OFFSHORE: In addition to the big catch from Saturday’s Offshore Challenge, cobia have turned up in area waters as they migrate north. “We had one boat catch seven cobia off of Flagler’s coast last weekend, 30 to 40 pounds,” said Jeff Burkhead, Fishin’ Cove Bait & Tackle, New Smyrna Beach. Dolphin are beginning to be part of the regular bite. The Triple Header charter brought back five dolphin, plus amberjack, while another boat “was loaded up on triggerfish and sea bass.” Burkhead said local angler Andrew Hicks caught an 87-pound yellow fin tuna on the other side of the Gulf Stream. Unfortunately, the marine forecast is calling for windy conditions for the next week, which will put a damper on offshore catches.
SURF, PIERS: Before the cold front pushed through Tuesday, fishing was good at the Sunglow Pier, Daytona Beach Shores. Rhonda Nelson, who is stationed at the pier, said anglers were catching masses of flounder, sheepshead, trout, whiting and pompano. “Then the wind and temperature change drove all the fish away,” she said. The Daytona Beach Pier was active, too, according to The Fishin’ Hole, downtown Daytona. Anglers were loading up on flounder, trout, black drum and Spanish mackerel. The Flagler Beach Pier completed the plank trifecta. The catch board read bluefish, Spanish mackerel, trout and small sharks. Off the beach in New Smyrna, Burkhead said anglers were dealing with a flurry of pompano.
PONCE INLET, HALIFAX RIVER: The inlet remains crammed full of Spanish mackerel along with a few redfish and bluefish. Fishermen are getting keeper-sized reds in the creeks and mango snapper in the main channel.
TOMOKA BASIN, RIVER: Capt. Kyle Busby, nobigreel.com, was all abuzz about snook in the river. Busby has been catching slot snook, 28 to 32 inches, on a regular basis. “We got three slot snook this week, which is a real good start,” he said. Busby said one of his customers caught a 10-pound black drum on a recent outing.
MOSQ. LAGOON, INDIAN RIVER: Burkhead said one of his customers landed a 10-pound trout in the Haulover Canal area, which for the last few months, continues to be a consistent fishing hot stop. “There are a lot of big fish in there,” Burkhead said.
MATANZAS INLET, RIVER: Anglers were chasing near-shore cobia, which were heavy off the coast of Crescent Beach last weekend, according to Don Ayotte at Devil’s Elbow Fish Camp in St. Johns County. Redfish, trout and flounder were the primary river fare over the last week.
ST. JOHNS RIVER: Capt. Bryn Rawlins, Highland Park Fish Camp, DeLand, said panfish, such as bluegill and warmouth, have replaced the speckled perch catch in the fresh water fishing areas. “The bass fishing has been excellent, on artificial and live bait,” she said. “We are seeing catches of 20 or more on one trip, up to 9-pounds.”
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