Fishing Report Archive
7/18/03 report for Sebastian area flats by Capt. Terry
Saltwater
Well,
summer is definitely here. High ninety degree temperatures and afternoon thunder
storms are the regular these past few weeks. Water temperatures are in the mid
80's to 90 degrees. This makes fishing tuff. It all makes for the DOG DAYS OF
SUMMER patterns. Very early starts are the habit to get into so as to get a
bite. Usually from 5:30 am. to 8:30 am is the time frame to find fish out on the
prowl in skinny water. Finding schools of bait will increase your chances as
well to hooking up. After the morning first bite slows finding clean water in
the 3-5 ft. depth will continue to get bites from smaller Trout and Ladyfish to
keep the rod bent. The Snook bite was good earlier in the month but has slowed
down when the moon started getting full. Hopefully the New Moon will bring a
better feeding pattern for these game fish.
Freshwater
The
Stickmarsh is still producing a bite on the Farm side in and around topped out
Hydrilla. Swimming worms over the top of matted out grass has been producing
some exciting topwater action throughout the day. Still/calm days are tougher to
get the bite going but if the wind picks up just a little to put a slight chop
on the water these Bass go on a feed. Once again the mornings are producing the
better bites.
For more information on fishing with Capt. Terry click here
7/16/2003 Flats fishing report for the Titusville & Cocoa Beach area. By Capt Doug Blanton
Summer is here! You can count on thunderstorms every afternoon and tarpon in the canals at first light. This has been a great week so far. The trout are plentiful on the flats in the early mornings. Snook are starting to feed a little better on top water. Reds are feeding late mornings and afternoon and as I mentioned earlier, the juvenile tarpon have started showing up in the early am. To sum it all up, It's Slam Time in Central Florida.
Redfish
Redfish has been much better on the Banana River this past week. Most of the reds have been waiting till late morning to show up but when they do they have been more than willing to take a lure. Most of the fish we have seen have been in 2 feet or less, in most cases less. Due to the depth of water and how calm it has been out there for the past week, they have been rather spooky. This means our best strikes have come by casting to these fish from as far away as possible. Most of the reds we have found have also been in or near large schools of mullet or cursing the outer edge of the weedlines searching for lunch.
Most of the reds we have been catching over the past few weeks have been on Cotee's Reel Magic in Rainbow trout rigged with a 5/0 Daiichi Bleeding Copperhead Hook . or on #4 gold tin liz flies. A few fish have been willing to take top water but only those worked slowly around the edge of the schools of bait. Most of these fish have been in the 5 to 10 lbs range.
Trout
Trout fishing Has been much better over the past few weeks. we have managed a few fish up to 8 lbs but most have been just under slot. Most of the trout we have caught have been near large schools of bait.
In the early mornings we have found a few fish willing to take top water plugs worked slowly on the outer edge of the bait. Our best catches have come on the Original High Roller in the green back or Florida Special. We have also caught a few on my favorite, the green back Rip Roller , however, you have to work this lure real slow. The prop has been spooking the fish. In the afternoons we have had our best luck on pearl Cotee grubs. When it comes to flies, we have had our best luck on #4 shrimp flies in morning and afternoon.
Everything else
The tarpon have been feeding best in the early morning hours on small top water plugs like the 3.25 Pop Roller or the 3.25 Crank Roller in Golden shiner. Our best strikes have come by working these lures very slowly in areas where you have seen them rolling.
The snook have been feeding pretty good from early morning till early afternoon. A few times they have been willing to take the Rip Roller but most have been caught on clear DOA shrimp. All of the snook we have seen have been in tight against the shoreline.
Large schools of ladyfish have been working the areas near sandbars and near the main channel. Just look for the schools of glass minnows and cast anything shinny. I always carry a light fly rod just for these fish. We hook a 4 pounder today that striped a good 50 feet into backing. These fish will hit almost anything but try bonefish flies when throwing fly. You'll find you get more hook-ups and get a cleaner hook-set. When casting spinning I recommend casting grubs. You get a cleaner hook-set and do a lot less damage to the fish.
Get out there and catch a memory. Capt. Doug
For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug click here.
6/6/03 report for Sebastian area flats by Capt. Terry
Saltwater
Summer has arrived and the heat is on in Central Florida. Early morning has been
the better time for a good topwater bite. Finding and locating bait is the key
to a successful day. Predator fish will be close by these bait pods and will be
willing to strike many types of lures thrown to them. After the sun has come up
higher in the sky the topwater action slows and seeking the deeper water
adjacent to the same flats will still get a bite. Switching to grubs, suspending
type twitch baits and spoons will get the job done. As of this report the waters
are lower than I would like for the many mangrove shorelines to hunt for Snook
laying in wait for prey to feed on. These water levels won't last long as summer
afternoon thunder storms will be a daily factor for some time and the water s
will begin to rise. This creates two things on the Lagoon system. Waters along
the mangroves will begin to rise so the Snook will move very close to the
vegetation and current will be present which is a big factor in finding these
fish to feed better. Also these storms have a cooling off effect on the Lagoon
and if you can get on the water after one has passed through it can be an
exciting time of catching fish as they also like the cooling effect as we humans
do. We must be very cautious as these storms can be very intense with lightning
being dangerous. Be smart and head in so as you may get to fish another day and
not be a statistic of disaster.
Freshwater
The Stickmarsh has been living up to it's reputation lately for numbers of quality size fish as well as some lunkers caught in between. Since my last report dozens of big fat fish have been taken with artificial baits. The water levels are up but never underestimate the stump loaded waters is a safe place to run on plane yet. Caution is always advisable. This water wonderland can be fished with just about any lure that you feel confident in fishing with. These Bass don't care as they are very aggressive to say the least. We have been using Senco soft plastic baits for the worm bite and Highroller Rip Roller lures for topwater hits. Fishing the many areas with heavier hydrilla I have been fishing the 5" Gambler flappin' Shad weedless for some exciting blasts in the matted vegetation. When the winds have picked up and chops the water to much to throw topwater or to feel your worm we have been switching to spinner baits and Rattle Traps to keep the bite going.
For more information on fishing with Capt. Terry click here
6/11/2003 Flats fishing report for the Titusville & Cocoa Beach area. By Capt Doug Blanton
Fishing has been like a roller coaster on the Banana River since Memorial Day weekend. Prior to that weekend the reds where schooled up in groups from 50 to 150 fish and willing to eat most days. Now they are on one day and off the next. They have become like trying to predict the weather. So for those of you who have had a few of those day over the past few weeks, your not alone.
Also, one of my charters this past week wanted to make sure that I mentioned that a manatee pushing water on the outside of a flat looks a lot like a school of bull reds pushing water.
Redfish
When the reds have decided to show up and play over the past few weeks most have been in 2 to 4 feet of water cruising the outside edge of the flats. A good way of telling how these fish are going to act is by paying attention to how deep they are running. If you are in 3 feet of water and the reds are holding close to the bottom there is a good chance they are not interested in feeding. If they are closer to the surface you will probably have a better chance. Now the clincher, It is just like my chemistry teacher always said," the first rule of nature is that things are always the same unless they aren't".
Most of the reds we have been catching over the past few weeks have been on Cotee's Reel Magic in Rainbow trout rigged with a 5/0 Daiichi Bleeding Copperhead Hook . worked slowly around the edge of the schools. Most of these fish have been in the 15 to 20 lbs range.
Trout
Trout fishing slowed down a lot since the water temp broke 80. There have been a few fish willing to play but nothing worth talking about.
To sum things up. It's summer, if you want to have a great day on the water you are going to have to get up early or chase thunderstorms until this high pressure system passes.
Get out there and catch a memory. Capt. Doug
For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug click here.
Here are a few pictures since my last report.
5/16/2003 Flats fishing report for the Titusville & Cocoa Beach area. By Capt Doug Blanton
The reds are schooling and the trout are busting mullet on the spoil Islands, it must be spring. This past few weeks have reminded me of years gone by when my dad would take me out before daylight in search of a screaming drag. I can think of few things I enjoy more in life than to be on the water as the sun begins to rise and that first shimmer of sunlight across a flat reveals a silhouette of redfish tales.
Redfish
The larger reds (30 to 40 lbs) have been schooled up on the flats every day for the past few weeks now. The only problem we have had is that are very spooky and only willing to hit top water. A good friend of mine says I have them trained. The bad news is you can usually only get on cast at them before they push off into deeper water and get a bad case of lockjaw. The good news is the smaller reds (15 to 25 lbs) have been a little more cooperative. They have been willing to fished in some cases up to 2 hours. Please remember when fishing these schools to only cast to them when they tailing or feeding. People chasing reds around the river is one of the reasons these fish are becoming harder to catch. Once a school has spooked if you lay back and watch you will see that 9 times out of 10 they will only push off a few feet and go back to feeding.
All of the reds we have caught this past week have been on top water. The key to boating most of them has been a slow quiet retrieve. We have had our best luck with the Original High Roller in the green back or Florida Special. When fishing the larger reds I have been changing out my hooks to a #4 Daiichi's 3x Bleeding treble on the 3.25 and #2 on the 4.25. Remember when casting to these fish to place you lure a foot or two to the side and past the fish. Throwing a top water lure to reds is a lot like throwing rocks at them. If you cast too close you are going to spook them.
All of our smaller reds this week have been caught in 2 feet or less in grassy areas. They appear to be feeding on small crabs and grass shrimp. Most catches have come just prior to sunrise until around 9 am. However, don't give up on the afternoons. I hear a lot of people say that you can't catch reds after 1100 am. What they are really saying is it gets too hot for them. I have caught most of my best reds in the hottest part of the day.
Trout
Trout fishing has been great this past few weeks. We haven't put a lot of fish in the boat, but the ones we have, have been good sized. All were caught on 3 1/4 inch Florida Special Rip Roller rigged with a #4 Daiichi's 3x Bleeding treble hook. most of these fish have been between 3 to 5 lbs with one 8 lbs. Most were caught within the first hour after sunrise in a foot and a half or less in large schools of finger mullet.
Get out there and catch a memory. Capt. Doug
Here are a few pictures from last week.
Here are a few videos made by Zuni Bob on a fishing trip a few weeks ago. Thanks Zuni.
My tips for sight catching fish with Top Water!!! click here .
For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug click here
4/30/2003 Flats fishing report for the Titusville & Cocoa Beach area. By Capt Doug Blanton
Depending on how you look at, fishing has been great and slow. What I mean by that is the trout have been a lot smaller than they have been for the past few weeks with one or two exceptions. We have been putting only a few fish in the boat each day. But, the reds have been tailing in larger schools, and have been quite a bit larger. Many of the reds we have caught this week have been in the 20 to 30 pound range with a few larger fish showing up. So, to sum everything up, we are catching less fish but the ones we have been getting have been of great quality.
Redfish
Better late than never I always say. For the past 10 years in the middle of March the larger reds have shown up on the flats of the Banana River near Cocoa Beach. That is every year except this year. I was starting to wonder if we would even get a shot at them this year when I finally came across a school of 30 to 40 pound fish last week. I don't know if all the late cold snaps and rollercoaster water temps did it or they have just been a little slow this year. The good news is they are here. Now we just need them to start feeding.
Last week we fished a school of these bulls for over an hour without one strike. We through just about every lure I had and not one of them was wiling to play. Luckily a second school should up this week that has been a little slow to strike but is more than willing to make a drag scream.
