Fresh Cocoa Beach Fishing Reports

Surf fishing conditions continue to be a roller coaster ride for the month of November. Without any consistent patterns holding true it’s been challenging for beach fishing to take place with much efficacy. Wind, waves and dirty water clarity have been factors thwarting the beach fishing scene along the Space Coast. Front after front with prevailing North and Northeast winds tampered with ever developing a stable surf fishery. For those who persisted the rewards were sharks, whiting, croakers, catfish, bluefish, pompano and Jack crevalle. Fishing near Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral provided more ideal fishing conditions in the early part of the week. Catches of pompano and whiting along with bluefish and Jack Crevalle were caught. Pleasantly surprised to not have to deal with seaweed during the first part of the week before the winds cranked up. The bluefish were chewing heavy on shrimp and cut bait, along with the occasional Jack crevalle and ladyfish. Pompano fishing still isn’t happening to the dissatisfaction of most. With the unruly conditions ans current location of the major schools it’s been like watching paint dry in anticipation. The warmer weather from the prior week actually stabilized ocean temperatures halting the flooding migration of fish south. These fish are currently being caught in numbers from Daytona to Jacksonville so the times coming even though we probably still have a week or two before the floodgates open up. Without the pompano fishing to take the cake, we’ve relied on shark fishing trips to excite surf fishing clients looking to bend the rod. This fishery still hasn’t disappointed with multiple hookups possible in a four hour fishing trip. The key is the fresh cut bait with mullet being particularly successful this week along with croakers. There’s been a surplus of croakers when fishing the first or second trough so don’t be worried about the capacity to acquire fresh bait. As mentioned before this week hasn’t been all rainbows and unicorns in the surf fishing world. Dirty water conditions infiltrated the central and southern beaches bringing with it heaps of catfish. As any experienced surf fishing angler knows this can be discouraging and down right exhausting catching one after another. Even though our beach fishing charters have been catching pompano, sheepshead, whiting and bluefish, it hasn’t been without sifting through the high numbers of kitty cats. Looking forward to this Thanksgiving weekend as the conditions towards the weekend began to improve. Be the first one to know if the Pompano have arrived by being persistent and getting your lines wet over the holiday weekend. If bending the rod is your goal keep half your gear fishing chunked bait in close for bluefish, Jack crevalle and sharks. Take the other half of the gear and dial it up for pompano, sheepshead, whiting and black drum using Fishbites with sandfleas, shrimp or clams. Enjoy the holiday weekend with family and friends and hit the sand for some fun in the sun!

Surf fishing charters were put on hold for a few days last week due to the wave heights, wind and king tides. While the surfing was exceptional and enjoyed by us locals, the conditions for fishing left little to be desired. Improvements in the fishery came towards the latter part of the week when anglers had an effective opportunity to hit the sand. Pompano, whiting, bluefish, blacktip sharks and black drum made an impressive showing once the ocean settled. As forecasted, these cold fronts are dropping the water temperature in a hurry. Throughout the week each day had a little more chill on the water, and now we’re reaching the ideal temperatures to see the real action. Pompano continued to be caught in both northern and southern regions of the county, but without the big numbers. If you have the patience, it surely will pay off with single-digit keeper pompano while releasing the numerous smalls. With this being said, the pompano that do measure are real winners and a satisfying achievement with current fishing conditions. The top baits of choice have been clams, sand fleas and shrimp. Specifically the clams have performed very well in contrast to the shrimp and sand fleas. Not to mention, any of these scents can be utilized with Fishbites product to substitute for the scent profile you may be missing with your bait of choice. Pompano rigs with white and chartreuse floats seem to be particularly effective as of late. With the northerly winds forecasted for the early part of the week, expect water clarity conditions to continue to improve and adjust the color combinations as correlated. This method will be the most productive for pompano, whiting and black drum. While the above mentioned tactics prove best for the higher pedigree table fare species, there’s plenty of opportunities for bluefish and mackerel as well. These toothy critters have been a constant available option no matter the surf size or winds present. Chunked baits or rapidly retrieved spoons will be the ticket to hook into bluefish and mackerel in the surf. First trough and slightly beyond seem to be holding the steady numbers with ladyfish and jack crevalle in the mix also. The shark fishing has yet to diminish, and I don’t see an immediate end in sight. Multiple species of sharks with black tips being the main attraction have bent rods producing blistering runs for shark fishing enthusiasts. The transition period as the water temperatures drop have left vibrant waters teeming with sharks and fish alike. Beef up your tackle or expect plenty of breakoffs while targeting other species. The surf fishing waters encompassing the Space Coast are a competitive arena currently with a high probability of opportunistic sharks taking advantage of a hooked fish. So get out there, bait them up and reel them in quick!

