Of the many different seasonal and resident fisheries’ that are available to us here on the Space Coast, tops on my list is the catch-and-release spring, speckled sea trout. Yes, I know you can catch sea trout year round on the space coast, but starting in March and continuing until May large “gator” female sea trout will be willing to dismantle your top-water lures with reckless strikes. These hard hitting, spawning trout will rely on large hardy prey and areas with deeper water adjacent to shallow flats to fill their needs. A sea trout will reach “gator” size at 25in. (for me) and will almost all be female from that size on. Basically, any sea trout over 25in. is sure to be full of roe, and is the corner stone of our breading stock. The largest most aggressive trout will typically feed best in low light conditions on top-water plugs, but they can also be intercepted when they push from the shallows into deeper water, as the sun climbs, with soft plastics. Typically the days surrounding the new and full moons will have the most activity. My top choice for low light conditions is a large, noisy top-water plug that can be worked in a walk-the-dog retrieve imitating a wounded baitfish. The conditions and fish will dictate which plug will produce bites, and use the rule of quiet lures in calm and noisy in chop. Bright colors like chartreuse, white, bone, orange, and white with red heads can work at times, but nothing beats a sea trout pattern on your top-water plug (they are the ultimate cannibal). I like the Rapala Skitter Walk, Mir-O-Lure Top Dog, and classic Zara Spook for my walk–the–dog plugs. Also, Slayer Inc. jerk baits that imitate needle fish will produce when fleeing needle fish are seen. When the sun gets high hit the edges of the flats with Slayer Inc. SST on a 1/8oz. Slayer Inc. jig head.
Spring also gives us a more seasonal fish in the migratory cobia that swim within yards of our beaches. These large brown fish resemble a shark, but are much more sought after. Cobia fish can top the 80lb. range, but average 25lb. in the spring run. Being an open water species of fish they can be found just about anywhere along the coast. Some great launching beaches are Melbourne, Patrick Air Force Base, the mid number Cocoa Beach streets, around the CB Pier, Jetty Park/Buoy line at PC “ take care of heavy boat traffic”, and especially Playalinda Beach. Cobia will readily fall for a bright large bucktail jig with a plastic trailer, large live baits, large shrimp, live or plastic, and at times nothing you have in your box. Once a likely area is found with boats slowly searching or bait pods drop your yak and go. Sighting free swimmers on the surface is a good way to find them, but also look for them to be hugging under turtles, manta rays, debris, weeds, and bait pods. Use 15-25lb. gear and let your jig sink under any target. You might not even see the one well below.