Most of these fish have been willing to bust top water for the first few hours after sunrise. However, after 9 am if you still want a hookup they have only been willing to eat soft baits worked just above the bottom.
All of our reds this week have been caught in 2 feet or less in grassy areas. They appear to be feeding on small crabs and grass shrimp. Our best catches have come just prior to sunrise until around 9 am. After that they have been moving into deeper water and not tailing as much. All these fish have been very spooky. So, when stalking a flat for these fish you have to turn the trolling motor off and pole your way in from at least 100 yards out.
This brings up something I have put off for too long. If you see someone poling an area, Don't jump in front of them running your motor. Not only are you going to upset the person you are cutting off, you aren't going to catch anything either. The proper thing would be to cut your motor 100 yards or more off the flats and pole in 100 yards or so behind them. This way you still have a good shot at finding the fish they missed and the ones that got past them. I had to bring this up because I had someone do that to me this week and spooked a school of red off I had been following for about 30 minutes try to get close enough to to cast.
Once again, keep in mind that when the reds are spooky you may only get 2 or 3 casts at them. If you see them start to move off let them go and try to follow a few hundred feet behind until they settle down. Many times they will push a few feet away and start tailing again. Wait till you see this before you move in for a cast. If you don't it is like throwing rocks at them.
Most of our reds this past week were caught on
3 1/4 inch Florida Special Rip Roller rigged with a #4 Daiichi's 3x Bleeding treble
Cotee's Reel Magic in black/gold/flk rigged with a 5/0 Daiichi Bleeding Copperhead Hook
Cotee's purl Swimmin' Shad
Reds on Fly
Our best fish caught over the past few weeks on fly have been on black/white or black/gold #1 bend-backs with a red and gold body and #2 shrimp.
Trout
Trout fishing has been okay this week. It is starting to remind me of the summer trout bite. There are a lot of fish out there if you get out early enough. Once the sun moves over head they move off the flats and down to the bottom. Once this happens you can still catch a few on the surface but not nearly as many as at first light. When this happens switch over to a grub.
Most of the trout we are catching at this time are bit smaller this week. The only good thing is there have been a lot more of them. Most have been caught in or near schools of bait on top water in less than a foot before first light.. Once again as with the reds after 9 am the best catches have come on jigs or spoons in 3 to 4 feet on the outer edge of the flats.
If you find yourself catching a few of these little guys you may want to move on to something else or crush your barbs. If you are still finding a few larger fish try using a larger lure. This is a great way of weeding out the smaller fish. Keep in mind that every small trout you release unharmed is one more gator you may catch tomorrow.
All of our trout were caught on
3 1/4 inch Florida Special Rip Roller rigged with a #4 Daiichi's 3x Bleeding treble hook.
For my larger fish I throw a 4.25 Rip Roller or the 4.25 Original High Roller
Cotee's purl Swimmin' Shad
Everything else
Large schools of glass minnows have been working the middle of the river for the past week. We have only caught a few ladyfish around them so far. However, keep your eye on them in the early mornings. This is the time of year that the larger juvenile tarpon start showing up looking for a quick meal. Also watch for the larger jacks to be feeding on this schools.
Get out there and catch a memory. Capt. Doug
Here are a few pictures from last week.
Here are a few videos made by Zuni Bob on a fishing trip a few weeks ago. Thanks Zuni.
My tips for sight catching fish with Top Water!!! click here .
For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug click here
Flats Report for Melbourne and Sebastian Area
4/28/03 report for Sebastian area flats by Capt. Terry
The
weather has been the dominate force for making a bite happen or not these
last few weeks. The winter patterns have been somewhat
wanting to hang around here in Florida longer than we want. Only one cold front
since my last report but winds have been playing unfair to where and how we have
been fishing. As of this report the cold is behind us for sure and better bites
are just ahead.
Trout have been the better bite on the flats with early mornings and late
in the day being better times to hook into them. Finding clean water in the 1ft.
to 2ft. depths have been successful in hook-ups. Topwater plugs like a
Highroller Rip Roller
lures we have been using have made for some exciting blasts on top. When the
bite slows in the skinny water we have moved a little deeper and Rattle Trap
lures have been doing very well for us. I use the floating models so that they
don't sink down in the water column as much and fill with grass.
This past week the Snook bite is starting to show up along the many
mangrove shorelines as well. These fish have been away for a while as winter
weather and cold water keeps these sub-tropical fish in a dormant stage but when
the water temps start to get in the mid seventies and warmer it's time to throw
along the shorelines to hook into one of these hard fighting fish. As far as a
topwater bite there is no other fish that explodes on a plug as hard as a Snook.
Yesterday showed me that things are just getting started to happen as we boated
7 Snook in three hours with most being juvenal size but one measures 29" which
is in the keeper size limits. I like to throw a variety of lures for them as
many others will work also.
Highrollers Rip Roller,1/4 oz. gold spoons, floating style gold/black back
Rattletraps, and Gamblers 4" Flappin Shad have been my favorites. All these
lures are user friendly and easy to fish with. As far as line Power Pro in the
6/20 test is by far a great line to pull these fish away from the structure that
holds these fish.
Redfish have been slow to give a bite in my area but have been seeing
good numbers of these hard fighting fish. I've been finding these fish in very
skinny waters just barely enough to float the boat in. The ones that have bit
came on gold spoons weedless type.
The Stickmarsh has been fantastic the last couple of weeks for great
numbers and quality fish as well. Topwater baits along with soft plastic lures
have been the bait of choice. Fishing in or near Hydrilla has been the pattern
lately. There's nothing like dragging a soft plastic lure through matterd
Hydrilla and when it comes over and trough a little hole in the grass BLAM! If
this don't get you excited nothing will. Summer patterns are taking place on the
impoundment as early morning and late afternoons will be the best for the
topwater to produce. In the mid part of the day Carolina rigs being worked
around the old submerged roadbeds will be the ticket for some fantastic bites as
well. Until then...
Keep the line wet and good fishin',
Capt. Terry
"EASY DAYS"
For more information on fishing with Capt. Terry click here
4/17/2003 Flats fishing report for the Titusville & Cocoa Beach area. By Capt Doug Blanton
Fishing has been good this past week despite the full moon and cooler water temperatures. The name of the game has been find the mullet. If you can find the bait the fish are close by. Everything we caught this past week has been in or just outside of schools of larger mullet. Also, with the full moon our best catches have come around first light till around 10 am. As this moon passes you will start to see more fish willing to play in the afternoon. Also, keep your eye on the mouth of the cannels around Cocoa Beach. There have been a few snook and tarpon busting the surface at first light.
Redfish
Every time we have a full moon the reds have a tendency to feed best at night. This full moon has been a little bit of an exception. I believe this is due to the water temp. dropping last week and just beginning to rise within the past few days. The main thing I have been seeing is that the reds are a little spookier than normal for this time of year. I have watched these fish over the past few days get spooked of by someone starting their motor within a hundred yards of them. Spook off from someone running a trolling motor. And by us casting to many times at them. Keep in mind that when the reds are like this you may only get 2 or 3 casts at them. If you see them start to move off let them go and try to follow a few hundred feet behind until they settle down. Many times they will push a few feet away and start tailing again. Wait till you see this before you move in for a cast. If you don't it is like chasing them and throwing rocks at them.
Most of our reds this past week were caught on 3 1/4 inch Florida Special Rip Roller rigged with a #4 Daiichi's 3x Bleeding treble hook. in 2 feet or less. Once we had made a few casts at school and they started to become a little spooky we pulled a few more out using a 1/4 oz gold silver minnow. Most of the fish we found this past week were in the 6 to 16 pound range. However, I did see one school starting to move in with a few fish in the 30 pound range. Just remember to be a quite as possible when trying to move within casting range. I highly recommend cutting the motor a hundred yards or more off the flat you plain to fish or away from other boats. If you are not able to pole, bail out and wade to them. You will find you spot a lot more fish and put a few more in the boat.
There continues to be a good number of slot sized reds willing to bite in a foot or less in the early am. Our best catches have come using soft plastics such as Cotee's Reel Magic rigged with a 5/0 Daiichi Bleeding Copperhead Hook in black/gold/flk.
Reds on Fly
Our best fish caught over the past few weeks on fly have been on black/white or black/gold #1 bend-backs with a red and gold body.
Trout
The trout fishing slowed down with our last cold front but is starting to pick up now that the water temperature in back up in the low 70's. Now all we need is for this full moon to pass by and we are going to be looking at some great trout fishing. We put a few fish in the boat this past week up to 5 lbs but as the water continues to warm up you will begin to see more fish under 15 inches being caught. This is not to say that the larger fish will stop biting. You will just have to sort through the smaller fish. Usually start switching over to a larger plug this time of year a using something that will weed out most of the smaller trout.
All of our trout for the past few weeks have been caught on 3 1/4 inch Florida Special Rip Roller rigged with a #4 Daiichi's 3x Bleeding treble hook. As I start using larger baits I will start throwing 4.25 Rip Roller and the 4.25 Original High Roller in the Florida Special rigged with a #2 Daiichi's 3x Bleeding treble hook. If you haven't tried the bleeding hooks before you really need to give them a shot. Where ever you put the bleeding hook is where the fish will strike 9 out of 10 times.
Everything else
We have continued to see a few tarpon in the early morning showing up in the mouths of the canals near Cocoa Beach. Schools of larger jacks have been chasing mullet along the outer edge of the flats. Snook have been starting to bust bait near the mangroves. larger ladyfish have been starting to move around the outer edge of the flats where glass minnows are present. The main thing to keep in mind is, look for the bait. If there isn't any, move on to somewhere else.
Get out there and catch a memory. Capt. Doug
Here are a few pictures from last week.
Here are a few videos made by Zuni Bob on a fishing trip a few weeks ago. Thanks Zuni.
My tips for sight catching fish with Top Water!!! click here .
3/28/03 report for Sebastian area flats by Capt. Terry
Well,
folks winter has just about left the state at this time. It did try one more
time to put a chill in the air this past couple of days but the only thing that
hurt the fishing was that the water temperatures dropped from the low 80's to
high 60's in just 3 days. This has slowed the bite down until we get some warmer
evenings to go along with the daily warm up. Trout can still be found on the
flats where they will take grubs swimming close to the bottom. The Snook bite
has completely shut off as they cannot tolerate cold as well as Trout and
Redfish. Tarpon are showing up in good numbers in local area canal systems.
These fish are weighing in at 20-40 pounds. Getting them to hit your lure is the
hard part. Grubs working close to the bottom had a couple of hookups today but
the fight didn't last long. The others just turned up their noses at what we
threw.
At the Stickmarsh and other area lakes the Bass bite is nothing but
Explosive. These fish have had some spawned out and some that have not.
Artificial baits are taking great numbers on the Stickmarsh with great success.
Most of these fish are in the 3-5 LB. size but plenty have also fallen into the
lunker award size at a regular pace. Large dark worms and lizards are taking
their fair share but topwater
Highroller lures are
getting blasted as well.
Tip of the week...
Work an area thoroughly and if no action before moving on try a different
lure and see if they respond to a change. Finding a pattern is a great
satisfaction and what fishing is all about.
Until then...
