Finally a break in the weather and that means offshore fishing should start to heat up.
That means cobia better watch out.
“It’s that time of year,” said Gene Lytwyn at The Fishin' Hole in Daytona Beach. “Talked to a couple of people who said they’re starting to search for cobia. There were a few manta rays passing by with cobia on them.”
OFFSHORE: Capt. Doug Davis (saltybonesnewsmyrna.com) gave a good short-term report of improving conditions for the next couple of days, but added there will be “wind and elevated seas increasing again as we approach the weekend.” Fishin' Cove Bait & Tackle in New Smyrna Beach reports dolphin were being caught before the weather turned bad. Lytwyn said he talked to a few captains who got out before the weather turned back last week, and got reports of a few wahoo and some small dolphins.
MOSQ. LAGOON, INDIAN RIVER: Snook is the hot bite, according to Fishin' Cove Bait & Tackle, with some coming in in the 30- to 32-inch range. Some sheepshead are still around as well as the trout. Live shrimp is the hot bait. Capt. Michael Savedow (EdgewaterRiverGuide.com) said chilly water is yielding sheepshead, whiting, bluefish and trout with widespread crevalle jack and ladfyfish. “(We’re) seeing cruising shovelnose sharks in the backwaters and occasional tarpon roll,” he added.
PONCE INLET, HALIFAX RIVER: Lytwyn said there’s some snook and trout hanging around the bridges at night, and some sheepshead, mangrove snapper and reds in the daytime.
SURF, PIERS: When weather allows, the Main Street Pier is seeing some whiting, pompano and black drum with a few flounder under the pier, Lytwyn said. The Sunglow Pier reports pompano, whiting, blues and small sharks.
ST. JOHNS RIVER: Panfish and blue gill are being taken with worms and crickets, said Capt. Bryn Rawlins at Highland Park Fish Camp in DeLand. “They’re catching them around Lake Woodruff,” she said. The bass are still finicky.
TOMOKA BASIN, RIVER: “Fishing is tough at this time in the basin and Tomoka River,” said Capt. Barry Englehardt (fishwithcaptainbarry.com). “After being away for five days, we were able to boat a 29-inch red and four small reds.” He’s still waiting for black drum and trout to show up in numbers, and said, “South of the inlet seems to have more fish than north.”
MATANZAS INLET, RIVER: It’s trout time, says Capt. Chris Herrera (palmcoastfishing.com). “This is a big gator trout month,” he said. “There’s some nice, big trout working the deeper pockets in creeks on the moving tide, incoming or outgoing. I’ve been free-lining nice jumbo shrimp on a small hook.” He added monster blue fish are moving off the inlets, close to rocks, on live bait.
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