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Surf
| www.fishbrevard.com |
Surf Fishing Report Archives
Surf - Jan 20, 2007
Unusually warm weather is being blamed for the lack of pompano along our area
beaches. With the coolest weather to date this winter being back in November, and
temperatures typically soaring into the mid-80s, pompano just aren't foraging in the
surf like they usually would be this time of year.
In addition to the warm trend, blustery winds, often from the south, are keeping surf
conditions rather churned up and murkey, further hindering the pompano bite. On
days when the surf is fishable, anglers are finding fairly decent numbers of whiting
and a plethora of small sharks. One angler even reported catching a releasing a
small thresher shark along Melbourne Beach, an odd catch for this area. The few
pompano being caught are generally small and must be released.
When we have our next significant cold front that will cool down both our surf
temperatures as well as the water in the Indian River Lagoon, anglers might start
seeing more pompano moving out of the intracoastal waterway into the open ocean.
This is when our area inlets and adjacent beaches can be the most productive.
Your best bet right now on the beach is to use live sandfleas or fresh cut clam in the
cleanest water you can find to have any chance at all at finding pompano. Whiting,
black drum and sheepshead are also good possibilities and generally tend to prefer
the cleaner water.
Surf - Jan 10, 2007
The surf has been difficult to fish these last few days mainly due to persistent winds.
Winds are out of the northeast at present, which should improve water clarity on the
beaches. Anglers that are willing to use fairly heavy weights, mainly 4 and 5 ounces,
can try casting fresh cut clam and shrimp out for whiting, black drum and occasional
pompano between Satellite Beach and Bonsteel Beach. A few bluefish are also
roaming the beaches and are hitting cut mullet. Sandfleas are inconsistent on
beaches, being present one day and gone the next, but when they can be found,
they are ideal for targeting whiting, pompano and drum. A few sandperch and
croakers are also along deeper troughs along the beach and are hitting cut shrimp
and sandfleas.
Surf - Dec 6, 2006
The surf is fairly churned up, however, anglers are finding some Spanish
mackerel along beaches adjacent to our local inlets. Mackerel prefer clean
water so look for areas where the water conditions are the best. Target the
mackerel with small jigs, spoons and plugs like the Gotcha Plugs and Sea
Sharks with a small piece of wire leader. Look for birds diving on baitfish to
find the best beaches and cover a wide area to find the fish.
Bluefish are consistent along many Brevard and Indian River County
beaches, where anglers are doing best with and live finger mullet. Those
casting spoons and plugs are also getting fish, especially in areas where bait
is abundant.
Pompano are showing up in small numbers around our inlets and Patrick
AFB beaches. Fresh cut clams, shrimp and live sandfleas are all producing.
Black drum and sheepshead are also taking these baits.
Indian Lagoon Coast - Capt. Tom Van Horn, December 2006
Bluefish and Spanish Mackerel - Large schools of bluefish and Spanish
mackerel have been feeding on glass minnows (bay anchovies) along the
beaches and outside the Inlets. When targeting these fish watch for bird
activity and work small jigs or spoons very fast to avoid cut offs. A small
trace of wire can be added ahead of your bait to reduce cut offs, but in some
cases the keen vision of the toothy mackerel will reduce the number of
strikes. Also, if you see pelicans diving on bait and then holding their bills
down in the water in an effort to strain the water from the smaller baitfish
before swallowing, you are in the right spot.
Surf - Nov 25, 2006
Windy weather is creating rough conditions in the surf, which generally is only
good for catching catfish and sharks. When winds subside, anglers should
start seeing more pompano along beaches, especially around our area
inlets, such as Port Canaveral, Sebastian and Fort Pierce inlets. Some
anglers were getting pompano on small yellow jigs, while most beach
fishermen will do best with live sandfleas, cut clams or shrimp.
Bluefish are probably the best bet in the surf right now, where they are hitting
cut and live finger mullet. Try filleting frozen finger mullet and using the small
fillets on a long-shank hook for the blues. The longer hooks act as a leader
without having to resort to using steel leaders, which can reduce the number
of strikes.