Keep the line wet and good fishin',
Capt.Terry Lamielle
For more information on fishing
with Capt. Terry click here
3/14/2003 Flats fishing report for the Titusville & Cocoa Beach area. By Capt Doug Blanton
Spring is almost here! The temperature got up to 85 on the flats today and the wind has been a lot kinder all week. Schools of bait seem to be growing larger by the day and the fishing has been good. This week hasn't been a week of loading the boat with fish but everything we have caught has been great quality fish. For example, the most fish we put in the boat one day ways 3 reds 6 to 11 pounds and 12 trout 4 to 8 pounds. The great thing was all of the fish caught that day were on top water. As this upcoming full moon passes we should be in for a few months of the best fishing of the year. Last year at this time we had days were we put 11 reds (6 to 35 pounds) and 40+ trout (2 to 10 pounds) in the boat off top water.
So with that said, clean the dust off your rods and grab your fishing buddy and get out and have some fun.
Redfish
There have been 2 schools of reds working the flats of the Banana River for over a week now. Most of these fish have been in the 6# to 10# range with most of them being within the 18 to 27 inch slot. Both of these schools have been moving fast chasing schools of mullet as they come across them in 1 to 3 feet of water. These fish have been more than willing to take top water. All of the fish we have pulled out of these schools have been caught on 3 1/4 inch Florida Special Rip Roller or the 3 1/4" HighRoller™ in Florida Special or their new Green back. For those of you who have fished with me and used the green back, High Roller has made my secret color available to everyone now.
In addition to the schools, there have been numerous single reds tailing in the early am in a foot or less water. These fish have been quite spooky. The only thing we have been able to tease these fish with has been Cotee's Reel Magic rigged with a 5/0 Daiichi Bleeding Copperhead Hook in black/gold/flk.
Trout
The trout fishing has been great most of this week. We put 26 fish in the boat this week over 4 pounds. All of our trout were found mixed in or near schools of bait in 1 to 3 feet of water. Now the best part, they were all caught on Top Water!!!! Once again these fish as well as the reds were caught on 3 1/4 inch Florida Special Rip Roller. Our best catches can between sun rise and noon on cloudy days and until 9 on clear days.
Everything else
We saw a few snook moving on the flats this week but none of them wanted to play. It is just a matter of time before we start to here them busting the surface at first light. Schools of 2 to 8 pound jacks started prowling the flats this week. 1 to 4 pound ladyfish started working the outer edge of the flats.
These are the days that dreams come true on the flats, so get out there and catch a memory. Capt. Doug
My tips for sight catching fish in skinny flat water click here .
For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug click here
Flats Report for Melbourne and Sebastian Area
3/11/03 report for Sebastian area flats by Capt. Terry
While
getting the boat ready to tow to the ramp these past few weeks you can smell
that spring is in the air. The potent aroma of Orange blossoms fill the air. The
winds have switched from the winter northerlies to east and south. The days have
been in the 80's and the nights no lower than 65.
On the Lagoon the bait has finally started to appear in good numbers.
Mostly smaller Trout has been busting topwater with an occasional bigger fish
now and then. This will change soon as the bigger fish will start to move out
onto the flats to feed on the bait. A mixed bag of Jack Crevelle and Ladyfish
have kept the day to a delightful bite. The last couple of days the Snook have
come out to play as well. I've been finding these fish still in the deeper
canals in my area. Grub type baits tossed very close to the mangroves and worked
back with a yo-yo style of retrieve has produced for all these fish. The up and
coming weeks ahead will be a great time on the water, getting on the water at
first light or earlier will start to produce some explosive topwater excitement.
The Stickmarsh is in full swing of the spawn as I write this report. The
last week of fishing has been fantastic. Wild shiners are still the bait of
choice for producing big fish but soft plastic baits have had their fair share
of lunkers to show for as well. Working waters in the 4 to 5 foot depths with
hydrilla near and scattered throughout are the ticket to finding a bite. These
fish are full of roe and are as fat as a footballs. Senco worms in dark colors
have produced very well and where the hydrilla is topped out a flappin shad worm
dragged over the top has produced some exciting blow ups when coming across the
grass.
Until then...
Keep the line wet and good fishin',
Capt.Terry Lamielle
For more information on fishing
with Capt. Terry click here
12/09/2002 Flats fishing report for the Titusville & Cocoa Beach area. By Capt Doug Blanton
Sight fishing has been a little slow for the past few weeks on the flats. Most of the reds and trout move into deeper water and get a bad case of lock jaw. Now for the good news. On days when the sun is shinning and the water temp gets above 65 look for small schools feeding in the sanding holes in 1 to 3 feet. The water on the flats warms up a bit faster than the outer drop-offs. This is also the time of year when the water clears up and begins to look like spring water. There are pros and cons to this. The fish are a lot easer to spot from further away but just as you can see them, they can see you.
Redfish
Redfishing has moved into its winter pattern a little early this year. That means if you are looking for slot sized fish sleep in a little and hit the water after the sun has had a chance to warm the water up some. It is hard to tell what these fish are going to want to eat from day to day. Some days they are on a hard feed and will inhale top water plugs. The next you have to drag soft plastics and let them find the bait.
If you are looking for some great top water action give the 3 1/4" HighRoller™ in Florida Special or Blue Green a shot. I know I am always talking about the Rip Roller, but the High Roller has a softer presentation and has a walk the dog action like no other. This lure is also one of the smoothest casting lures I have ever used.
On the soft plastic days try slowly working one of Cotee's Reel Magic rigged with a 5/0 Daiichi Bleeding Copperhead Hook just in front on them. This time of year I have my best luck on the rainbow trout and black/gold/flk Let the fish find the bait! When the reds become a little lethargic you will get a lot more hookups by letting them think they found dinner without having to work for it.
Daiichi Bleeding Copperhead Hook
Trout
Trout fishing has been slow for the past few weeks. We have been able to find a few nice fish, but most have been caught in 10 to 20 feet on the drop-offs on Cotee jigs. The color has been different every day.
We have caught a few trout up to 20 inches on the 3 1/4 inch Florida Special Rip Roller. on the flats latter in the day. When the water is as clear as it is now your best bet will be to blind cast the schools of bait. Remember to wear sky colored clothing because trout will see you long before you see them. Also try to keep all movement and noise to a minimum.
Everything else
Now that the water is in the 60's there is a lot going on. Ladyfish in the 12 to 30 inch range are busting everything. If you love non stop action on top water this is your time. Remember, these fish are a smaller cousin to the tarpon and when fished with light tackle you will see why we call them "poor mans tarpon". If you want to catch these fish on top water I recommend taking all the hooks off your lure and replacing them with a single 2/0 or 3/0 hook. This is going to cause less damage to the fish and let you spen more time catching.
If you are looking to test your skill or even learn how to catch fish on fly, this is a must. Over the past few years more and more people are doing what a few of us have been telling them for years, take your 5# . I recommend not using your best fly's. I use bright colored bonefish fly's. The hook is in the tail of the fly and a little easer to get out.
Besides ladyfish, there are also a good number of Blues, jacks, flounder, Spanish Mackerel, and a few pompano being caught in the port. Just because the water is cold doesn't mean the fishing has to be. So, grab a rod and a friend or loved one and go catching.
For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug click here
10/22/2002 Flats fishing report for the Titusville & Cocoa Beach area. By Capt Doug Blanton
We got a slam! These are the fishing reports I love to post. Yesterdays was one of the best days we have had on the water for a month. We boated 3 reds, 3 trout, 1 snook, 2 tarpon and countless ladyfish and jacks all on 3 1/4 inch Rip Roller.
Redfish
The red are a little scattered but the ones we did find were more than happy to bust top water. All the reds we found were in 2 to 3 feet of water and pushing water just inside the schools of bait. I know I talk about this lure all the time, but, all of our reds were caught on the 3 1/4 inch Florida Special Rip Roller. It is amazing how this lure draws the fish. I would go as far to say if I was stranded on an Island in the Indian River and I could only chose one lure to catch my dinner with, It would be this lure.
Trout
The trout bite is a little slow. We have caught a few nice fish, but all of the have come within the first few hours after sunrise. We have had our best luck within a few feet of the shoreline inside the schools of bait. Our best strikes have come by working the lures slowly. Remember not to stop your retrieve. most of these fish have been striking the lure 2 or more times prior to grabbing it.
Snook
The snook have been a little more willing to play with us here over the past few days. Most have been holding just under overhanging trees in 2 feet or more. However, a few have been feeding up to 20 feet away from the shoreline when bait is further away from the trees.
Tarpon
The tarpon are going nuts on top water. Look around the mouths of canals and brackish water outflows. If you have always dreamed of hooking in to one of these fish but never had the chance. Book your trip now! these fish wont be feeding like this much longer on the flats.
For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug click here
9/19/02 report for Sebastian area flats by Capt. Terry
The fall mullet run is in full swing at this time. For fishing it couldn't be
better. Finding concentrations of bait will likely have the rods bending and the
drags screaming for most of the day. Starting out in the first show of daylight
has been best for topwater action. Clean grass flats have been producing well
for the Trout bite up until noon time. Occasionally a school of 5-6lb Jack
Crevalles will happen to cruise by for some real tackle busting action. I've had
several straighten hooks on the Chug Bugs that we were throwing. The Snook bite
has been good also. Mangrove shorelines with the trees overhanging onto the
water has been the key to finding these linesiders willing to blast a topwater
thrown very close to cover and working it back to the boat. It's always best to
give a couple of casts to the same place especially if Glass Minnows are
present. Sometimes it takes that added cast to make the bite. Most of the Snook
have been in the Juvenal size up to 8 lbs. The real big Snook have been around
the boat docks that are plentiful on the lagoon. This is not the time or place
to test your light line savvy. These fish are Big! I've been using 6/20 Power
Pro braided line with a 30 lb. test fluorocarbon leaded to keep these big boy's
from running me under the dock. Still some are just too big to tame. The lures
that I have been fishing with are topwater High Roller lures, Storm's Chug Bugs
and Heddons Tiny Torpedos. For the subsurface bite I use Gamblers 4"
flappin shad in the phantom/chartreuse color scheme. There are two ways that I
rig this bait. One is with a 1/4 oz. red jig head for working the deeper areas
such as dochs. The other way is to use a Gambler Florida Rig weight and a
Gamakatsu 2/0 wide gap worm hook. This makes the lure weedless by Texas rigging
the grub as you would do for bass fishing. This lure is my favorite way of
fishing structure with great results. The days will start to grow cooler and the
fish will start their process to feed heavily until the cold comes down our way.
This all means for some great flats action for the next several weeks on the
lagoon. Capt. Terry
For more information on fishing
with Capt. Terry click here
10/17/2002 Flats fishing report for the Cocoa Beach area. By Capt Doug Blanton
Fishing has slowed down on the Banana River these past few weeks for reds. We have managed to find a few around schools of bait but most have been unwilling to feed. Snook and tarpon are feeding in the early mornings along deeper shorelines and a few trout have been willing to take top water within the first few hours of sunrise.
Now the good news. The fall mullet run is in full swing and the port is going off. Spanish mackerel, Blues, Jacks and Tarpon are everywhere. This is one of those times when just about anything you throw in the water will catch fish. This feeding frenzy will only last a few more weeks until the bait moves on. After that we will be waiting for the Flounder to move in after the first cold snap.
