I’m excited to report that so far this year the water clarity has remained good and sea grass beds are expanding throughout most of this fragile body of water. As long as the residence of Merritt Island, Satellite Beach, and Cocoa Beach continue being good stewards of this precious resource and eliminate fertilizing their lawns, they should see redfish, snook, and sea trout stocks remain plentiful in this portion of the lagoon system. If this body of water gets a heavy dose of pesticides, phosphorus, and nitrogen from lawn-water runoff you can kiss these fish good bye. Live fingerling mullet and plugs or lures that imitate them are receiving attention from redfish and speckled trout scaling to 8 pounds. Cut baits are popular as well, especially cut ladyfish if anglers are targeting redfish into the 40-inch range. Drop offs and flats where congregations of mullet are found are the best places to start your search for these predators. Sheephead and mangrove snapper are possible near bridge and dock pilings for anglers using live fiddler crabs and cut or small whole live shrimp. Look for jack, ladyfish, bluefish, and tarpon in the deeper sections of the lagoon near Patrick Air Force Base.
[easy-social-share]