa's place, with two very bright lights at the end on both the left and right side.  The fishing at this spot on a good night, was the best i've ever seen.  every cast or every other cast would be a follow or a take.  The lights provided baitfish that many game fish feed on.  I have caught Jacks, numerous ladyfish, and trout, but there are also snook, reds, and other fish I can see under the lights.  The first trip I caught around 5 or 6 ladyfish. The first night of the following weekend, I caught at least 8-10 ladyfish, a 20+inch speckled trout, and a jack.  The following night was slow, because of the clear sky and the full moon.  I still ended up with one of each a jack, ladyfish, and trout.  With the peacock bite down, the Saltwater is all I have been fishing.

dock during first light in the morning

first saltwater fish on the fly. Jack Cravelle

Ladyfish

Speckled trout