If you still want to fish the flats all is not lost. I usually move back the the Indian River between Titusville and Cocoa during the fall and winter. This past week we put a few reds up to 29 inches in the boat. Trout fishing has been good in the first few hours after sunrise, and big schools of jacks have been working the flats. The wind has been a big factor this past week so we were not able to put as much time in on the flats as I would have like to. If history repeats itself, after this cold front passes we should be in for some great fishing.
As our first cold snaps passes this week the water will cool down a little. This should bring in the schools of ladyfish to the power plants. That means it is time to grab your ultra light tackle and fly rods. This fish will give you hours of catch and release action.
For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug click here
Flats Report for the Indian & Banana River
Fall is here on the Cocoa Beach flats. The redfish are schooling, snook are feeding along the mangroves and the trout are taking their place on the deeper edge of the flats. A few tarpon have become more active on top water and schools of jacks have been pushing the schools of bait in tight against the shore.
Redfish. Redfishing was a little hard this past week with the high winds from a few of the storms that past through the gulf. We have been able to find a few nice schools of reds up to 100 fish feeding in the 25 to 35 inch range in the early am and at night on the flats. These fish have been a little spooky but willing to take a top water plug that is worked close by. Most of the reds we found this past week where found in a foot or less. As always all of our reds this week were caught on 3 1/4 inch Florida Special Rip Roller . The reds that we found this past week were most active just prior to sunrise till around 11 am.
Trout Trout fishing slowed down a little this past week. We did manage a few nice fish when the water calmed down but most have been small. This will all change in a few days though. The water temp. has already begun to drop and schools of glass minnows are all over the river. Last year at this time we put a few trout 30 inches + in the boat off topwater.
Snook Snook fishing has picked up in the Cocoa Beach area over the past few weeks. All of the snook we have caught have been holding along the deeper mangroves. Most of our better topwater catches have come within the first hour before and after sunrise.
Till next time, Capt. Doug
6/28/2002 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Fishing has been great this past week. With all the rain we have had over the past few weeks the water temperature has come down and the top water feed is on. All of the trout and reds we have caught this week have been on top water! So, if you are a top water nut like me, get out there now and catch a memory.
Redfish
All of the reds we have caught this week have been in 1 to 2 feet of water. The reds have been holding near schools of mullet on the inside edge of the flats. Unlike earlier this year when the reds were schooling with the bait, they are now busting any mullet that swims a little to close. We have had our best luck this week on the 3 1/4 inch Florida Special Rip Roller. We have been working these top water plugs slowly a few feet in front of the reds with great results. Keep in mind the the water has been flat and clear. Try to cast as far as possible from the boat, keep movement to a minimum and be very quite. These fish have been a little spooky.
Trout
Great news, the larger trout have been on the flats and hungry for top water plugs. Most of the trout we have put in the boat this week have been between 15 to 30 inches. We haven't found any of the 30 + inche fish yet this year but I feel it is only going to be a few days now till we land a gator. It ways in June last year that we put 6 trout over 30 with one 37 inch gator gator in the boat. All of the trout we caught this past week were one again caught on the 3 1/4 inch Florida Special Rip Roller. Most of our trout were caught in 2 to 3 feet of water on the outer edge of the flats.
Till next time, Capt. Doug
For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug click here
5/10/2002 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
This has been a great week to be on the water. We have caught 10 lbs trout on top water. I have watched schools of hungry reds grow from schools of 50 to 150. And best of all, we caught reds on top water.
If you are wanting to catch a memory this is the time! Clean off your rods and reels, put on some fresh line, (book a guide) and go catching. Now is the time that everyone asks me about. So, if you have asked me to let you know when they are here, THEY ARE HERE!!! I only have a few days open this month and about 13 days in June.
REDFISH REPORT
This has been a great week for reds. There have been single slot size fish holding in less than a foot and schools up to 150 holding on the outer edge of the flats in 2 to 3 feet. A few smaller bulls have been schooling in 4 to 5 feet in groups up to about 50. Most of the reds we found have been hungry as long as you do not pressure them to hard.
When I find schools of reds such as these I like to pole to within about 50 feet of them and make as many casts at them as I can without spooking them. Once these fish have spooked I stay about 100 feet away form them to give them enough time to settle down. Once they start to fin again I pole back in casting range and start working my lure again.
This has been one of the best weeks I have had this year for reds. Last Friday I had the pleasure of fishing with John Passanisi and Capt. Terry Lamielle on my home flats on the Banana River. It isn't very often I get a chance to get a line wet with clients on the boat but Friday was a day I want forget for a long time. We put 11 nice reds in the boat with in 6 hours for 20 to around 40 inches. Most of our reds were caught on Cotee's Reel Magic and High Roller's Rip Roller.
TROUT REPORT
Trout fishing has been great this past week. All of our fish were caught on top water and ranged from 15 to 30 inches. One gator caught this week on a Rip Roller went just over 9 lbs. Most of the trout we caught this week were holding in 2 feet or less and holding near structure and schools of bait. These fish were active all day.
last year we put some big trout in the boat this time of the year. My current record is 6 trout in one day over 30 inches caught on top water. This year I am armed with a new lure I know can top last years catch.
The gator trout are here! Over the past few week s I have been seeing large trout starting to work their way up on the flats and the week they decided they wanted to play. We have caught a few of these big boys up to 28 inches on top water this week. If history repeats itself these fish should only be getting larger as summer moves in. There is only one thing to keep in mind, These fish are only here for a short time in good numbers. Over the past few years I have noticed a trend, they come in in may and move back into deeper water by July. So, If you want to have the best shot a landing a gator trout, get out before the summer heat pushes these fish into deeper water.
Tackle report
Over the past weeks I have been using one of G-Loomis's 10' 6' spinning rods. This rod is a rocket luncher for top water plugs. This past week we had schools of reds that had just moved out of conventional tackles range so I brought out the big guns and tossed a plug just over them and pulled a red out of a school that would have gotten away. This rod fought a red like a surf rod with 8 lbs test.
When I bought this rod I was planing on fishing the surf for pompano due to its ability to cast so far. My furthest cast so far with 8 lbs line is just over 275 feet. Yes, just under the size of a foot ball field. I started thinking about how spooky trout like to be and when schools of reds are just out of range and put it on the boat.
If you are looking for something you can get some great distance with light tackle this rod is a must. They run about $165.00 for the GL-2 at the Fly Fisherman. If you call or go by to ask about them, just tell them that you want the same rod that I use.
I am currently trying out some new line that has just come on the market. I will tell you more about it in my next report.
This week all of our fish we
caught where on:
For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug click here
4/2/2002 report by Craig Redwine
33 Reds, 44 Trout all over 20 inches,
11Blacks over 20lbs. 11 days on the water these stats are from client based
trips.
This past week the larger fish (Reds over 35") have been schooled up with
schools hold approx. 50 fish we have been able to get hook ups on everything
from topwater to live shrimp. However the fish are roaming the entire area
one day their in one place the next day their a mile farther down. Blackdrum are
in very large schools some fish scaling 50 lb. Trout are scattered and willing
to take topwater early in the day. Snook are back on the hit list
every trip I have been on I have seen at least 5 a few appear to be over the
legal limit but have not been willing to take anything. So if you want to catch
some large Redfish now thru May will be your best bet. Last year our biggest
Redfish came in April at 52
For more information on fishing the
No-Motor Zone click here
3/27/2002 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Redfishing has picked up considerably this past week. Most of the reds I have been fishing have been in small schools of 30 to 60 fish. all of these fish have been in the 25 to 35 inch range and have been caught on top water. As this weeks full moon passes the fishing should only get better. Our better catches have come just after sun rise in less than 2 feet of water. When looking for these tailing fish, just look for the schools of bait. Most of the reds have been just inside of these schools.
Trout fishing continues to get better every day in the Cocoa Beach area. We have found groups of schoolies ( 10 to 18 inches) holding on the outer edge of the flats in 3 to 6 feet of water. Most of these fish have been caught on MirrOlure's 51MR-808 and the TT-28 and 21 rigged with a Daiichi Bleeding Hook on the front. If you are looking for the larger trout, try fish the flats just prior to sun rise with ether MirrOlure's Top Pup 74MR-21 and Top Dog 94MR-21 & 81 or one of Cotee's Reel Magic. With the full moon almost on us they will be most active at night, so get out early.
For those of you wanting to fish for snook, the word is they are starting to show up in Sykes Creek during the early morning hours. I have even heard of a few small tarpon rolling at dawn in the channel. I haven't been out there yet but as soon as I get a chance to fish it this week I will let you know.
For those of you that have been asking me where you can buy the Reel Magics try this web site http://www.donraystudio.com/fishinglures.htm John has just started selling these lures and will be happy to hook you up.
Don Ray has a new snook print! http://www.donraystudio.com/
This week all of our fish we
caught where on:
MirrOlure's Top
Pup 74MR-21 and Top Dog 94MR-21 & 81 rigged with a Daiichi
Bleeding Hook
MirrOlure's Catch
2000 rigged with a Daiichi Bleeding
Hook
Cotee 3" Swirl Tails Clear silver flake
For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug click here
3/16/2002 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Redfishing continues to be off. On the days we have been able to boat a few most of them have been in the 18 to 27 inch slot with only a few oversized fish being caught. Most of our reds have been caught on ether Cotee's Reel Magic or MirrOlure's Top Pup. They have preferred a slow retrieve on the surface. All of our reds were caught in less than 2 feet around schools of bait. The time of day hasn't seemed to make a difference as much as the falling pressure.
For those of you looking for the bull reds, this hasn't been a good week. I did have one day out last week that I saw a red I know would have come close to our state record. This red was at least 60 inches. I keep hoping that they will make a run like they did last year (over a week we didn't boat a red under 48 inches) but it hasn't happened yet.
Trout fishing has started to pick up on the outer edge of the flats. If things continue as they have I should be having 200 trout days again in a few weeks. Most of these fish are around 14 inches with a few nice keepers being caught. These fish will hit most anything you toss at them so please remember to crush your barbs. Every trout you toss back now will be a bigger one you will catch next year. We have started catching trout all day but most of the bigger fish have been boated before 8am.
Just to mix things up a little we have also landed: pompano, ladyfish and jacks this week. It is coming into the time of year when you never know what is going to be out there. Within the next month or so we should be catching snook, tarpon, trout and reds all in the same day. So dust of your fishing rods and get ready. Spring is in the air!
Don Ray has a new snook print! http://www.donraystudio.com/
This week all of our fish we
caught where on:
MirrOlure's Top
Pup 74MR-21 and Top Dog 94MR-21 & 81 rigged with a Daiichi
Bleeding Hook
MirrOlure's Catch
2000 rigged with a Daiichi Bleeding
Hook
Cotee 3" Swirl Tails Clear silver flake
Cotee's Reel Magic
3/1/2002 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Fishing has been on and off for the past week with the constantly changing weather we have been having. Last week the water temperature was up in the low 70's on the flats and the reds were everywhere. The next day the temperature dropped down in the 50's and the reds scattered to deeper water. The good news is that when the water warmed up for a few days we were able to catch some nice reds and trout on top water. When this cold front passes get ready, I know that the fishing is going to be great because just as the first cold front hit I saw reds schooling up to groups of 100+. As soon as we get a day with the sun out they will be back.