Active waters made for a lively surf fishing scene here on the Space Coast. The mullet run continues to deliver bubbling surfaces with predatory fish like tarpon, bluefish, ladyfish, jacks and sharks taking full advantage. Each day has brought with it waves of mullet, pilchards and horn bellies sweeping down the beach. This in turn has resulted in varying schools being ambushed at local area beaches with the higher tide proving to be the most successful. Opportunities at hand have been thwarted specifically when the seaweed and dirty water takes over. The abundance of seaweed can restrict one's ability to access the first and second trough with any effectiveness. Not all days encountered this issue. Certain days provided ample conditions while others just simply were too detrimental to access the fish. Reports varied on a daily basis. Cocoa Beach was freed of the inhibiting seaweed later in the week while Melbourne Beach to Sebastian Inlet beaches had an influx after the northeasterly winds shifted the seaweed south. All in all, plenty of fish are being caught with the above-mentioned seaweed issues. The persistent surf fishermen are having success with whiting, short pompano, bluefish, ladyfish and jack crevalle and sharks, caught on bait or lures. Fresh cut bait deployed in the exploding first trough resulted in the majority of bluefish and sharks, while a rapidly retrieved spoon created catches of ladyfish, jack crevalle and a few Spanish mackerel. Fresh dead shrimp, sand fleas and Fishbites brought home the targeted whiting, pompano and sheepshead for supper. Relying upon one method of surf fishing isn’t a wide choice this time of year. The wide variety of species running the shores has resulted in our surf fishing charters staying flexible and diverse. Running surf fishing equipment for sharks and tarpon while coinciding this with light tackle, live bait fishing and dead sticks with pompano rigs for pompano and whiting. This playbook ensures a unique approach to let the current conditions dictate the most effective manner to target fish with the multiple opportunities on hand. Exciting times are upon us as everyone eagerly awaits the first major schools of pompano to show. The water clarity has continuously improved from prior weeks, which will dictate the probability of success when the pompano do make their presence in Brevard County waters. The lone rangers and resident fish are currently present but the big numbers are still up the coast north of Jacksonville. With all that being considered, it’s just a matter of weeks coupled with a few cold fronts to get the show underw

The fall mullet run in Florida has hit full stride over the past week. Schools of baitfish with the majority being mullet are pouring down Space Coast beaches. This in turn has triggered exceptional surf fishing with snook, flounder, bluefish and ladyfish taking full advantage of this opportunity. With the listed species having been caught up and down the Brevard coast, the majority of consistent catches are being reported from Patrick Air Force Base south to Sebastian Inlet. Taking part in this fishery can be multifaceted with many options available. My preferred method involves live bait or artificial lures with a minimal setup to keep things mobile. Casting rod, castnet and small tackle bag is all that’s needed. Check multiple locations for key signs of life including diving birds, fleeing baitfish and crashing fish. Once you find the increased activity, deploy a live mullet, croaker or threadfin in the first trough and hang on. If live bait isn’t an option, walk the shores in the same pattern with a bucktail jig, lipped diving plug or swim bait. Presentation holds the key for success so take note of the conditions on hand. The size of the surf, current and wind dictates what size weight and how to hook the bait for the preferred action desired. I prefer the bait slightly restricted rolling in the trough being pulled in and out with the wave’s motion. Depending on conditions, use anywhere from a split shot to a two ounce weight to maintain the ideal areas for ambush feeding. Light tackle makes a ton of fun for catching these fish in the shallower depths,rewarding the efforts of surf anglers with prized species of snook and flounder. Realizing the changing of the seasons is just on the horizon has many anglers efforts focused on the mullet run, but this doesn’t mean the traditional surf fishing method with pompano rigs isn’t an effective approach currently. Whiting continues to be consistent on a rising tide and also pompano with the majority being undersized. Fishbites and live sand fleas continue to perform best when fishing this rising tide targeting the outflows running off the beach. Don’t be surprised if a snook, bluefish or ladyfish engulf this setup as well. Additionally the pompano rig with live or dead mullet has accounted for many snook catches as well. In summary I’m excited to keep working the bait schools and dabble with the pompano and whiting. Knowing just around the corner the snook and baitfish will abate leading into the full blown pompano run. Changing out gear and tactics for chasing one of my favorite fish will return just as soon as the water temperature creeps down. So for now it’s taking advantage of the wild fishery that is the fall mullet run and prepping the tackle for the first schools of pompano that are soon to arrive. Enjoy the explosiveness that’s defining our fishery currently and what’s coming in the upcoming months.

