Fishing Reports for Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River, Banana River, Sebastian River and Offshore Port Canaveral
We try to update this fishing report bi-weekly. All of our fishing reports are by the Captains listed on this site for the Indian, Banana and Sebastian Rivers from Daytona Beach to Vero Beach. All fishing reports are based on the trends we see at the time and forecasts for the next few weeks. If you would like to receive our updated reports, information about new tackle we have field tested and tips on how we put fish in the boat click here and join our mailing. All of the information you provide is kept confidential and you may unsubscribe at any time.
Cocoa Beach, Merritt Island & Titusville by Capt Doug Blanton
Melbourne, Sebastian & Vero Beach by Capt. Terry Lamielle
Stickmarsh and Farm 13 report by Capt. Terry Lamielle
Mosquito Lagoon Fishing report
Capt. Doug Blanton's Cocoa Beach Fishing Report
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Flats Report for Cocoa Beach & Titusville areas
November 19th, 2008 fishing report by Capt Doug Blanton
Summary
It looks like winter is starting a little early this year in Cocoa Beach, so let the rollercoaster ride begin. If you have lived here in Florida you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't this is what you are in for. We have some great days on the water catching a little bit of everything including: reds, trout, tarpon, blues, jacks, ladyfish, pompano, spanish mackerel and a few more. The problem is one day the fishing is hot and the next day, well, it is real slow. My problem as a guide is I can't tell you what the day is going to be like until we get out and give it a shoot. The good news is we typically have more good days than bad. The trick to winter time fishing is getting out, putting in the time and giving it a chance.
During this unstable time I have found a few things that have helped us put fish in the boat when other have struggled. First, slow down your retrieve. We get some big reds and trout on some of the coldest days by not making the fish work for their meal. Remember, fish are cold blooded and have a tendency to ambush bait more than getting out and working for it. Second, Match the hatch. If you see a lot of pinfish on a flat you want to use some thing that looks like pinfish. Something I see a lot of this time of year is a lot of needlefish and ballyhoo. With that in mind I fish a lot of Bass Assassins, Green back High Rollers and needlefish flies. Third, Big baits work best on larger fish. Not only do these fish not want to work for food. They want the most bang for their buck. Why snack when you want a meal. My last tip is to work areas where there is bait. In the early mornings the bait likes to hang around deeper, protested water. However, as the sun comes up and the flats begin to warm up the bait will start working the shallow water and the predators will too.
Redfish
Most of the reds schooled up a few weeks ago when the water cooled off then split up again as it got back in the 80's. Now that we have had a few cold nights the fish are starting to school again. As I said earlier, you want to throw big slow moving baits to these bigger fish. Many of the reds we have caught over the past few weeks are around 35 to 40 pounds.
Now to contradict everything I have said. We also have a few smaller slot sized fish working these areas too. We have had our best luck with these fish throwing small bait fish patterns that look like what we always called candy mullet. That is little 1 to 2 inch mullet.
All of our fish have been in less than a foot and a half and are very spooky. So keep the trolling motor off and make long casts. Also, be aware of your shadow. That can be hard on these days with the east wind but take it from me. Few things can spook a red more than a long shadow passing over a red just laying up in a sandy hole.
Trout
The trout bite picked up a bit when the water started to warm up. Now most have started to move back to their winter holes. On days when these fish are schooled up like this we have had some of our best luck in the late mornings and afternoons working the flats near these holes after the bait has moved in. Once again, Big slow baits. Trout are the worsted for refusing small bait on a cold flat. Personally I like a 4 and a half inch to six inch walk the dog lure. I do what I call a lazy walk. That is only tapping it about every 5 seconds or so. When I see a fish start to show interest I start a little faster cadence to make it look like it is starting to try to get away.
The key to big trout is bait, bait, bait. If there isn't any around move on. Also, When looking for bait you don't want to see a lot of birds around. Trout do not like flats with pelicans crashing everywhere. Now that's not to say that wont move in after the birds have moved on. The same goes for flats where dolphin have been working real hard. Remember, easy meal. These predators leave scraps. We have boated some good reds and trout in areas where other predators have been feeding.
Tarpon and Snook
Tarpon in the winter? Yes, we are catch small tarpon out almost every day. That is one of the great things about this time of year. When the cold weather comes it pushes the tarpon in to deep holes where they love to eat. Most of the tarpon we have been catch have been on fly due to the size of the bait they are eating but a few can also be caught on every small twitch baits.
Other stuff
For those of you wanting to put together a trip to this area my wife is now booking hotel rooms for my clients. She can get you a rate as good as any of the online sites and knows what places are nice and the ones you want to stay away from. There is no charge for this service and she can book any hotel you want. She also does airline tickets, car rentals and cruises
Many of you have asked me over the years about the Fishing Lanyard I wear. I have started making them for the Fly Fisherman and they now have them in both stores. These make a great gift for the fisherman that has everything else. I now also have them on my website at this link Fishing Lanyards.
until next time.....
Get out there and catch a memory.
Capt. Doug Blanton
To book a trip with Capt Doug click here or call 321-432-9470
Pictures of fish caught on my charters
Here is the "Inshore Flats Kit" High Roller put together with my favorite High Roller Lures. This is a must for redfish, trout, snook and tarpon. Click on this link for more information on High Rollers Inshore Flats Kit.
Places to find the lures I use.
In Titusville go to the Fly Fisherman or call 321-267-0348
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Tips for catching redfish in Cold Water
Tackle I use. rods, lures and more
Sight fishing flat, clear, skinny water
Sight catching fish with Top Water
Links to weather forecasts I use
Here's one for all you that I have convinced their is a science to fishing.
Melbourne, Sebastian and Vero Beach
Links to weather forecasts I use
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