I have decided to extend the time of my fishing trip give away till March 16. I had a problem with my computer and lost about 30 people from my list. I wanted to give everybody a chance to rejoin that may have been lost. If you were on my list and did not receive a fishing report via email, please rejoin by clicking here
This week all of our fish we
caught where on:
MirrOlure's Top
Pup 74MR-21 and Top Dog 94MR-21 & 81 rigged with a Daiichi
Bleeding Hook
MirrOlure's Catch
2000 rigged with a Daiichi Bleeding
Hook
Cotee 3" Swirl Tails Clear silver flake
2/12/2002 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Fishing has been great this past week on the Banana River. We have been fishing small schools of reds up to 30 inches and trout up to 27 inches. If history repeats itself, we should be starting to see the reds grouping up into schools up to 300+ and Gator Sea Trout ( trout over 30 inches ) moving on the flats within the next few weeks.
The bad news is all of the trout and reds we have put in the boat over the past few weeks have not been on top water. I know that most of you just want to catch these fish and don’t care what you catch them on. I am just one of those die hard top-water lure fisherman that lives for that surface explosion.
All of the reds we have caught this past week have been in 2 feet or less on the inside of the bait. They where all caught on Cotee Reel Magic rigged with a Daiichi Bleeding Copperhead Hook. The best news is we have been catching them all day. The hard part has been finding the schools of bait.
All of the larger trout we have caught this past week have been in the same area as the reds. However, there have been schools of smaller trout starting to feed on the deeper edge of the flats. Most of these fish will be under the 15 inch minimum but if you continue to work these areas you should catch a nice keeper just under the 20 maximum about every 10th fish. Please crush your barbs on your hooks when you find these schools of smaller trout. Every little trout you let go now will be one more larger trout you will catch next year.
(tip) Most of the reds have been real spooky. When you find these fish fining, work up on them being as quietly as possible. Keep all movement to a minimum. As soon as the reds stop fining, STOP CASTING. Set and wait until the start fining again before you make another cast. The reds have found a good place to feed when they are fining and if you don’t pressure them too hard they will come back to the same place you first spotted them.
This week all of our fish we
caught where on:
Cotee Reel Magic - chartreuse (63)
For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug click here
2/03/2002 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Is it spring yet? The past few weeks have been more like spring than winter. The temperatures on the water have been up in the upper 80’s and the fishing has been just as hot. The reds have started schooling the past week on the flats in 2 feet or less. The schools of bait have been growing larger and larger every day. And a few trout have been starting to show up on the outer edge of the flats.
Our beat catches have come between 0900 and 1100 in 2 feet or less. Just look for the schools of reds holding 20 feet or more from a shoreline and look for tails. Most of the bait will not hold in the same water as these fish because they know they will be lunch.
This week all of our fish we
caught where on:
Cotee Reel Magic - chartreuse (63)
MirrOlure's Top
Pup 74MR-21 rigged with a Daiichi
Bleeding Hook
MirrOlure's Catch
2000 rigged with a Daiichi
Bleeding Hook
Cotee 3" Swirl Tails Clear silver flake
For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug click here
1/18/2002 Indian River Update by Capt Doug Blanton
The Bull Reds are on the flats!!!! We put a 52 inch redfish in the boat today. For the past 2 days I have been chasing a school of 30 to 60 fish all in the 45+ inch range. They have been holding on the outside of the flats near the schools of mullet. The have not been taking anything except cut ladyfish. If you are looking to catch a memory now is the time to dust of you rod and put on fresh line. They have been feeding best between 8am and 12pm.
1/16/2002 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Redfishing has been great this week. It is a beautiful site to see so many fish tailing first thing in the morning. I have been fishing the Indian River for the past few weeks and have watched the schools grow larger and larger each week. The best thing about these schools is they have been feeding on top water. If you haven't fished a school of reds you haven't fished for them. When the red group up like they have now they become extremely competitive. I have watched reds fight for a lure so hard that they push each other out of the way. the bad thing is sometime they fight so hard for your lure that none of them get it.
Most of the reds we caught this past week were on Top Dogs however I did manage to catch a few skittish reds on MirrOlure's "Catch 2000" (20MR-51) and on DOA's near clear shrimp.
Our best catches have been between 0800 and 1200pm. Just look for the bait in or along the sandy areas in 2 feet or less. The bait has been sparse so when you find them the reds will be close by. Most of the schools I have found have been near the mouths of canals. Most of these fish have been in the 25 to 35 inch range with a few larger reds up to 45 inches working just inside the flats.
I will be fishing the Banana River next week due to stories of schools of bull reds working the flats there in the early mornings.
Ladyfish and jacks continue to be a sure thing at the power plants. I have fished these plants for the past few weeks with light tackle and have found the fishing to get a little better every trip. This is a great place if you just want to have fun catching fish. Remember, ladyfish are a cousin to the tarpon and love to give you a lot of air time. This is one of those times when experience is not required to have fun. I love watching first time fisherman and old salts turn into little kids. When fishing the ladies try to remember to crush the barbs on you hooks. This will make taking them off a lot easer and cause less stress to the fish.
My schedule is filling up through June so if you want to get out and catch some fish do it soon.
This week all of our fish we
caught where on:
MirrOlure's Top
Dog 94M-21 rigged with a Daiichi
Bleeding Hook
MirrOlure's Top
Pup 74SR-21 rigged with a Daiichi
Bleeding Hook
MirrOlure's Catch
2000 rigged with a Daiichi
Bleeding Hook
Cotee 3" Swirl Tails Clear silver flake
Got-cha Saltwater Curltail Grubs . any color works for the ladyfish
1/7/2002 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Redfishing has been on and off this week with the barometric pressure up one day and falling the next. The good news is when the reds have been on they have been blasting just about everything we have thrown at them. Most of the reds we have seen and caught this past week have been in the 35 to 40 inch range. It has been a blast even on the days they haven't wanted to play because the water is crystal clear and the reds have been in 2 feet or less.
Most of the reds we caught this past week were on Top Dogs. They have been a little slow to strike, but if you cast a few feet off to the side of the schools and walk the dog at a nice slow pace many of them have been willing to play. For those fish that just don't seam to want to commit to the surface I have been throwing DOA shrimp to them. A lazy shrimp is a hard meal for any hungry red to pass up.
This past week our better catches have been between 0700 and 1100am. They have been tailing along the sandy areas in 2 feet or less. I have also seen a few big bulls (45+ inches) pushing water on the outer edge of the flats. All of these fish have been moving very fast and I have not been able to get a cast out to them before they moved out of range.
Bait has been thin in the Indian River for a few weeks now. However, if you find a school on the flats, the reds will be very close by. Most of the reds I have found this past week have been feeding on needle fish. So keep a lookout for them skimming across the top of the water. Chances are if you find them you will get a hook-up.
Now is the time of the year that all the ladyfish and jacks pack into the power plants looking for warmer water. I have fished these plants for the past few weeks with light tackle and have found the fishing to get a little better every trip. This is a great place if you just want to have fun catching fish. Remember, ladyfish are a cousin to the tarpon and love to give you a lot of air time. This is one of those times when experience is not required to have fun. I love watching first time fisherman and old salts turn into little kids. When fishing the ladies try to remember to crush the barbs on you hooks. This will make taking them off a lot easer and cause less stress to the fish.
This week most of the fish we
caught where on:
MirrOlure's Top
Dog 94M21 rigged with a Daiichi
Bleeding Hook
Near
clear DOA shrimp with a fire tail
Got-cha Saltwater Curltail Grubs . any color works for the ladyfish
Tin Liz fly's
For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug click here
No-motor Zone
12/27/2001 report by Craig Redwine
A recent cold front came through and
gave us our coldest days this season but that didn't seem to bother the Redfish.
I've been finding Redfish throughout the entire area in water less than three
foot and the water is beginning to clean up which makes for some great sight
casting. I have been averaging 4 Redfish a day on 1/2 day trips the fish are
being caught throughout the entire day but seem to be most aggressive between 10
am & 1 PM.
The fish have ranged form 22 inches to 36 inches. I can pretty much guarantee
90% that you will catch fish right now, the area has been closed since Sept. 16
and the fish are everywhere.
For more information on fishing the No-Motor Zone click here
12/28/2001 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Redfishing has been great most of the week. The water temperature has dropped just enough to make them school up in both the Indian and Banana Rivers. The best news though, They Are Hitting Top Water again. Today we found a school of reds that healed fish from 26 to 35 inches in schools of up to 50 fish. They where holding in 1 to 3 feet of water and feeding on needle fish. The reds where most active between 0800 and 1000.
Also for those of you who want to just catch fish and watch fish catch air, the ladyfish are packed into the power plants. This annual event comes every year at this time and lasts till the water starts to warm up in the spring. So grab your light tackle, and fly rods and get ready for the no stop action. Most of these fish have been in the 10 to 20 inch range.
12/15/2001 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Fishing has been great these past few
weeks. Bull reds are on the move in the north end of the Indian River and the
thousand Island area of the Banana. Slot size reds are on the move everywhere.
The good news is, they are hitting everything from DOAs to the Top Dog. It really
did my heart good this week to see a red busting a mullet on the surface. As
soon as I saw it tearing up a school of mullet I knew what my lure of choice was
going to be. On my first cast, BAM, the water exploded. This happened 4 more
times before he finally grabbed my lure and headed for deeper water. There is
truly nothing better than catching reds on top water.
Most of the reds I have found this
week have been in 1 to 2 feet of water. They have been holding on both sides of
schooling bait. Just look for bait that changes direction a lot as they move
along a flat. I have also seen a lot of reds this week following stingrays
around on the flats. A few times I have seen them laying next to the rays as
they were feeding. I also saw a lot of reds sunning themselves in sandy holes in
the grass.
Something else to keep your eyes open
for is large trout working the flats in the afternoon. In the early morning I
have had some of my best trout catches in 4 to 8 feet of water. But as soon as
the sun starts to move overhead, the trout have been sunning themselves in those
same sandy holes.
The water is very clear on the west
side of the Indian River. If you want to try to sight fish a nice red you must,
wear sky colored clothes, be very quiet, and keep jerky movements to a minimum.
We were able to push up within 5 feet of many of the reds we caught this past
week by following these rules of thumb.
This week most of the fish we
caught where on:
MirrOlure's Top
Dog 94M21 rigged with a Daiichi
Bleeding Hook
Near
clear DOA shrimp with a fire tail
Got-cha Saltwater Curltail Grubs or root-beer Trout Killers.
clear/silver flake Got-cha Saltwater Curltail Grubs
MirrOlure's 51MR-808 and the TT-28 and 21 rigged with a Daiichi Bleeding Hook on the front.
For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug click here
11/28/2001 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Redfish
The bulls are coming, I have heard a few good reports this past weekend the the bull reds are starting to move into the southern part of the Banana River. When these fish get here the will average 40 to 55 inches and will only hang out on the flats for a few weeks. If you have never hooked into a 40+ inch red, you don't know what you are missing. I have had many clients take over an hour to land one of these monsters. Most of the time you can site fish these big boys with top water lures. One of the best things about catching these fish on the surface is watching 2 or more reds fight for you lure while not pushing it away. When these fish come up to strike a top water plug they push so much water in front of them it is common to see their wake push the lure a few inches in front of their mouths. This only makes the reds even more aggressive. Many times I have seen them strike a lure up to a dozen times a jumping a foot out of the water just trying to grab a lure.
