August has rolled into the Space Coast on the heels of a wet July. Water quality has improved in the northern Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon. The Banana River Lagoon has maintained clean water through this summer (so far) with nice grass covering most areas. Sea-trout fishing has been strong with large fish still holding shallow until the sun climbs high. The yearly pinfish crop is moving along nicely and they should be in that perfect palm-size this month. These hardy baits suspended under a popping cork just above the sea grass are magic. Three to five foot flats with a good mix of sand and grass can put some nice trout in the kayak. Not to mention it’s great for when that unrelenting sun peaks high in the sky. Pinfish are easily the best “yak friendly“ baits available in our waters; easy to keep live, easy to cast net, and plentiful. It’s a great way to test the waters of live baiting from a kayak too! Hit dock lines and mangrove shorelines for a good mixed bag of our lagoon gamefish. Soft plastic baits like the Slayer Inc. SST and SSB rigged weedless on “keeper” style soft bait hooks help you get close to the structure without snagging as much. Work these and all baits slow due to the heat; fish can get lazy in the summer! Early morning and evening trips are considerably more comfortable to anglers and fish alike. Tarpon and bait are thick to the south of Cocoa Beach. These are well within the reach of a beach launched kayak. Caution should be used when tackling large fish in the open ocean from a kayak. You can take the risk out of the equation and book a near shore mothership trip with me.
On the news front, I was very pleased to work with your Brevard CAM publisher, Damon Pullias, promoting the awesome new Brevard CAM website. Utilizing us CAM captains is a great way to bring attention to this great new resource with fishing charter giveaways. Linda (Fishing Trip with Alex Contest Winner) and I are gonna have a great time on our trip, so be sure to check the site and get in on the next give away – Offshore fishing with Fired Up Charters of Port Canaveral. Many of us have been working on stopping the potential land development on the Shiloh that will restrict access to some amazing and popular areas of our refuge. Get educated on this and other things affecting our resources.
Luckily we seem to be clear of the nasty waters that plagued us last year and some of this year; no one can refuse that the dying of marine mammals and birds are signs that must be seen. Please help take care of this place for the coming generations. On another, lighter note BOONDOGGLE’s coming; Google it! It’s Florida kayak fishing’s biggest meeting. Also upcoming on Nov. 9th is “The 2013 KARS Park Redfish Classic,” hosted by the amazing team at KARS and Local Lines guide Alan Ryland.
Tight lines & Wet Paddles