Black drum, whiting and sheepshead should also be cruising the beaches
when rough weather conditions subside, where they will hit shrimp, clams and
sandfleas.
Surf - Nov 21
Strong northerly winds have blown out the surf and will likely keep it churned
up for several days, even after weather conditions calm. When winds do
subside, bluefish will be the best bet in the surf, with pompano being widely
scattered. Before the blow, anglers were finding more pompano along
beaches adjacent to area inlets, such as Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach,
Vero Beach and Fort Pierce. Some big whiting and small black drum are
also active along beaches.
Surf - Nov 15, 2006
The best bet in the surf, once weather conditions improve, will be for bluefish
and Spanish mackerel. Bluefish and mackerel are generally active along
Brevard and Indian River county beaches during fall and sometimes winter
months. Cut finger mullet is generally the bait of choice for the bluefish,
though anglers can opt to use live mullet, spoons or jigs. Mackerel are much
pickier and will only hit small lures or baits that imitate a small baitfish, such
as their favorite food of choice, the glass minnow, also known as the bay
anchovy. When weather conditions are calm, glass minnows and other small
baitfish come in close to shore and these fish can be seen in the shallow surf
blasting bait in all directions. Other times the fish are just moving through and
make no mention of their presence.
Those specifically targeting the mackerel will want to watch for diving terns
and other smaller shore birds. Cast small spoons and jigs with a short wire
leader as these fish have razor sharp teeth. Bluefish also have some
formidable teeth and will cut lines with ease, but we recommend using a
heavier mono-leader, such as 30 to 40 lb. test, rather than going with steel as
this will improve strike ratios.
Pompano are starting to show up more and more in the surf, and should be
more common with cooler temperatures. The best area for these guys has
been between Melbourne Beach and Vero Beach, specifically right around
Sebastian Inlet. Anglers are also finding them just south of Port Canaveral,
possibly because these are fish coming out of the Indian River rather than
fish that are already in the surf. Live sandfleas, cut clam and fresh cut shrimp
are all good baits, though the pompano often prefer one over the other
depending on the day.
Big whiting, black drum to 4 pounds and sheepshead are also roaming
around the surf in no specific pattern. All three of these species can be taken
on the same baits as the pompano.
Surf - Nov 11, 2006
Bluefish, jack crevalle and Spanish mackerel are chasing baitfish along the
surf zone along most beaches throughout Brevard and Indian River counties.
Anglers using live or cut finger mullet are getting good catches of bluefish to
2 1/2 pounds. Mackerel are more finicky and are hitting spoons, jigs and
glass minnow imitations in areas where glass minnows are active. Sharks
can also be seen swirling in the whitewash.
Whiting are scattered, however anglers are getting some good-sized fish on
cut bait, shrimp, clams and live sandfleas. Pompano are still scattered but
more concentrated between Melbourne Beach and Vero Beach. Anglers are
reporting more pompano on fresh cut shrimp than clams or sandfleas.
Surf - Nov 1, 2006
Big waves have made the surf a bit rough for most anglers, though some are
still targeting bluefish, snook and jack crevalle with live finger mullet. Anglers
are having to use fairly heavy weights to keep the baits in the water rather
than on the beach. Few snook are being reported, though blues are
consistent.
Sheepshead and margates continue to hit live sandfleas, cut shrimp, clam
and squid when anglers can fish the surf. Most of the sheepshead have been
around the rocks while the margates are scattered.
Surf - Oct 22, 2006
The water has gotten very dirty and dark green and the wind is fairly strong out of
the south to southeast. I expect conditions will improve once winds switch around to
the east or north. Right now the surf water is very warm, which may be hindering the
fish activity.
Finger mullet are fairly consistent in the surf, despite how dirty and hot it is. For the
most part, the snook activity has stopped, however anglers are still finding some
bluefish and jacks, though they have slowed as well.
Black margates, a few whiting and some Atlantic croakers are taking live sandfleas,
cut shrimp and squid in the surf, though catches are not as good as they were last
week.
Surf - Oct 19, 2006
The fall mullet run is still underway, but the action has slowed down considerably.