I expect to see these reds by the full moon and if history repeats itself they will only be on the flats till the water temp drops below +/- 65. Most of the reds will be in 3 to 4 feet of water and moving very fast. Your best catches will be from 10am to 3pm.
Currently the fishing has been great we have caught reds up to 40 inches and trout up to 30. Most of our catches have been on clear/silver flake Got-cha Saltwater Curltail Grubs or root-beer Trout Killers. Yesterday, John Passanisi, with Don Ray Internet Studios caught a nice East Coats Slam (Trout, Redfish, and Snook) in the south part of the Indian River near Grant on a chartreuse Cotee Reel Magic.
Trout
Trout fishing has been great this week. We have been able to boat fish up to 30 inches with most of our best catches on clear/silver flake Got-cha Saltwater Curltail Grubs. This is not to say that we are not catch trout on top water in the early am. For those of you wanting to work the surface try using MirrOlure's 51MR-808 and the TT-28 and 21 rigged with a Daiichi Bleeding Hook on the front. Most of the trout we have caught have been along the inside of schools of bait fish.
Best chance
This is a great time of the year to get out on the water and catch some fish. I would recommend getting out by 6 am and working the schools of bait for trout. I would start out by casting noisy top water plugs before switching to your grubs or other soft baits. As the sun comes up keep your eyes open for reds moving up on the flats. This time of year most reds will spend the night in deeper holes and move on to the flats by mid-morning.
For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug click here
11/12/2001 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Redfish
Now that our weather is starting to get back to normal the redfishing has been doing the same. The water temperature has come down in the 70's and the reds have been starting to group back up on the flats after sunrise. I haven't seen any schools of more than 20 fish yet but we should see schools near 100 one last time before the water drops below 70.
Most of the reds we have caught over the past week have been caught on cut lady fish or live mullet. We have managed to boat a few on top water, but they have been a little sluggish in their strikes prior to noon. Most of the fish have been laying in the small sandy holes in 2 to 3 feet of water waiting for bait to swim by. This has made sight fishing difficult, so as you work a flat try working your lure across every pot hole a few times. Keep in mind that the water clarity is very good on most flats and these fish will spook off if you wait till you are on top of them. This is a good time to work on your long casts.
Trout
Trout fishing has continued to pick up this week. All of our larger fish have been caught on top water pulgs and the larger numbers of fish have been caught on sinking twitch baits like MirrOlure's 51MR-808 and the TT-28 and 21 rigged with a Daiichi Bleeding Hook on the front. Most of the trout we have caught have been along the drop-offs along the outer edge of the flats and deeper water along tree lines.
Best chance
If you have your heart set on catching a red, try fishing the numerous schools of ladyfish first thing in the morning and hold on to a few for cut bait. If you are having a hard time fishing the ladyfish, just look for the birds feeding in the middle of the river. Once you have your bait, work your way across the flats till you see a few reds or nervous bait. Toss your cut ladyfish around these areas and hold on. If you put in the time, you will get your red.
For those of you who just want to hook into a big red. Try the same thing but on the outer edge of the flats. This is the time of year when the big bulls work these areas in search of an easy meal.
For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug click here
No-motor Zone
No-motor Zone
12/16/2001 report by Craig Redwine
Water conditions remain dirty however Redfish catches are good in the past two trips we landed 8 Redfish within the slot limit and many more near misses, all fish were sight casted for with jerkbaits and flies it doesn't get much better that for the conditions we were given
For more information on fishing the No-Motor Zone click here
11/12/2001 report by Craig Redwine
The No-motor zone remains
closed. But the fish are still being caught elsewhere. Canoe fishing has proved
to still be productive. This weekend I found Redfish close to shore and in
shallow water getting some sun and being very spooky a very quiet and slow
approach is required. Most catches have came on a 1/2 D.O.A shrimp once a fish
is spotted present the bait correctly and the fish can't refuse. The largest one
was 30" and the smallest was 15" was and total of eight fish were
landed and many missed.
Trout catches are steady most on topwater lures like the good ol Zara spook, Top
pup and my favorite the Chug Bug. Lets hope all goes well and all closed areas
reopen soon. And please remember to take discarded fishing lines to it's proper
place ... Not The Water
For more information on fishing the No-Motor Zone click here
Flats Report for the Indian & Banana River
10/19/2001 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Redfish
<'((((>< ! First the bad news, just as soon as the Redfish are starting to school again the water cools down and the wind picks up. Now the GOOD NEWS, There are a lot of single reds all over the Indian River and most of them are slot sized fish. Most of our catches this past week have come on top water plugs, however, a few where caught on live finger mullet. For those of you who have fished with me in the past you know that the reds must have been real picky for me to put live bait in the boat. That is why I am happy to report that they are feeding on the surface once again. The main difference this week is we caught a few on a different lure. I have been trying out Storm's 3/4 oz Chug Bug. I have only used this plug for a few days now but have been impressed with the way fish strike this lure.
When looking for the reds this next week, look for large schools of bait working 20 40 feet from the shoreline. All of the reds we have caught this past week have been in 2 feet or less just inside of the bait. Also these next few weeks should be a great time for those of you wanting to hook into a bull red in the Banana River. If the wind ever dies down to the point you can fish the deeper edge of the flats the big reds will be there. Last year during this time we had many days on the Banana River where we didn't boat a red under 40 inches. Keep in mind thought that these fish will be moving very fast in search of food and sometimes you only get one or two good casts at them before they are out of range. The good news here is that if you miss a school, don't worry, most of the time they will come right back to the same spot soon.
Trout
Trout fishing has continued to pick up this week. All of our larger fish have been caught on top water pulgs and the larger numbers of fish have been caught on sinking twitch baits like MirrOlure's 51MR-808 and the TT-28 and 21 rigged with a Daiichi Bleeding Hook on the front. Most of the larger fish have been holding in 2 feet or less all day and the smaller fish have been caught on the outer edge of the flats.
Best chance
Fish inside of the schools of bait! There are slot sized reds all over the Indian River. Your not going to catch them if you don't get out on the water. Once the water drops below 68 degrees they will move into deeper holes and we won't see them on the flats till next spring, or the temp comes back up.
For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug click here
10/8/2001 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Redfish
<'((Red October is here((>< ! Redfish are starting to school again. This week big reds started schooling again in the early morning hours in the Banana River. The good news is that they have been becoming more agresive with each day that the full moon passes. The bad news is that they have only been feeding hard prior to 10am. This will all change very soon though as soon as the moon passes the last quarter. Most of the reds we have caught this past week have been on top water plugs. MirrOlure's Top Dog and The JOHNNY RATTLER have still been one of the most effective lures I have used. Most of our catches have continued to come while working these lures slowly along the edge of bait fish. Most of the reds are still following the lure for a few feet prior to striking it. Most of the reds we caught this past week continue to be upper slot size fish with a few near 40 inches.
Trout
Trout fishing has pick up a lot more this week. Most of our larger fish have been caught on top water but the best numbers have been caught on sinking twitch baits like MirrOlure's 51MR-808 and the TT-28 and 21 rigged with a Daiichi Bleeding Hook on the front. Most of the larger fish have been holding in 2 feet or less all day and the smaller fish have been caught on the outer edge of the flats.
Best chance
Get out on the water an hour prior to sun rise and work you top water plugs till around 9am. Try casting the water between the shore and the large schools of bait. This has been where most of the reds and larger trout have been at first light. There have also been a few slot size snook hanging out in this same area. After 9am move to the outer edge of the flats and switch over to your sinking lures. There have been good numbers of smaller trout, ladyfish and bull reds working these areas throughout the day. Over the past week we have been catching a nice trout about every 10th in these areas. Also, keep your eyes open for bait running. This has been a good sigh of reds moving in the area.
If you are looking for your best chance at hooking a big red, try catching a few ladyfish to use as cut bait and fish the outer edge of the flats. You are going to catch a lot of catfish, but chances are you will also hook a trophy red to if you put in the time.
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9/30/2001 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Redfish
<'((Red October is here((>< ! The water temperature has come down and the fishing has been picking up. All of the reds we caught this past week were on top water plugs like MirrOlure's Top Dog or JOHNNY RATTLER. Most of our catches have come while working these lures slowly along the edge of bait fish. Most of the reds have followed the lure for a few feet prior to striking it. We have been speeding up the lure as soon as we see the red behind it. This has encouraged the reds to strike a little harder, putting more of them in the boat. Although most of the reds we caught this past week were upper slot size fish, there have been a good number of the larger fish beginning to show up on the flats.
Port Canaveral
The big news of the week is the start of the fall mullet run. Mullet started showing up last week in great numbers. This has brought all the predators in with them. For the next week or two, Large Tarpon will be putting on their grand finally before they begin heading south for the winter. I have seen days where they will stay in one place all day long feeding of all the mullet that are passing through. With the parting of the tarpon brings the return of the blues, jacks, Spanish mackerel, and many more to the port. If you are just looking to load up on the fish, now is the time.
Trout
Trout fishing has started to pick up a little this week. We had a slow down after all the rain we had over the past few weeks that brought the salt levels below the norm. This always gives trout a case of lack-jaw. The good news is they are starting to get back into their fall routine. We will be having some days here very soon where we will be catching 70 to 120 trout a day. Most of the trout we caught this past week were on clear/silver flake grubs with a red head.
Best chance
Get out on the water prior to sun rise and give Johnny Rattler a shot. Work all your top water lures slowly until you see something trying to grab it. Once you see something interested, speed up your retrieve a little. Just remember, never stop working your lure, and let they hook themselves.
For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug click here
8/23/2001 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Redfish
Redfish are starting to school again in the Banana river. All of the rain we have had over the past few weeks has brought the water temperature down and the reds are on the move once again. Over the past few weeks the reds have been starting to feed, but most have been singles hanging out along the edge of the grass flats. Now they are starting to group up in small schools of 30 to 50. This makes them much more competitive. Most of these fish are in the 25 to 35 inch range and can be caught on almost anything you through at them. If history repeats itself you can expect to see these schools growing weekly between now and November. Earlier this year I watched this same school grow to over 500 fish. You can also expect to watch the size of these fish grow. Last September I had days where we didn't put a fish in the boat under 40 inches.
If you are wanting to hook into one of these fish with a guide, book your trip now. Most full time guides in this area will be booked a month in advance wile the reds are running.
Trout
Trout fishing has been better this week. We have caught a few over 25 inches and one just under 30. Most of our catches have been on sinking lures like MirrOlure's 51MR-808 and the TT-28 and 21 rigged with a Daiichi Bleeding Hook on the front. However, we have continued to have good catches on MirrOlure's Top Dog or JOHNNY RATTLER. Most of these fish have been holding in 2 feet or less all day.
Please remember to crush you barbs on all you lures when fishing for trout. This is the time of the year when the trout are going to become very active. Last year we had days where we would boat over 100 trout a day. Most of these fish are under 15 inches with about every 5th one being a nice keeper. The more undersized fish we return unharmed now just means more gators we will have to catch next time.
Tackle report
Daiichi Bleeding Hook are now available in 3x. These hooks are stronger and believe it or not, cheaper. I talked with my rep the other day and he told me the reason for the lower price is because so many Bleeding Hooks are being sold. If you have never used one of these hooks, you have to give them a try. I have had a lot of clients get back with me after using them on my boat and going home and trying them at home with the same great results. If you can't find them at the tackle store, try E-angler. There prices a usually better than Wal-Mart.
