By Capt. Kevin Moran, Strippin Lips Fishing Charters
Offshore east central Florida has been improving as water clarity stabilizes, warms, and bait begins stacking up along the nearshore reefs and ledges off Ponce Inlet, New Smyrna Beach, and Daytona Beach. Working 100-150 feet has been producing steady action on vermilion snapper, lane snapper, triggerfish, porgies, and scattered grouper around hard bottom and wrecks. Mahi are starting to show up in small schools, especially around floating debris and temperature breaks. Bottom fishing has been most consistent with live pinfish, squid, jigs, and cut bait fished tight to structure.
Early morning departures are producing the best bite before boat traffic and sun push fish tighter to cover. Anglers putting in extra time moving between spots are finding better quality fish, especially on isolated pieces of structure holding concentrated bait. Conditions remain variable day to day, but overall offshore action is trending upward as summer patterns continue to set in. With calmer weather windows becoming more frequent, expect the nearshore and offshore bite to continue improving over the coming weeks.
