The bottom fishing was good if you were able to get out. Plenty of triggerfish were taken. I went out several times and had great luck, we caught several grouper and red snapper.
If you are going to bottom fish, you will have to run out to 80 to 140 feet. That’s where you are most likely to find the grouper, red snapper and triggerfish. The AJ’s are taking live bait on the deeper reefs if you want a workout, but remember the real challenge is to land it before it gets eaten by a shark.
Cobia started showing up mid-March and are being caught on reefs, wreck sites and rays between Sebastian Inlet and Port Canaveral and they have been averaging in the 20- to 40-pound range.
I have had several reports of mahi mahi being caught in the deeper waters (140 ft. range). They are slow trolling and fast trolling to get the bite. I also heard of people chumming to get them up around the boat. The mahi mahi will start showing up toward the later part of the month and be with us for some time.
Try fishing nearshore where the bonito and Spanish mackerel should be going crazy on the glass minnows as they make their yearly run. You will get plenty of rod bending and drags singing! It’s a great time to watch the young anglers trying to bring in a bonito.
April should bring better weather and a multitude of fish, stay safe and I will see you on out on the water!