PORT CANAVERAL
Anglers working the waters just offshore of the port this month should be greeted by a variety of species that will be feeding around the bait pods in the 10 to 25-foot depths. Shark, Jack, Cobia, King Mackerel, and tarpon will be the most prevalent of these. Live pogies will be the best and easiest live baits to use for these fish, but a few artificial lures will also draw strikes when presented properly. Among these are Rapala X-Rap lures in the size 12 and 14, Storm swim baits, and large jigs that imitate the pogies that these fish are feeding on. Whiting, snook, redfish and pompano may be other species that can be found in the surf zones just outside the port. The snook should strike the same baits and lures as the shark, jack, and other species already mentioned. The whiting, redfish and pompano often strike small yellow or chartreuse colored jigs tipped with shrimp, clam, squid, or sand fleas. Work your jigs just outside of the surf zone. Incoming tides are generally better than outgoing tides when fishing for these species.
BANANA RIVER LAGOON
The flats are becoming the place to be now that the cooler water temperatures of spring are rising into the mid 70 degree range. With this temperature rise anglers will see a huge increase in the number of juvenile and full size mullet on the flats. Ladyfish, redfish, speckled trout, and jack will all be feeding on these bait fish every chance they get. Look for the ladyfish, smaller trout, and jack on the deeper flats, while the redfish and larger trout will be found in less than 2 feet of water in most cases. Skitterwalk top water plugs and Assassin 5-inch jerk baits rigged on a weedless worm hook will become two of the most effective weapons in your arsenal when searching for these various species. Use the Skitterwalk plugs during the first and last two hours of daylight. The Assassin jerk shad can be used at any time of the day, but most anglers find them effective during the mid-morning to mid-afternoon periods. The most important thing to remember is that these lures are most effective when they’re worked at a rapid pace near the mullet pods-imitating a scared baitfish.
Until next time…Catch a memory!