Welcome to January and a brand new year of surf fishing the Brevard County Coastline. I am expecting good catches of pompano and bluefish during this month punctuated by a number of cold fronts. I do think the January fishing will be much different from Decembers’ in weather or surf fishing conditions. Watch for the cold fronts coming through followed by warming periods. If you can track the fronts you can be a successful angler during this time. Anglers fishing before and after the fronts manage to take home many
fish dinners.
Live clams and fresh or frozen shrimp are still the baits for a largest variety of species. Bluefish can’t resist a chunk of cut mullet and pompano love a live sand flea and clean water. Sand fleas can be caught on the beaches during rising tides morning and evening or purchased at bait and tackle shops by the cup full. You name it and it will be caught in the surf during the next three or four months.
Want to have some fun: Take a 7/8 foot river rod with a reel spooled with 17/20 pound test mono fishing line. Slide a barrel sinker (1 oz. to 2 oz. depending on surf conditions) onto the running line then add a bead and tie on a swivel, finally add 12 inches of 30/40 pound leader material to a 3/0 or 4/0 circle hook. Bait with cut mullet, and cast into the trough and hang on for your first light tackle bluefish.
John Detmer 25 year veteran Surf Angler on Brevard County Beaches; Owner/Operator of J&H Surf Fishing the Space Coast. Contact John at 321-777-5554 or email jandhsurffishing1@att.net. Please check my website www.jandhsurffishing.com for information, pictures, videos and booking a charter.
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