PORT CANAVERAL: The waters outside of the Port should continue to hold decent numbers of bonito, tarpon, shark, and jack crevalle, plus anglers should see an increase in the number of king mackerel this month. The kings won’t totally abandon the offshore reefs that they have been holding on for the past few months, but we will see a significant increase in the numbers of fish that will start moving into the 20 to 40- foot depths and join the other species that have been here for a while. Anglers will need to start thinking about running wire stinger rigs for the king mackerel. There will be a few fish caught on mono or fluorocarbon “tarpon” style rigs, but the number of cut offs from the mackerel teeth will usually have most anglers switching to wire to avoid this from happening. The good news about “beach mackerel” is that these fish are usually larger than the average kingfish that you will find on the 70 to 90-foot reefs at this time of the year, and some are real “smokers” that will weigh into the 40 pound range. Pompano and whiting catches should remain decent along the beaches and shoal area near the tip of the cape for anglers using live sand fleas, cut shrimp, or any of the various “pompano style” jigs that are available on the market. Inside the Ports basins look for flounder on rocky drop-offs or near either of the ports jetties. Live mud minnows are the top bait for these fish but live fingerling mullet, pilchards, or shrimp can also be effective at times.
BANANA RIVER LAGOON: If the water clarity remain as good as it was last month anglers should continue to see an increase in the numbers of trout and redfish that take up residence in the Banana River Lagoon this month. Clean, clear, lagoon water is what these fish are looking for, and this also may allow some sea grass to begin to flourish. This in turn is what holds the shrimp, clams, crabs, and small bait fish that the trout and redfish feed upon. Redfish should be found near docks, rocky areas, and mangrove covered shorelines or islands throughout the Newfound Harbor and 1000 island areas. Fish near glass minnow or fingerling mullet bait pods when possible. Topwater plugs Like the Rapala Skitterwalk usually work at first light and again at dusk. Through the middle of the day Saltwater Assassin soft plastic jerk baits rigged on a weedless hook, or a sea shad tail rigged on a jig head or weedless weighted swim bait hook are often effective for these fish. Slot sized trout can also be expected when targeting redfish with these types of lures. Live shrimp or live fingerling mullet are good choices if you are not proficient with using these types of artificial lures. Schools of speckled Trout will also strike lipped diving plugs that run 1 to 3-feet deep. I like the Rapala X-Rap size 08 or 10 in the olive green, clown, or glass ghost color patterns. Anglers can avoid the dreaded puffer attacks when using these types of lures over the open grass flats in 3 to 5-feet of water. Ladyfish and jack will strike them as well. To give them a little extra attracting power spread some Pro-Cure “mullet” or “ladyfish” flavored scent attractant on these hard plastic type lures and hang on!
Capt. Jim Ross
Fineline Fishing Charters
www.FinelineFishingCharters.com
(321) 636-3728