Some anglers blame the wind switch, which is out of the south now. Others think the
mullet are just dwindling down.
Snook and flounder, which were active in the surf last week, have slowed to a crawl.
I haven't seen either caught in over 3 days. Bluefish, jack crevalle and black
margates continue to dominate the surf between Patrick AFB and Indialantic. I heard
of some pompano showing up around Cocoa Beach and further south around
Melbourne Beach - but haven't seen any in the areas I've been fishing. I have also
heard of some nice snook and flounder hitting live finger mullet around the Cocoa
Beach Pier during the mornings. I saw one whiting caught yesterday in the surf, the
first I've seen in over a month.
Bluefish aren't hitting plugs, spoons or even cut bait, but they are hitting live finger
mullet. Most of the blues are good-sized, averaging two pounds or so. Try using a
long shank hook to help with cut-offs. Cast out past rocks or trough lines for the
blues as they have been roaming mostly between the trough and the largest
breaking waves.
Sandfleas are consistent in the surf, but most easily accessable during low tide.
Look for them along troughs and low in the wash line. If water is high, go wading for
them! Finger mullet are still running the shallows in the surf, however, anglers are
having difficulty netting them early and late in the day and you might have to wait a
while for a school to swim by. Better yet, catch your bait in the river or buy it at a
tackle shop and come to the beach ready to fish!
Surf - Oct 16, 2006
Beaches along the entire Brevard County coastline offer a variety of species for
anglers due to the annual fall mullet run. Mullet are moving south along the surf line,
often in only a foot of water, and are being chased by numerous species of
predatory fish. The rough, windy weather has hindered catches somewhat,
however, persistent anglers are getting fish.
Bluefish are the best bet right now, being common from Port Canaveral south to
Fort Pierce. Most of the blues are averaging 1 1/2 to 2 pounds and are traveling in
small groups. Anglers can catch them with jigs, spoons, plugs and live finger mullet.
Most anglers are targeting snook in the surf right now. Live finger mullet fished on a
sliding sinker rig is the best bet, though anglers can also use live pigfish and pinfish
or plugs. Beaches between Indialantic and Sebastian Inlet are producing the better
catches of snook along edges of color change in the water. With windy conditions
persisting, anglers may have to cast further out to find the cleaner water. Further
north, anglers are finding snook along edges of trough and rock lines as well as out
past the breakers.
Also in the surf south of SR 192 are some big redfish and tarpon. Most of the reds
are over-sized and must be released, while the tarpon are averaging 60 to 80
pounds. Remember, to keep a tarpon, you must have a $50 tarpon permit before
the catch.
Anglers fishing along beaches with numerous rocks, such as those along Cocoa
Beach and Patrick AFB, are also picking up some flounder when using live finger
mullet as bait. Flounder are not a common catch in the surf, however, this time of
year they often take advantage of the migrating mullet and feast along with rest of
the fish.
When winds begin to subside and water clarity improves, anglers should see more
Spanish mackerel along beaches. Target the Spanish with live finger mullet or small
jigs and plugs, such as Gotcha and Sea Shark lures. Remember, these mackerel,
as well as the bluefish, have nasty teeth, so use a small piece of steal leader or
heavy mono-line and keep fingers away from their mouths.
Catches of sheepshead, whiting and black margate should resume once winds
subside and the surf clears up some. Live sandfleas, cut shrimp, clam and squid all
account for these fish.
Surf - Oct 13, 2006
The early morning low tide has kept the baitfish in very shallow water, often giving
the predatory fish a huge advantage as the bait gets trapped in troughs, along reef
lines and sandy ridges that line the surf zone along Brevard and Indian River
County beaches. Snook are most active from about an hour before dawn until about
9 a.m. Anglers are finding snook later in the day, and especially around dusk,
however, this early morning period has been best.
Bluefish have joined the mix of fish targeting the mullet along the beach and are
scaling up to about 3 pounds. Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and ladyfish are still
fairly common throughout the day. Tarpon are sporadic, being along one area of
the beach one day and gone the next. The best bet for anglers targeting tarpon
would be to looked for the schools of larger mullet rather than the finger mullet,
though they will eat both.
