Fresh Brevard County Fishing Reports

Mullet run continues catch a mixed bag of snook,reds,and jack carvelle.

Friday September 28th. It’s been a slow September with weather being a significant factor and few reports from those venturing offshore. But when I heard of a friends recent Mahi, “dolphin fish” catch, my ears perked. I have several clients waiting for the Mahi run and this year it’s been few and far between. Looking at the weather and rip charts daily, scouring the vhf, calling on other fish captains, reading fishing reports, news feeds, talking to the guys at the tackle shop are helpful but nothing like being out there on the water fishing. It’s a passion for some, an obsession for others, and most certainly addictive. All three describe me. Fortunately, it’s my occupation, otherwise I would be paying others for the experience more often, which I still do at times, venturing to unknown parts with the help of a local guide. The truth is we could all use a little help from our friends. This is why I thought it would be good to share the experience of the day with you. It was a full moon. Not just any moon, it’s a harvest moon bringing large tidal swings. Off the dock and headed out to sea before 5 am by the light of this moon. A tank full of bait, caught fresh right there at the dock because the mullet run is in full swing. Most days we’re catching bait on either side of the entrance to Port Canaveral at first light, which was still a couple hours away. As soon as we were past the jetty fishing lines went in the water as we headed east. Driving a 45’ Hatteras Sportfisher with a tuna tower offers the advantage of sight distance beyond most smaller charter boats and recreational pleasure craft. Still no substitute for an excellent radar and echo sounder, which are under constant observation. Plenty of potential hazards along the way to be avoided, such as cruise ships, dredging barges, unlit anchor buoys, potential floating debris as well as other boats. No near misses or close calls to report today, it was a smooth sail out for this Captain. I’m a pelagic hunter always in search of migrating species like, tuna, wahoo, swordfish, Mahi and the like. These fish are often the best challenge and require a lot of time trolling rather than sitting on anchor or drifting for bottom fish. The edge of the Gulf Stream is usually where we find them traveling east to west over the cones and Oculina Bank 30 miles off of Cape Canaveral. However, we caught plenty of sailfish and wahoo in 130’ of water 15 miles from shore. It’s always a good thing to have a destination in mind and still be flexible. On this day there was an ominous lightning and thunderstorm storm well offshore in the direction I wanted to head and being cautious I chose to go NE towards 8A around the outside edge of the shoals staying way outside of the storms reach. Nothing on 8A so we went to Hummingbird which always produces something for me. By this time, it’s 9:30 am, we had trolled, dropped to the bottom, and still nothing is biting. Next, we trolled over the L Barge, no sign of life, nobody’s home. From there we went to the Warts, caught sharks where we usually catch snapper and grouper. It was a slow start to say the least. Let’s face it, most prefer to be catching but it’s called fishing for a reason. The storm had passed, and the outside edge was clear, so we headed for the cones. We trolled from the Top end of the Oculina Bank at Wart 3 all the way down to the Cooper wreck with only one Barracuda to speak of. So, then we dropped down 275’ on the Copper wreck, quite still. By this time, it’s 2pm and the Coast Guard is sending me notifications via AIS that the waters will be closed due to a rocket launch at 1730- 5:30 pm. We’re 32 miles from Cape Canaveral and I would have stayed well into the night because I’m just that kind of guy, like I said it’s a passion, a little bit of an obsession and definitely an addiction that usually rewards me with a healthy supper. This time I’m on my own dime, nobody is paying me for the experience today. Thankfully, because I would hate to disappoint and still everyone has days when they don’t bite. But you don’t know unless you go. And I really wanted to go. My first mate Caleb and I enjoyed the day, we never have bad days on the water, it’s just some days are more exciting than others. So here is where it gets interesting. On the way in at 4:30 the bottom sounder begins lighting up, all kinds of life where usually it’s a desert. Only this day we couldn’t stop because we had to be out of the zone by 1730. There was so much life on the screen for 4 miles between 100’ and 65’ feet of water. I would have liked nothing more than to fish that all night. The water temp there was a cool 84.5 degrees compared to 87 degrees 30 miles offshore. That Mahi run is coming soon, you never know when or where they will be, but you won’t know unless you go and get your lines wet. And sometimes you don’t have to go far, they could be right under your nose. Aloha Captain Rick

We are at the end of September and it has been one awesome month with our 2023 Fall Mullet Run. The snook and redfish have been on fire at Sebastian Inlet the last couple weeks. The mullet run is about 3/4 of the way through so we should still be getting some large schools coming down the beach and the lagoon through mid October. If this October is anything like last year, it will be nothing but snook slaying and filleting all month. Most of our inshore charters have been at the inlet lately for the simple reason, "that's where the fish are". We also had some excellent trips fishing along the mangrove shorelines, spoil islands, and the main channel for reds, snook, trout, and mangrove snapper as well. Coming into October we should still be looking at catching reds in the 20" to 30" range and snook of all sizes. Towards the end of October we should start to see those larger bull redfish showing up in the 35" to 50" range. Hopefully mother nature will be nice to us for awhile. We've had one rainy month with lots of scattered thunderstorms and a few windy days but it hasn't stopped the fishing. Sometimes the rainy days have some of the best action. October is usually on fire throughout the entire month for inshore fishing, so I'm definitely looking forward to seeing some drag screaming action.