If you give them a try, let me know how they work for you.
Flats Report for the Mosquito Lagoon and North Indian River
8/5/2001 Mosquito Lagoon Report by Capt. Scott MacCallia
Due to the high amounts of rainfall, the water in the Mosquito Lagoon is fairly muddy for the most part. Some flats are clean though, and sight casting is still possible. The fish have been fairly lock-jawed, but have been more cooperative than previous. The fish are starting to pair up in groups of 2-5 fish and this is good. They become more competitive than when they are single and they are much more willing to eat. Most of the fish that I have been finding are very shallow, feeding in 6" of water around grass mats. In the grass I have been finding tiny mud crabs, they look like a mini stone crab, and I have been "matching the hatch" casting #4 dark brown Merkin Crab at them. This fly has been working better than others. The cast has to be dead on though, the grass is very loose this time of year and will stick to anything and everything, the tag ends of your knots and your flies especially. I recommend using a Knotless tapered leader in a 8-10lb, Rio makes a good one. The flies need weed guards too. I have been putting weed guards on my bendbacks as a precaution.
The trout fishing has picked up as well and will continue to. August is usually a good month. There are three keys to finding trout; a drop-off, bait, and grass. Put these things together and they normally mean success. I keep two rods rigged for trout. I have a popper on my 9wt with a floating line and red and white seducer on my 8wt with an intermediate sinking line. I fish the popper early in the morning and switch to the seducer as the sun rises. Occasionally, the fish will feed on the mullet or glass minnows later in the day and the popper will work well when they are feeding on the surface.
For more information on fishing with Capt. Scott click here
No-motor Zone
8/23/2001 report by Craig Redwine
This week fishing as been good with
trout catches being plentiful with most of them being between 12 & 21
inches. Redfish have been on the move in the shallow grassy areas along the
shore and taking everything form top water,
gold spoons and softplastic jerkbaits. Blackdrum to 40lbs are on the seen
tailing but are spooky and reluctant to take to baits even when presented with
crab pattern flies. Snook season is here and opening weekend we had fair
activity with 4 fish being landed and many more hit and miss witch is still very
exciting when fishing with topwater lures.
Large jackfish can be seen coming 300 yards away and you can set your watch by
them eating anything that comes there way their frenzy feeding pattern is really
something to be seen.
For more information on fishing the No-Motor Zone click here
8/23/2001 Offshore fishing report by Capt "Bill" Bernhardt
Seas: 1 to 2 feet.
The ocean has been beautiful for the past six weeks. Forecast looks promising for continued calm for a few more weeks.
Fishing has been excellent!
Kingfish, Cobia, Dolphin, Barracuda, and Shark have been abundant on 8 A and Pelican reefs.
The Blackfin Tuna have recently been spotted right off the anchored Shrimp Boats.
Capt. Bill
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No-motor Zone
8/23/2001 report by Craig Redwine
This week the Redfish have been consistent with schools of every size being found throughout the area most being caught on white salt&pepper jerkbaits and various topwater lures the trout action as seemed to slow with most fish caught being under 16 inches but being replaced with Jacks and large Ladyfish all being caught on topwater lures for some very explosive strikes.
The Tarpon are here I first saw them last week and couldn't get them hit but this week we got them to hit and they hit hard most shook the hook loose during the fight but the one we landed was 56" what a fight! Jason L.'s first congratulations.
7-25-2001 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Redfish
The redfish are starting to bite again! All the rain we have had over the past few days has brought the water temperature down and stimulating the reds feeding. The only thing keeping them from a feeding frenzy now is the full moon. The good news is the moon is passing. This next week should be a great time to get out and catch a great memory.
Most of the reds have been continuing to hold up in sandy areas along the shoreline in groups of 3 to 4. The water has been flat making them a little skittish. Try poling or wading to them to avoid spooking them. I have been casting MirrOlure's Top Dog (94M21 and 94M11) and Bass Assassin (gold and native shiner) rigged with a Daiichi Bleeding Hook with good results.
If you are wanting to catch a red, now through the first week of November is the time. Historically most of the largest reds have been caught during this time of the year. Last year we landed one 55 3/4 inches
Trout
Trout fishing has picked up a this week. We have been only catching a few each day, but as this full moon passes their numbers should really increase. I have started noticing a lot more bigger fish moving onto the flats this past week. If it is anything like last year we should start catching more of them over 30 inches very soon. Last year I had one day out where we boated 6 trout over 31 inches with 2 just over 34 inches. All of these fish were caught on top water.
Your best chance for hooking into these fish is within the first few hours after sunrise along the outer edge of the flats. As the sun rises, look for the larger fish in a foot or less along the shoreline or around docks. Try any lure that makes a lot of noise. I prefer, MirrOlure's Top Dog or JOHNNY RATTLER. These fish can be real spooky, so try wading or drifting.
For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug click here
No-motor Zone
7-25-2001 report by Craig Redwine
Trout catches are steady we have been throwing top water plugs early morning has been the most productive with as many as 5 to 20 fish being caught before 9:00am most of them between 10 and24 inches with the biggest one being 32 inches.
Redfish have been very active throughout the day. We have found decent size schools of Redfish ranging from 15 to 20 inches and 30 to 35 inches and the one school that is still around holding fish over 45 inches "better pack a lunch." We have been catching them on every and anything in the box but topwater, goldspoons & pearl jerkbaits being the most productive.
Snook are here! There hasn't been much size to them yet but the little buggas sure are feisty most are under the legal limit and season is closed so they all are released unharmed. They all have came on top water and made for some exciting fishing trips.
Blackdrum catches haven't really been slow we have just been busy with the reds and snook but for those who want to catch these large powerful fish the edges of the sandbar is where there at. I have seen these fish tail taking up a 100 yards down the edge catch these fish tailing and throw cut blue crab or a small crab imitation lure.
For more information on fishing the No-Motor Zone click here
7/30/2001 Offshore fishing report by Capt "Bill" Bernhardt
Inshore:
The numbers have been good for medium to large King Mackerel caught from the buoy line south, above the beach to the Steeples. Also some nice catches of Kings inside Port Canaveral Harbor. Reports of some Cobia caught along with the Kings on the beach and out on the reefs. Tarpon seem to be pretty scarce...some days better than others.
Offshore:
The numbers have been good for small Kings (8-10 lbs) caught on 8A and Pelican Flats. A few Dolphin and Wahoo are being caught on the reefs. The water is very clear and clean.
Capt. Bill
For more information on Offshore Fishing trips, Click here
6/30/2001 Offshore fishing report by Capt "Bill" Bernhardt
Inshore
This time of year the ocean is alive! The buoy line with Kingfish to 51 lbs., with Shark, Jack Cravell, Barracuda and Tarpon thrown in for good measure. From the surf line out to 45 ft and all along the beaches south of Port Canaveral are some of the hottest areas.
Offshore
The reefs, 8A and Pelican Flats are just a few areas producing good numbers of Kingfish, Cobia and Dolphin. Last week a monster Wahoo of 82 lbs was taken from 8A. Yes, THE OCEAN IS ALIVE!
7-4-2001 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Redfish
Redfishing on the Banana River has slowed down this week with the full moon. Most of the larger schools of reds have been feeding all night. The good news is in the schools of reds I have been spotting this past week the fish have been a little larger. I have spotted a few schools of reds in the 40 + range. Although we haven't boated any of these larger fish this week, I feel confident that as the full moon passes and they begin to feed during the day again we will start putting them in the boat soon.
Most of the reds caught this past week were on MirrOlure's Top Dog 94M21 rigged with a Daiichi Bleeding Hook on the front. However, we did manage to land a few nice slot size fish on Trader Bay's Mangrove Stick and the old reliable Zara Spook. All of these fish where caught "walking the dog very slowly along the outer edge of the schools.
Trout
Trout fishing has continued to be a little slow this past week on the Banana River. The good news is most of the fish have been between 15 to 25 inches. Most of my better catches have been in the middle of the day between 10am and 3pm. All of our catches have been on top water. I have had good luck with; the Top Dog, Johnny Rattler and a red and white Mangrove Stick.
Snook
The snook fishing as continued to improve for those of you willing to get out a few hours before first light or the first few hours after sunset. With all the rain we have had over the past few weeks the fresh water spills from the mosquito impoundments have been a good spot to finding the feeding fish. As you approach these spills just look for nerves bait. This is a good sign that there are snook in the area. All of the fish caught this past week where on red and white Johnny Rattler's with the center hook removed. Keep in mind that snook season is closed and all fish must be returned unharmed.
For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug click here
No-motor Zone
7-4-2001 report by Craig Redwine
This week the fishing has been consistent with all species except tarpon being caught. Full day trips have produced super slams with Trout, Reds Snook & Blackdrum being landed. Most Trout have been over 20 inches and taking a variety of baits. Reds have been scattered out and in water less than 2 feet and Blackdrum have been hanging around the edges of sand bars in the afternoon, some over 50lbs.
For more information on fishing the No-Motor Zone click here
6-25-2001 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Redfish
Redfishing on the Banana River continues to be great. I have been working the same school of reds for over a month now and have been able to predict their feeding habits. What I have found is that the schools haven't started feeding hard till around 12 pm and that they continue to feed till sunset. The fish have been primarily feeding on small shrimp hiding in the grass in 1 to 3 feet of water and are very skittish when approached by a boat. The remedy for this is, wade to them. Every morning when I approach their feeding area I cut the motor 300 feet+ away from the schools and pole on to the flats. We then get out of the boat and wade the shoreline watching for fining reds. Before noon, most of the fish have been feeding as loners in less than a foot of water. As the sun climbs higher, they begin to group up in small schools and feed in deeper water inside of the schools of baitfish. By 1 pm larger schools of oversized reds (30 to 40 inch) begin to move onto the flats.
All of the reds we caught this past week were all on MirrOlure's Top Dog 94M21 rigged with a Daiichi Bleeding Hook on the front. The better strikes came when the lure was works slowly along the outer edge of the fining fish.
Trout
Trout fishing has slowed a little this week on the Banana River. We have been able to find a few slot size fish but most have been just under size. However, this may be due to most of my time being spent chasing the reds and not looking for the larger trout. I will try to spend a little more time this next week looking for them and post a good report as to what they are feeding on soon.
Snook
I have seen a good number of snook feeding on the edge of the flats near trees overhanging the water. Most of the fish we have caught have been between 18 to 22 inches. All of the fish caught this past week where on Johnny Rattler's with the center hook removed just after first light. Keep in mind that snook season is closed and all fish must be returned unharmed.
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6-25-2001 Flats fishing report for the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River. By Capt. Scott Maccalla
Fishing has been hot in the Mosquito Lagoon and the northern Indian River. The redfish have been very skittish. The trout fishing has been excellent. Oddly enough, the trout have been eating fairly well in the middle of the day. All the trout that we have caught have been laying in 2' of water in sand holes. The redfish have been mostly in singles, but the fish are starting to school up. On Thursday, we fished a school of 400-500 redfish, all larger that 25lb. Unfortunately, the fish would not even turn at anything we casted in front of them. Friday the fishing was pretty good. We picked up four redfish, all in the 26"-30" size range and 30 trout, most of them short but we did get a few slot fish, 15"-20", and one gator trout weighing 6 1/2lbs.