Surf - Jan 20, 2007
Unusually warm weather is being blamed for the lack of pompano along our area
beaches. With the coolest weather to date this winter being back in November, and
temperatures typically soaring into the mid-80s, pompano just aren't foraging in the
surf like they usually would be this time of year.
In addition to the warm trend, blustery winds, often from the south, are keeping surf
conditions rather churned up and murkey, further hindering the pompano bite. On
days when the surf is fishable, anglers are finding fairly decent numbers of whiting
and a plethora of small sharks. One angler even reported catching a releasing a
small thresher shark along Melbourne Beach, an odd catch for this area. The few
pompano being caught are generally small and must be released.
When we have our next significant cold front that will cool down both our surf
temperatures as well as the water in the Indian River Lagoon, anglers might start
seeing more pompano moving out of the intracoastal waterway into the open ocean.
This is when our area inlets and adjacent beaches can be the most productive.
Your best bet right now on the beach is to use live sandfleas or fresh cut clam in the
cleanest water you can find to have any chance at all at finding pompano. Whiting,
black drum and sheepshead are also good possibilities and generally tend to prefer
the cleaner water.
Surf - Jan 10, 2007
The surf has been difficult to fish these last few days mainly due to persistent winds.
Winds are out of the northeast at present, which should improve water clarity on the
beaches. Anglers that are willing to use fairly heavy weights, mainly 4 and 5 ounces,
can try casting fresh cut clam and shrimp out for whiting, black drum and occasional
pompano between Satellite Beach and Bonsteel Beach. A few bluefish are also
roaming the beaches and are hitting cut mullet. Sandfleas are inconsistent on
beaches, being present one day and gone the next, but when they can be found,
they are ideal for targeting whiting, pompano and drum. A few sandperch and
croakers are also along deeper troughs along the beach and are hitting cut shrimp
and sandfleas.
Surf - Dec 6, 2006
The surf is fairly churned up, however, anglers are finding some Spanish
mackerel along beaches adjacent to our local inlets. Mackerel prefer clean
water so look for areas where the water conditions are the best. Target the
mackerel with small jigs, spoons and plugs like the Gotcha Plugs and Sea
Sharks with a small piece of wire leader. Look for birds diving on baitfish to
find the best beaches and cover a wide area to find the fish.
Bluefish are consistent along many Brevard and Indian River County
beaches, where anglers are doing best with and live finger mullet. Those
casting spoons and plugs are also getting fish, especially in areas where bait
is abundant.
Pompano are showing up in small numbers around our inlets and Patrick
AFB beaches. Fresh cut clams, shrimp and live sandfleas are all producing.
Black drum and sheepshead are also taking these baits.
Indian Lagoon Coast - Capt. Tom Van Horn, December 2006
Bluefish and Spanish Mackerel - Large schools of bluefish and Spanish
mackerel have been feeding on glass minnows (bay anchovies) along the
beaches and outside the Inlets. When targeting these fish watch for bird
activity and work small jigs or spoons very fast to avoid cut offs. A small
trace of wire can be added ahead of your bait to reduce cut offs, but in some
cases the keen vision of the toothy mackerel will reduce the number of
strikes. Also, if you see pelicans diving on bait and then holding their bills
down in the water in an effort to strain the water from the smaller baitfish
before swallowing, you are in the right spot.
Surf - Nov 25, 2006
Windy weather is creating rough conditions in the surf, which generally is only
good for catching catfish and sharks. When winds subside, anglers should
start seeing more pompano along beaches, especially around our area
inlets, such as Port Canaveral, Sebastian and Fort Pierce inlets. Some
anglers were getting pompano on small yellow jigs, while most beach
fishermen will do best with live sandfleas, cut clams or shrimp.
Bluefish are probably the best bet in the surf right now, where they are hitting
cut and live finger mullet. Try filleting frozen finger mullet and using the small
fillets on a long-shank hook for the blues. The longer hooks act as a leader
without having to resort to using steel leaders, which can reduce the number
of strikes.