Sheep head, mangrove snapper, grouper, you name it.. bob and ben caught it! Beautiful day in septmeber!

Headed out in some choppy seas but found the Blackfin Tuna and Cobia. Then did some bottom fishing for Grouper, Snapper, and the "ever elusive and Endangered Red Snapper". Thats a joke, we have more Red Snapper than ever before. You literally can't bottom fish without catching them on every drop! Got a STUD Triggerfish, weighed in at 8.5 lbs! The biggest Triggerfish I have ever seen live. Mixed bag of vermillion, grunts, and other miscellaneous bottom fish that we managed to get past the TONS of sharks out there.

September Surf Fishing Report September turned in a variety of catches surf fishing the Space Coast. Black drum, pompano, margate, palometas and snook recognize the main cast of characters. While the conditions weren’t always ideal, the time spent understanding the varying scenarios helped improve on the consistency of catching. Cleaner water and cooling temperatures are something that will invigorate the bite to the next level. Mullet Run Madness The mullet run has officially kicked off!! Early mornings and evenings are producing the best results for big snook. Look for birds crashing to illustrate the major feeding frenzies. Furthermore, walk the beach with a casting plug or swim bait to target the first and second trough. Remember not to retrieve to quickly when approaching the shore. Often times snook will hit directly at your feet in ankle high waters. Be sure to remain patient and creat action for the entirety of the retrieve. Tarpon Fishing The Surf In addition to the snook bite, there’s tarpon and bluefish in the mix as well. Live bait seems to be the key for getting the tarpon too bite. High tide combined with low light conditions will yield the best results. Not to mention there’s plenty of sharks mixed in. Don’t extend the fight longer then needed, as you risk losing your catch to an opportunistic shark. Black Drum Hitting The Shores We have been catching black drum in the first trough, along with margate, pompano, palometas. Water has not been very clean in august or the beginning of september. Fresh peeled shrimp continue the be the hot bait for targeting black drum at high tide. Furthermore the sandflea resurgence continues as we’re still seeing them in the surf. are still around. October Surf Fishing Forecast What’s with this weather? That can be the deliberation for surf fisherman during the month of October. Based on the winds and sea conditions the patterns began to become inconsistent compared to the summer months. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. For one it really fires up the movement of the fall mullet run. Furthermore it depicts a changing of the guard as we see different species pulse in with the changing water temperatures. So where does that leave the everyday surf fisherman? Flexibility is key for the month of October in terms of surf fishing the Space Coast. One day you could target snook, flounder and tarpon in the first trough. The next day possibly looking for black drum, pompano or bluefish using pompano rigs. Based on the conditions will dictate how each day or week should be approached. Leading me right into what conditions to look for in terms of how to most effectively spend your time surf fishing. Three variables that are the utmost important factors to consider when surf fishing. Water clarity, water temperature and sea conditions. Observations of these variables listed above, will result in the particular approach leading to the highest probability of success. For example, high winds and dirty water would lead me to live baiting or casting lures in the trough for snook, tarpon and flounder. As opposed to calm seas and clean water. These conditions would lead me to implementing a multiple rod setup. Consisting of live bait, pompano rigs with Fishbites and sand fleas, in addition a casting rod to work the shoreline. By making use of the diversified setups leads to increased opportunities to catch a large variety in short order. Pay special attention to the water temperatures! First of all, late October marks the early signs of our Space Coast pompano run. When the water temperatures begin to reach the mid to low 70’s you can bet those fish are already on the way if not already having reached to northern regions of Brevard County. Experienced surf fishing anglers privy to their homework will be ready for the prized pompano inbound. Nonetheless have your tackle ready for the opportunity as we know sometimes they can be short lived when a bite is hot. Fish multiple areas looking for those early signs of the pompano run and you just might strike gold early. Lastly the shark fishing will continue to be nothing short of phenomenal. Due to an all out assault of baitfish and predators in the water it’s peak season for shark activity. Space Coast Shark fishing charters make for a great way to make a memory and catch an apex sport fish. With the acrobatic jumps to boot and the speed to thrill it’s a one stop shop for a family fishing highlight. In conclusion, October highlights a changing of the guard and a wide array of species on tap. So grab your surf fishing gear and hit the beaches for fun in the sun.