Fall is upon us and what an exciting time it is for surf fishing anglers on the Space Coast. The annual fall mullet run will be ignited into another dimension with the baitfish pouring down our coastline. Mix this annual occurrence with a change in the weather and water temps and look for a dynamic fishery over this fall period. Snook, tarpon, flounder, jack crevalle, bluefish, sharks and much more compete for the available resources. Many days can turn into an all out feeding frenzy with shark and fish species hurling through the air leaving the waters surface boiling with action. Look for snook fishing to reign supreme as the top topic of discussion during the mullet run. This time of year has always been a favorite for most as the ease of access and productive opportunities go hand in hand. Simply grab a spinning rod rigged with 20-40lb braided line accompanied by a swim bait, diving plug, or top water action and walk the shores casting and retrieving in the various pockets of concentrated baitfish. This opportunistic approach results in the full gamut of species to ensure no stone goes unturned. Matching the hatch of the size of baitfish also brings another level of success so always be keen to adjusting lure size for those reasons. Snook fishing won’t be the only fishery firing off with the change in the weather. Tarpon and sharks will be hammering the migrating baitfish pods and the multiple fish species that coincide with this natural event. With the bluefish and Jack crevalle becoming so concentrated on these bait pods, the shark and tarpon lie beneath pouncing the entirety of the water column to capitalize. Generally the larger of the tarpon and sharks will be just outside the surf casters range but this mullet run phenomenon provide just the opportunity one needs to bring them into the first and second trough making these species accessible for live bait casters or artificial lures. Not to be outdone by the headliner species of snook, tarpon and sharks, but the whiting, pompano, Jack crevalle and bluefish make for a perfect family fun fishing trip. Highly active and engaging for all ages this time of year makes a rod bending seem like a breeze. Fish species ranging in all sizes will be abound with this flood of food charging down the waters edge. Look for sand fleas, fresh shrimp and clams rigged on a pompano rig tipped with Fishbites to keep the volume coming. This time of year the first large schools of pompano began to show from the north escaping the cooling waters and wintering to the south. All in all for surf fishing anglers this seasonal event feels like Christmas comes early, so get out and take advantage of this transitional and rich fishery over the course of the period.

Surf fishing the central east coast of Florida during the last week has been impressive around the state. Especially when considering the detrimental conditions that have plagued the fishery on and off for the last couple months. With the seaweed retreating From the gulf coast to the east coast surf fishing anglers are reaping the rewards. Pompano catches continue to impress for this seasonal time period. In addition to the pompano fishing there’s been consistent catches of big snook, whiting and sharks. Pick a target species to have the proper surf fishing gear required for the task at hand. Typically this time of year Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters runs a multi rod setup to acquire the smattering of species available. Based on beach fishing charters this last week we have half the rods dedicated to pompano, whiting, sheepshead and drum. The remainder of of our surf fishing rigs are dedicated to predatory species like snook, redfish, flounder and sharks. This approach can lead to the most effective way of targeting the diversity of fish available. Snook fishing the beach from Sebastian inlet north to Patrick Air Force base has been red hot. If you ever dreamed of hooking into a large snook now is the time. Surf casting a live bait rig for these giants has yielded astonishing results. Mullet and croakers which can be caught in the surf and hooked onto a live bait rig has been the ticket to success. With extremely calm summer surf conditions a variety of rods can be easily maintained due to the lack of wind and current. Cast live bait rigs into the deepest part nearest to the shoreline referred to as the trough. Use of a 40-60lb Fluorocarbon leader with a 4/0 to 6/0 circle attached is a must. With that being said always match the size of the bait to the hook size to correlate. These giant snook are out of season currently so make sure to have a healthy landing and clean release. Don’t take them out of the water too long and always support the belly with your other hand. Also be careful of the gill plate on the side of the head which can act as a serrated blade causing deep lacerations if improperly handled. There’s no telling how long this exceptional opportunity will persist. Visit your local bait shops like black dog bait and tackle or man over board bait in tackle for the most recent trends in the bite. If there was anytime to attempt a grand slam of surf fishing now is the time. Prepare surf fishing equipment at home prior to the planned day so everything will be in order for success. Fish Bites, sand fleas, and shrimp for the the pompano and whiting fishing have been the ticket. Dedicate the other rods with a fish finder rig with the live baits mentioned above. Then hang on and have fun!