The fishing in and around the Port area will be very dependent on the water temperatures this month. If we have a typical winter- anglers can expect weakfish, pompano, whiting, and sheepshead to provide them with some action. These species will provide a good variety of quality eating fillets in exchange for soaking a piece of shrimp on the bottom of the various port basins. The pompano and whiting are likely to strike small jigs tipped with shrimp in the surf zones or along the deeper drop offs between the entrance of the port and the middle basin area. The sheepshead are fond of structure and will be around dock pilings and rocks throughout the port. Small pieces of shrimp or small crabs and sand fleas are their favorite things to munch on. Put these on a short shank heavy wire hook so you have a chance at pulling these tough fighting fish away from the structures that they call home. Weakfish are a visitor to the Canaveral area each winter and the main shipping channel is one place that anglers can target them. These fish look like speckled
trout but have dashes instead of spots on their sides. They prefer to suspend 5 to 10 feet above the bottom on most days and live shrimp or soft plastic jig tails can be very effective offerings when they are schooling in the channel area. These fish tend to group in better numbers if we get an exceptionally cold winter, but they can be found on most days in February no matter what type of winter we have. If this winter is warmer than usual anglers could find tripletail near floating debris or buoys in the area known as the Bight.Brevard EditionFeb 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
anuary was a good month for those who got out and braved the weather fronts. Pompano and black drum showed up with whiting and blues mixed in for a good run of surf fishing. Sand fleas were present on the beaches from Cocoa Beach to Sebastian Inlet. One day I watched a fellow catch a 5 gallon bucket of sand fleas in about 2 hours just by walking up and down the beach and catching them as he went along. There will come a time this winter when anglers will be willing to trade a good rod and reel for a cupful of sand fleas.Brevard EditionFeb 1st, 2015
Well, it appears as winter has us in its hold with low water levels and cold water temperatures. Predictably, cold fronts are moving through on a fairly regular basis. The regularity of these fronts helps take the guesswork out of planning our excursions onto the shallows!Brevard EditionFeb 1st, 2015
Last January the flounder bite was better in January than earlier because the colder temps pushed them in Sebastian Inlet. This winter has been similar to last year so anglers should expect the flounder to be moving around the same time. Fish with live finger mullet on a short 20lb leader and a sliding sinker just heavy enough to keep the bait on the bottom. Fish near the channel edges or on the edges of the rocks along the shoreline on the north and south sides of the inlet. Anglers wanting to jig for flounder can use a 1/2oz to 3/4oz bucktail or soft plastic bait with a paddle tail with a filet of mullet or pinfish. Jig the sandy bottom in the inlet to pick up good numbers of flounder in January. Brevard EditionDec 30th, 2014
I hope everyone’s holidays and New Years was awesome and safe! Just want to say thank you to everyone who helped me out this past year. Without our fishing community being so friendly to one another all the time, fishing would be way more difficult at times. Part of doing well out here is knowing where they’re chewing and sometimes relying on the help from fellow captains. Thank You!Brevard EditionDec 30th, 2014