Black drum, whiting and sheepshead should also be cruising the beaches
when rough weather conditions subside, where they will hit shrimp, clams and
sandfleas.
Surf - Nov 21
Strong northerly winds have blown out the surf and will likely keep it churned
up for several days, even after weather conditions calm. When winds do
subside, bluefish will be the best bet in the surf, with pompano being widely
scattered. Before the blow, anglers were finding more pompano along
beaches adjacent to area inlets, such as Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach,
Vero Beach and Fort Pierce. Some big whiting and small black drum are
also active along beaches.
Surf - Nov 15, 2006
The best bet in the surf, once weather conditions improve, will be for bluefish
and Spanish mackerel. Bluefish and mackerel are generally active along
Brevard and Indian River county beaches during fall and sometimes winter
months. Cut finger mullet is generally the bait of choice for the bluefish,
though anglers can opt to use live mullet, spoons or jigs. Mackerel are much
pickier and will only hit small lures or baits that imitate a small baitfish, such
as their favorite food of choice, the glass minnow, also known as the bay
anchovy. When weather conditions are calm, glass minnows and other small
baitfish come in close to shore and these fish can be seen in the shallow surf
blasting bait in all directions. Other times the fish are just moving through and
make no mention of their presence.
Those specifically targeting the mackerel will want to watch for diving terns
and other smaller shore birds. Cast small spoons and jigs with a short wire
leader as these fish have razor sharp teeth. Bluefish also have some
formidable teeth and will cut lines with ease, but we recommend using a
heavier mono-leader, such as 30 to 40 lb. test, rather than going with steel as
this will improve strike ratios.
Pompano are starting to show up more and more in the surf, and should be
more common with cooler temperatures. The best area for these guys has
been between Melbourne Beach and Vero Beach, specifically right around
Sebastian Inlet. Anglers are also finding them just south of Port Canaveral,
possibly because these are fish coming out of the Indian River rather than
fish that are already in the surf. Live sandfleas, cut clam and fresh cut shrimp
are all good baits, though the pompano often prefer one over the other
depending on the day.
Big whiting, black drum to 4 pounds and sheepshead are also roaming
around the surf in no specific pattern. All three of these species can be taken
on the same baits as the pompano.
Surf - Nov 11, 2006
Bluefish, jack crevalle and Spanish mackerel are chasing baitfish along the
surf zone along most beaches throughout Brevard and Indian River counties.
Anglers using live or cut finger mullet are getting good catches of bluefish to
2 1/2 pounds. Mackerel are more finicky and are hitting spoons, jigs and
glass minnow imitations in areas where glass minnows are active. Sharks
can also be seen swirling in the whitewash.
Whiting are scattered, however anglers are getting some good-sized fish on
cut bait, shrimp, clams and live sandfleas. Pompano are still scattered but
more concentrated between Melbourne Beach and Vero Beach. Anglers are
reporting more pompano on fresh cut shrimp than clams or sandfleas.
Surf - Nov 1, 2006
Big waves have made the surf a bit rough for most anglers, though some are
still targeting bluefish, snook and jack crevalle with live finger mullet. Anglers
are having to use fairly heavy weights to keep the baits in the water rather
than on the beach. Few snook are being reported, though blues are
consistent.
Sheepshead and margates continue to hit live sandfleas, cut shrimp, clam
and squid when anglers can fish the surf. Most of the sheepshead have been
around the rocks while the margates are scattered.
Surf - Oct 22, 2006
The water has gotten very dirty and dark green and the wind is fairly strong out of
the south to southeast. I expect conditions will improve once winds switch around to
the east or north. Right now the surf water is very warm, which may be hindering the
fish activity.
Finger mullet are fairly consistent in the surf, despite how dirty and hot it is. For the
most part, the snook activity has stopped, however anglers are still finding some
bluefish and jacks, though they have slowed as well.
Black margates, a few whiting and some Atlantic croakers are taking live sandfleas,
cut shrimp and squid in the surf, though catches are not as good as they were last
week.
Surf - Oct 19, 2006
The fall mullet run is still underway, but the action has slowed down considerably.
Some anglers blame the wind switch, which is out of the south now. Others think the
mullet are just dwindling down.
