Water temps are very warm and the rains have darkened the water in most areas.
The Docks from Mathers bridge north to Pineda on the Banana River and docks on the Indian River Lagoon from Rockledge to Cocoa have been producing a good number of small snook, mangrove snapper, redfish and trout. Little greenies rigged on a 2/0 VMC circle hook free-lined or under a cork is the best way to target the snapper around the docks in 2-5ft of water. Skitterwalks are great baits early in the morning on the shallow docs to entice some snook, as well as a few big trout or reds. During the day switch to Trigger X Shrimp or the DOA Shrimp for best results.
The flats north of Pineda on the Banana River are still clear and sight fishing is still productive. The redfish are scattered and not bunched up in big schools. Over slot size trout are in the potholes ranging from one to 10 fish schools. Schoolie trout, jacks and ladyfish are on the drop-off near the edge of the flats. Go with the XRap Pop early and switch to your favorite scented bait as the sun rises.
The tarpon are in all of the area creeks and willing to eat flies as well as live mullet and chunk baits. In the Sebastian River, the fish will be up deep in the north fork until the sun comes up and then move out towards the railroad bridge and US 1 as the sun starts rise. Live mullet is the best baits in all of the creeks but the tarpon will also eat a Skitterwalk on top as well as the Rapala BX Minnow with a slow retrieve.
Fishing from Longpoint to Malabar, anglers continue to focus on bait pods and Mangrove shorelines, Spoil Islands and the docks in deeper water. The redfish, snook and trout as well as the occasional flounder are roaming the mangroves and hanging under the docks. Use the Rapala BX minnow around the deeper docks and the Skitterwalk or the XRap Pop in Mullet color along the shallow mangrove shorelines for best results. Plenty of jacks and ladyfish around the bait schools and will crash any suspending bait or soft plastics.
As the weather stays extremely hot through August, get out on the water early in the morning or late in the evening no matter where you are fishing. The bite will pick up in the evenings as the sun sets but you will have a much shorter window than in the morning. With the warmer clear water, you can improve your success by getting out in the water and wade.
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