• Offshore: Dolphin catches were decent for anglers in larger boats braving last weekend’s bumpy seas. Fish were scattered — some anglers reported fish in 120 feet while others traveled past 300 feet to find them. The upcoming forecast calls for dangerous winds and seas to eight feet this weekend.
• Surf: Rough waves have kept most fishermen off the beach, but pompano catches have been pretty good. The best bite seems to be north around Ponce Inlet, but scattered fish were caught all the way to Sebastian. Hopefully southwest winds on Saturday will mellow down the surf enough to cast a line. Surely the surfers will take advantage of the fun conditions.
• Sebastian Inlet: Snook catches are good during tide changes at night, particularly around the south catwalk, north side by the tidal pool and the south jetty. Bucktails and swimbaits have been the choice baits — light plastic plugs are difficult to cast into the wind. Pompano catches have been good off the north jetty. Bring some rain gear to stay dry from crashing waves.
• Inshore: The stretch of IRL between Grant and Wabasso has been a hot spot for large snook, trout, reds, black drum and ladyfish. Look for schools of silver mullet around docks, points or mangrove shorelines. Tail-hooked mullet should be fished without a weight and allowed to swim out from shore or toward structures. For reds and drum, go with live shrimp or a ¼-oz jighead and a DOA C.A.L. paddle tail in pearl white, silver or black. Captain Jamie Glasner of Cocoa Beach is finding great redfish catches in the Mosquito Lagoon. He’s fishing with jerkbaits and jigs mostly, but switching to cut bait if they’re being picky. He also suggests fishing the drop offs from the shallow flats for seatrout at first light.
• Freshwater: The St Johns north of Brevard is still producing great catches of bass and catfish. Schooling largemouth are best very early in the morning—plan to be fishing as the sun is rising. Look for busting schoolies and cast small plugs such as Mirrolure’s MirrOMinnow or MirrODine. For catfish on the river bends, use steaks of fresh cut shad on a 5/0-7/0 circle hook and just enough weight to hold bottom.
Comments are closed.