A mild cold front is expected to come through the area and with it winds will climb from the northern sector. Sea may be too sporty for offshore fishing, so make plans to fish the lagoon or freshwater.

Going to the boat ramps may not be easy either, so plan ahead before arriving and finding out a ramp isn’t usable because of Hurricane Nicole damage. These ramps are already damaged:

• Riverside Park Boat Ramp in Vero Beach
• Jaycee Park Boat Ramp in Fort Pierce
• North side of Jensen Beach Causeway
• Jensen Beach Boat Ramp next to U.S. Sailing Center
• Sandsprit Park is under construction 

No timetables are available for any of these ramps, according to authorities.

Sebastian Inlet State Park is open on both sides, but the north jetty is still under repairs for an undetermined amount of time.

39th Vero Beach Boat Show

If the winds come up too high, don’t forget the world famous Vero Beach Boat Show is this weekend on Saturday and Sunday at Riverside Park in Vero Beach. Free admission and free parking always welcome in the potential boat buyer. Come see the latest models from paddlecraft to the newest offshore fishing machines from local dealers. Come out and support local businesses. To find out more about the show, go to VeroBespanchBospantShow.com.

No vote:Judge throws out referendum spangspaninst Vero Bespanch mspanrinspan expspannsion, but it would hspanve lost spannywspany

Boat crash:Pspanlm City mspann ordered to prison in 2019 fspantspanl bospant crspansh thspant killed his wife, young girl

Lockdown:FDOT, USCG: Mspanrtin, St. Lucie drspanw bridges locked down spanhespand of TS Nicole

Closures & regulations changes in effect: Anglers are reminded about these fishery harvest closures currently underway and ones about to begin and end.

• Flounder: Harvest closed from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30. Harvest reopens Dec. 1.
• Hogfish: Harvest closed from Nov. 1 to April 30, 2023. Harvest reopens May 1, 2023.
• Spotted seatrout:  Harvest closed from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 in Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin & Palm Beach counties. Harvest reopens Jan. 1, 2023.
• Snook: Harvest closed from Dec. 15 through Jan. 31, 2023. Harvest reopens Feb. 1, 2023.
• Grouper: Harvest closed from Jan. 1, 2023, through April 30, 2023. Harvest reopens May 1, 2023. Includes gag grouper, red grouper, scamp and six other lesser species.
• Redfish: Harvest of redfish is banned in the Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon beginning Sept. 1.
• Alligator: Hunt season is open Aug. 15-Nov. 1. Permits required.
• Lobster: Regular season opened Aug. 6.
• Dolphin: New fishing regulations began May 1 for state waters. Bag limit is now five fish per day per angler; Vessel limit is now 30 fish per day. Captain and crew may not be included in limit.
• Tilefish: A commercial fishing closure is in place beginning July 6 until Dec. 31.
• Bass: Bass at Headwaters Lake will soon become all catch-and-release.

For complete fishing regulations in Florida go to MyFWC.com.

Indian River County

Offshore: Bluewater fishing may have to hold off until seas calm down a little bit. When the fishing resumes expect to find dolphin and blackfin tuna migrating south along the western edge of the Gulf Stream currents. 

Inshore: Snook are the best bet in the lagoon right now. Trout are scarce and redfish are hard to find, except in Sebastian Inlet. Anglers can fish from the T Dock where flounder can be caught on jigs. Remember flounder are all release until Nov. 30.

Freshwater: Headwaters Lake is a good place to find bass along the shorelines with the high water levels.

St. Lucie County

Offshore: The snapper fishing has been steady in 80 feet of water. Use dead sardines. Grouper fishing is more hit & miss but they have been in deep water, 200 feet or so, along with greater amberjacks. 

Inshore: Snook, Goliath grouper, sheepshead, jacks and snapper can be caught by fishing the structure and tree-lined shores south of the inlet on the east side of the lagoon. Use live mullet or shrimp for best results.

Surf: The next few days may be rough, but use enough weight on sinkers to hold bottom. Pompano, permit, whiting and croaker can be caught along with jacks, bonnethead sharks, bluefish and blue runners. Some beaches are still closed, but Dollman, Normandy and Middle Cove have been good places to start if the conditions are right.

Martin County

Offshore: The plume of river water pushing out into the ocean extends about 3 miles and flows mostly south. That shouldn’t stop the Spanish mackerel from biting, especially at the end of the incoming and beginning of the outgoing tide. Reel fast to get bites.

Inshore: Snook and jacks can be caught throughout the St. Lucie River. Water is still flowing from S-80 after Hurricane Nicole to keep the canal from back-flooding.

Lake Okeechobee

The level of Lake Okeechobee on Thursday was pushing 16.25 feet above sea level after rain from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. Bass have pushed up into the shallows to feed in areas they only have access to at the end of the rainy seasons. Use topwater frogs, lizards, hard baits to get reaction strikes from bass feeding on top. Crappie fishing is going to be good during the cooler nights.