Wind wind and more wind, go away already! Nearshore fishing has been great and should continue this month.
Massive schools of redfish have been near the port and around the tip of the cape. Look for the birds diving as it’s a good chance that they’re on them. There have been large bunker schools around, so take the time and look. They may not be flipping, so watch your machine and the mudd balls. The reds will eat anything you throw in the school—buck tails, bunker, and I’m sure even a hotdog. They’re all big and upwards of 35 pounds!
Shark fishing has been on fire as well. Large blacktips, hammerhead and blacknose have been plentiful. A bunch of bulls too. This time last year the big, extinct sandbar sharks moved in so we are hoping they do the same thing. They are a blast to catch in shallow water.
Many of my offshore trips turned into port trips and beach trips if we were lucky with a west wind. If you want to catch a bunch of stuff and keep the kids happy, get a few dozen live shrimp and have fun. The way we do our beach fishing is with medium rods and light tackle while using a 1/0 circle hook with a #20 leader to a small swivel then mainline. On the mainline, use a 1 or 1.5 oz egg sinker. This is the typical fish finder rig; works great and is very basic. Everything eats a shrimp.
Offshore, on the days we can get out, have been great, but this is also the time of year that the kings are picky. If they don’t have a live bunker or threadfin flashed in front of their face they wont eat. You will literally watch everyone around you get hooked up, but they will not touch a dead spinning minnow. You really have to put the effort in right now to catch the live baits.
Last February was the best long run we had last year as we caught tons of fish—many of them giants. It was even better than March. Take advantage of this February’s sunny days and go look around. 55-foot depths seem to be the most productive this time of year. Patrick has always been a productive area. The rays are showing up!
Have a great month and good luck.
Capt. Chris Cameron
Fired Up Fishing Charters
firedupcharters@gmail.com
www.firedupcharters.com
www.sharkfishingcocoabeach.com
(407) 222-3573
Your premier fishing guide charter for shark fishing Cocoa Beach, offshore fishing Port Canaveral, and nearshore fishing Cape Canaveral.