by Capt. Jon Zeller
The New Year will hopefully bring some calmer conditions to take advantage of the great fishing missed during a bumpy December. The late cold fronts last year have allowed the sailfish and dolphin to remain in our area longer than expected. The numerous sightings continue to be found from 100 – 150’ range in the dirty water with other fish in the traditional blue water further out. Look for baitfishand free jumping sails around the 26-30 mile distance going east. Trolling a spread of small naked swimming ballyhoo on 60# mono leaders around a variety of surface teasers and deeper dredge teasers will still be the most effective way to catch them. Further offshore, amberjack can be found schooling around wrecks and deepwater ledges in 170’ – 300’.
Live pinfish or grunts presented on an 8-12’ 100# leader with a 8/0 circle hook and 16oz lead will guarantee a bite from the hardest fighting fish from the deep. High speed trolling wahoo lures (8-14 knots) in the same area should entice bites from the stripped torpedoes people love to eat. It is also possible to find temperature breaks and color changes that hold dolphin during the month so have the mono skirt rig ballyhoos at the ready and take advantage of the good weather between cold fronts.
Bottom fishing will be a good way to capture some of the tasty cobias typically biting during this time of year. Anchoring over wrecks or large bottom structures in the same areas where you would find king mackerel is a good place to look for these hard fighting fish. Cut herring and squid on double rigs will capture most of the stringer fish and get the larger cobias attracted to the commotion. Deploy a stout bottom rod and a reel spooled with 80# using a 10’ long leader single rig with a fresh live bait or big chunk bait to feed the curious cobia. Also have a spinning rod with a jig or bare hook for live bait ready to cast at a fish that will swim directly off the transom. Please be sure to have a venting tool and de-hooker at the ready to release the numerous red snapper and any grouper that will be caught while trying to catch the other good eating reef fish legal to keep.
FORECAST BY: Capt. Jon Zeller
New Smyrna Beach Billfish Invitational Sport Fishing Charters
(386) 290-4181 www.nsbbi.com