No-motor Zone
6-2-2001 report by Craig Redwine
This week the red action has been hot ,with the big one of the week being 46"and 15 fish landed and only one was under the max. size limit, these guys are schooling up to 60 in a group. Trout catches are average with most fish in the15" to 20" range, this week we use nothing but top water for the excitement of their furious strikes. Blackdrum are still abundant if you know where to look cut crab is choice for most ,but fly fishermen have the advantage with a silent crab fly dropped on their nose. tarpon to 20lbs are beginning to show themselves but are still reluctant to take most baits, just like the snook right now.
The fishing has been slow this week due to high easterly winds with most catches coming before 8am. Redfish have been just under the slot limit and we caught 8 trout over the limit. Black drum to 60lbs are still around but are scattered and spooky a slow quiet approach is necessary to hook up with these guys, none were landed this week.
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6-12-2001 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Summer is here and the fishing is great!!!!
Redfish
Redfishing on the Banana River has been a great this week. I have been working a school of reds for the past week that has grown from 30 fish to 300. As the full moon has pasted the redfish have been hungry. Most of the fish caught this week have been on the Top Dog. However one was caught on a good spoon and one on live mullet ( Yes I used live bait ) I can't say that there was a best time to get the best hook-ups, we caught them all day.
Trout
Trout fishing was great this week. So far this week we caught 12 gator trout ( 30 inches + ) and hundreds of their smaller brothers. Most of the smaller fish where caught on TT21 MirrOlure's and their big brothers on Top Dogs. Same as with the redfish, we have been catching them all day. Today we almost beat my last years record of 6 gator trout in one day with 5. We will just have to try a little harder next week.
6/2/2001
Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Trout fishing has set into its summer norm. Hit the water by 6am, work top water plugs till 8am. By 9am they are becoming a little picky. You can through just about anything at them till the sun comes up, then they seem to like red and white baits better. The average size continues to be between 14 to 18 inches, however we are still catching a few over 20. after this next full moon the gator trout should start working back on the flats and starting feeding all day. Last year at this time I had one day were we landed 6 trout all over 30 inches on top water.
This brings up a point I have been debating with a few of the locals. Prior to the net ban if you caught a 20 inch trout many people considered it to be a gator tout. A trout of this size was something you only caught every now and again. Today I catch 20 inch trout all the time and it is not uncommon to find them up to 25 inches. Therefore, about a year ago I started calling gator trout any trout over 30. So, in the future if you read my reports and I talk about a gator trout, you know what size fish I am talking about.
Tarpon
The tarpon are coming out to play in the Sebastian River. The best catches have been on small finger mullet and small blue crabs. Most of the fish have been between 15 to 30 lbs. However for those of you wanting to hook into a larger tarpon, try outside of the port. There have been a few good catches up to 90 lbs this past week.
Snook
Now that season has closed the snook are starting to move in to their summer homes under over hanging trees and docks along the Indian River. Just look for nervous bait around shaded areas and hang on. Keep in mind though that they are out of season and must be returned to the water alive. A good way of insuring this is to use a little heaver line and try not to fight so long.
5-10-2001 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Schools of redfish have been on the move on most of the flats in the Indian and Banana Rivers. Some of the best catches have been in 2 feet or less on topwater plugs. If you read my reports often you know what lure I caught most of the on, The Top Dog 94M21 rigged with a Daiichi Bleeding Hook on the front. Most of the fish we have been catching for the past few weeks have been slot size fish and in schools of 5 to 20. Most of the fish I have caught have been on the east shore of the Banana River. However, there have been a few nice fish showing up just North of the NASA Causeway near Titusville. I have had my best luck around 10am after the barometric pressure has come up a little.
Trout
The trout fishing has been great this week. They have been hungry and willing to hit just about anything. Most of the fish have been between 14 to 18 inches. However, we have caught a few nice fish up to 24 inches. It shouldn't be to much longer till we start finding more trout over 30 inches now that the water temp has come up a little more. The majority of the better trout I have found have been caught on MirrOlure's 51MR-808 and the TT-28 and 21. Please remember to flatten your barbs. This will make it easer to remove and release unwanted fish. Personally I take out the center hook and replace the front hook with a Daiichi Bleeding Hook. Most of my best catches have been around 8am to noon in 3 to 5 feet just off the flats of the Banana River.
Tarpon
The tarpon are back in good numbers this year. I had a trip Tuesday of this week where we fished the Sebastian River. The tarpon were packed in pretty good but catching them was not on our agenda. This was not by our choosing though. After the moon passes a little more this should be a great place to hook into one on light tackle. Most of the fish were in the 20 to 30 lbs class. These fish will be great practice to get you ready for the July, August migration of the big boys, 100+ lbs , that come through every year.
Mangrove planting 2001
I would like to take this time to thank all of you that came out this past weekend to help in our Second Annual Anglers Mangrove Festival. It was great to see so many people took time away to help create habitat along our river. Thanks again, Capt. Doug Blanton
4-22-2001
4-22-2001 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Redfish have been moving on the flats of the Banana River a few hours after first light and a few hours before sunset. We have been able to catch a few nice fish up to 32 inches but most have been in the 18 to 27 inch slot. All of the reds have been caught on black and white Top Dogs in 2 to 4 feet of water.
Trout fishing has been great this past week. Every day out for the past few weeks we have caught between 20 to 60 fish. Most of the trout have been just under the 15 inch minimum with about 1 fish between 17 to 26 inches being caught for every 15 under size. We have caught them on just about everything in the tackle box. Our best fish have been caught on MirrOlure's 52M11 and 52M21 and Bass Assassins's 4 inch split tail.
We have also caught a few nice jacks and ladyfish. A few small tarpon ( 20 - 30 lbs ) have been spotted around residential canals, but they have been a little shy this past week. The only fish that have been caught have been on live mullet.
Capt. Doug's Tackle Report. Top Dog with Daiichi Bleeding Hooks
I have found a new way to rig MirrOlure's Top Dog that increase hook-ups. Try removing the front hook and replacing it with one of Daiichi's Bleeding Hooks. I have been doing this for the past few weeks and have noticed a big difference. Most of the fish that hit the lure have hit the front hook. This increases your chances of landing the fish. Don't just take my word for it, give it a try.
No-motor Zone
4-22-2001 report by Craig Redwine
Fishing last week was a blast we got a number of trout no monsters,26 inch red on top water red & white, a tagged 35lb black drum and a 52lb black drum on cut crab there everywhere and I saw many jacks and a snook on the flats about 30 inches long just got to say hi to him though.
4-2-2001 Offshore Port Canaveral/Bottom Fishing Report. By Capt Kent Fey
Well it seems the Cobia have done their disappearing act...well for now anyway...water conditions inshore are poor as for today anyway...a decent color change was moving in offshore buoy 2. with some scattered weeds. These weeds were holding fair numbers of tripletail from #4-#10. Getting our limit was quite easy...the larger fish required a little more effort due to the blustery winds...
The Ticket reported a good weed line in 135' and 150' with not many dolphin but large dolphin....Seems the Blackfin are making a showing with a report from Capt. Bret Hancock on the Obsession managing to catch 4 with minimal bait and no chum...good job.
3-17-2001
Flats Report
3-17-2001 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
Redfishing has slowed down a little this week, but the trout are back in full force. We only caught 3 reds this week, but they were all in the 35 to 48 inch range. All of the reds were still caught on my favorite lure, MirrOlure's Top Dog. The schools we saw this week were much smaller. Many of the schools had only 3 to 5 fish in them. Keep in mind though that the barometric pressure was really low most of the week and the wind has been up to 35 knots. A rule of thumb I have found is if the pressure is below 29.95 the reds don't seem to feed as well. If the pressure is above 29.95 the fishing is great. If you have a day and the pressure is high ( 30.01 ) and a front comes through in the middle of the day causing the pressure to drop suddenly, get ready to catch BIG fish. The reds seem to go into a feeding frenzy. Most of the BIG REDS (50 inches + ) and GATOR TROUT (30 inches + ) I have caught have been on the leading edge of a front.
Trout fishing has been good this week. I say good because we had many days last spring through fall last year that we caught 120+ trout in one day. This week we have averaged 25 trout a day. The catches have been good with a few fish up to 22 inches. Just like the reds most of the fish have been caught on MirrOlure's Top Dog. We have caught fish all day. The trout have been running a little deep at first light and on the flats by noon. Try looking for the schools of bait and the trout will be close by.
3-10-2001
3-10-2001 Flats fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt Doug Blanton
The resent cold front and high winds that just pushed through has brought water temperatures back down in the 50's earlier this week. When this happened most of the reds and trout on the Banana River developed a bad case of lockjaw. This weekend has been different story. The BIG REDS are feeding great now. Saturday we found 5 schools of 30+ fish between 35 to 45 + inches. They were exploding on MirrOlure's Top Dog. I know I talk a lot about this lure, but if you have never caught a red on top water, you haven't caught a red. When this lure is worked correctly, redfish, trout, snook, jacks, and the list goes on and on, will fight for a chance to devour it. I still say, If you want a big redfish, NOW IS THE TIME. These schools of fish look like dolphin moving along the flats. If you don't see a black fin come up its the reds. The wind doesn't start picking up before noon so get out on the flats and walk the Top Dog.
2-22-2001
Flats Report
2-22-2001 Fishing report for the Indian and Banana Rivers. By Capt. Doug Blanton
The fishing has been hot the past week! The red fish have been hungry, the trout have been hitting topwater, a few small tarpon have been working the edge of the flats. It has been a lot like spring on the water for the past week on the Banana River.
This past week we caught numerous trout ranging from 22 to 28 inches all on top water plugs. The trout haven't been as plentiful as they are in the late spring but their size has made up for their numbers. All of these fish where caught between 11 am and 3 pm, in 1 to 2 feet of water on MirrOlure's Top Dog. For those of you who have fished with me in the past and have used this lure you know just how much fun catching fish on this lure can be. Try looking for schools of nervous bait and fish the outside of the schools.
Trout are not the only fish that are smacking the surface. The reds have been just as hungry if not more so than the trout. This past week we have caught reds from 25 to 40 inches on the same top water plug as the trout. Watching a fish that was designed to feed on the bottom have to roll over to hit a top water plug is something every fisherman must do at least once in their life. The reds haven't been moving up on the flats till around 10am, but once they move on, they have been staying there all day. The reds I have seen have been in small schools of 2 to 10 fish and have been hunting on the flats for finger mullet. Look for mullet skimming across top water. The reds will most likely be the ones causing all the commotion.
If you want to catch some fish this next week I recommend sleeping in a little. Hit the water around 8 am. get out the the flats south of the Cocoa Beach Country Club and pole your way up on the flats. Due to the water clarity you will have to pole a good ways in. The reds and trout are very shy. Look for schools of bait moving, and get ready.
Offshore Report
2-21-2001 Offshore Port Canaveral/Bottom Fishing Report. By Capt Kent Fey
The CObs are....HEREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEe...
Although some may disagree they are....the past several days my parties have limited on the brown bombers....today was the larger of the days with fish from 28# to 47#.....with the their tripletail limit also from 8#-10#
We sighted about 10 other fish but waited out the day for the 47# fish...which came at the very last of the day...
Pics are to come....
Congrats to Brent Hancock and his party for a monster of a fish....73# cobia out of the bouy line.....
See you at the cobia tourney.....March 3rd...
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