Snook and flounder, which were active in the surf last week, have slowed to a crawl.
I haven't seen either caught in over 3 days. Bluefish, jack crevalle and black
margates continue to dominate the surf between Patrick AFB and Indialantic. I heard
of some pompano showing up around Cocoa Beach and further south around
Melbourne Beach - but haven't seen any in the areas I've been fishing. I have also
heard of some nice snook and flounder hitting live finger mullet around the Cocoa
Beach Pier during the mornings. I saw one whiting caught yesterday in the surf, the
first I've seen in over a month.
Bluefish aren't hitting plugs, spoons or even cut bait, but they are hitting live finger
mullet. Most of the blues are good-sized, averaging two pounds or so. Try using a
long shank hook to help with cut-offs. Cast out past rocks or trough lines for the
blues as they have been roaming mostly between the trough and the largest
breaking waves.
Sandfleas are consistent in the surf, but most easily accessable during low tide.
Look for them along troughs and low in the wash line. If water is high, go wading for
them! Finger mullet are still running the shallows in the surf, however, anglers are
having difficulty netting them early and late in the day and you might have to wait a
while for a school to swim by. Better yet, catch your bait in the river or buy it at a
tackle shop and come to the beach ready to fish!
Surf - Oct 16, 2006
Beaches along the entire Brevard County coastline offer a variety of species for
anglers due to the annual fall mullet run. Mullet are moving south along the surf line,
often in only a foot of water, and are being chased by numerous species of
predatory fish. The rough, windy weather has hindered catches somewhat,
however, persistent anglers are getting fish.
Bluefish are the best bet right now, being common from Port Canaveral south to
Fort Pierce. Most of the blues are averaging 1 1/2 to 2 pounds and are traveling in
small groups. Anglers can catch them with jigs, spoons, plugs and live finger mullet.
Most anglers are targeting snook in the surf right now. Live finger mullet fished on a
sliding sinker rig is the best bet, though anglers can also use live pigfish and pinfish
or plugs. Beaches between Indialantic and Sebastian Inlet are producing the better
catches of snook along edges of color change in the water. With windy conditions
persisting, anglers may have to cast further out to find the cleaner water. Further
north, anglers are finding snook along edges of trough and rock lines as well as out
past the breakers.
Also in the surf south of SR 192 are some big redfish and tarpon. Most of the reds
are over-sized and must be released, while the tarpon are averaging 60 to 80
pounds. Remember, to keep a tarpon, you must have a $50 tarpon permit before
the catch.
Anglers fishing along beaches with numerous rocks, such as those along Cocoa
Beach and Patrick AFB, are also picking up some flounder when using live finger
mullet as bait. Flounder are not a common catch in the surf, however, this time of
year they often take advantage of the migrating mullet and feast along with rest of
the fish.
When winds begin to subside and water clarity improves, anglers should see more
Spanish mackerel along beaches. Target the Spanish with live finger mullet or small
jigs and plugs, such as Gotcha and Sea Shark lures. Remember, these mackerel,
as well as the bluefish, have nasty teeth, so use a small piece of steal leader or
heavy mono-line and keep fingers away from their mouths.
Catches of sheepshead, whiting and black margate should resume once winds
subside and the surf clears up some. Live sandfleas, cut shrimp, clam and squid all
account for these fish.
Surf - Oct 13, 2006
The early morning low tide has kept the baitfish in very shallow water, often giving
the predatory fish a huge advantage as the bait gets trapped in troughs, along reef
lines and sandy ridges that line the surf zone along Brevard and Indian River
County beaches. Snook are most active from about an hour before dawn until about
9 a.m. Anglers are finding snook later in the day, and especially around dusk,
however, this early morning period has been best.
Bluefish have joined the mix of fish targeting the mullet along the beach and are
scaling up to about 3 pounds. Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and ladyfish are still
fairly common throughout the day. Tarpon are sporadic, being along one area of
the beach one day and gone the next. The best bet for anglers targeting tarpon
would be to looked for the schools of larger mullet rather than the finger mullet,
though they will eat both.