If the water clarity remain as good as it was last month anglers should continue to see an increase in the numbers of trout and redfish that take up residence in the Banana River Lagoon this month. Clean, clear water is what allows the sea grass beds to flourish, and in turn the grass is what holds the shrimp, clams, crabs, and small bait fish that larger predators feed upon. Redfish should be found near docks, rocky areas, and mangrove covered shorelines or islands throughout the Newfound Harbor and 1000 island areas. captjimrossJun 1st, 2015
Deeper section of this body of water are going to be the best areas to target speckled trout and black drum if we get our usual cold temperatures this month. Residential canals, dredge holes and areas near causeway bridges that span this lagoon are fantastic places to search for these fish as well. Redfish will also seek refuge from cold temps in the deeper areas, but usually move right back out onto the flats once the sun start to warm them after each frontal passage. Cut baits, live shrimp and small cast-able lures generally work on these cold water reds. If the weather is warmer this year than what we normally get in February, anglers may find the trout
and redfish on the flats looking for small crustaceansandminnowstoeat.
Captain Jim RossBrevard EditionFeb 1st, 2015
Deeper canals and dredge holes in the Merritt Island and beachside canals are good places to start your search for redfish, speckled trout, and black drum on most mornings this month. The cold overnight temperatures usually bring these fish species into the deeper more stable waters located here. Live shrimp are the number one choice for bait danglers fishing here. There can also be very good action when using lures like a white, chartreuse, brown, or black colored HookUp buck tailed jigs. The buck-tail flows and moves well in the colder water, and when combined with Bang! or Pro- Cure scent products, can even out produce live shrimp on some days. Whiting, silver trout, sand trout, and weakfish, plus sheepshead are other species that anglers are likely to catch this month while fishing these deeper areas. If we get a few days of warm weather between fronts redfish may push out onto the shallow flats to sun themselves and forage for shrimps, crabs, and small bait fish along many of the shorelines along the Banana River and also into the Newfound Harbor and Sykes Creek areas.Brevard EditionDec 30th, 2014
Anglers should start to see more fish making the transition from the shallow flats they have inhabited over the summer and fall months to areas with deeper water like residential canals, and dredge holes. As the waters cool, these deeper areas usually have more consistent temperatures and become favored places for black drum, redfish, and speckled trout. Live shrimp or fingerling mullet on a weighted rig or jig head can be one of the best ways to get these fish to strike. Brevard EditionDec 1st, 2014
In August the middle portion of the Banana River from the 520 Causeway southward to about the Eau Gallie Causeway experienced a fish kill related to a huge algae bloom. The culprit is the highly toxic rainwater runoff that drained into this area.captjimrossAug 25th, 2014
Speckled trout will be prowling the flats during the early morning periods. Anglers getting on the water at first light will have the best chance to get one of the larger “gator” trout on a topwater plug. Walk the dog style plugs like the Rapala Skitterwalk are very good choices on most mornings. captjimrossJul 30th, 2014
Speckled trout catches should remain decent in the flats during the cooler morning periods. Once the sun get up in the sky they will generally shut off though. Look for areas that mullet are congregating in and use Rapala Skitterwalk or BX “waking” minnow plugs around these schools of baitfish.captjimrossJun 28th, 2014
