The early fall kayak fishing from Brevard has been spectacular with some outstanding catches of cobia, tarpon, sharks, kingfish, and large jacks for those launching from the sand. Most of these catches will come from 100 yards to about 3 miles out. In the surf zone, from the sand to just past the breakers, Big cobia like this one Justin Ritchey caught on a live croaker frequent Brevard’s beaches and can be a target for their fall southerly migration.
Snook, Redfish, jacks, and Bluefish will be on the hunt. Don’t miss a great opportunity if the surf conditions allow for a cast with 5-7in. lipped plugs or a top water plug to reach the sand from your ‘yak. Large live baits or large lipped plugs slow trolled behind your kayak are the way to go for those larger offshore fish. Medium heavy tackle is needed to get the best of some of the most powerful fish in Space Coast waters, and the buddy system is always a good idea. Both mullet and pogies can’t be caught by bait rigs and must be netted or foul hooked, but white baits like threadfins will eat Sabiki bait rigs and are best collected using that method. Additionally, croakers are best caught in the first trough with a small hook/ shrimp combo. Croakers and large mullet are hardy baits that travel well and are easily trolled at a slow steady pace. This is also the time of year for flounder to make the move to off-shore breading grounds. The ocean access points of Sebastian, Port Canaveral, and Ponce will play host to this migration. Live baits on fishfinder rigs or Buck tail Jigs tipped with a strip of bait will have you eating flounder for dinner in no time. Any structure in or around these three areas, including the adjacent beaches, will hold flat fish until the water becomes cold and spawning grounds call.
Forecasts by: Captain Alex Gorichky, LocalLinesChartes.com, full-time Space Coast fishing guide and Malibu Kayaks Pro-Staff paddler. Contact Captain Alex at 321-480-3255.