redfish

Cathy from Merritt Island with a slot redfish.

Fishing this past week was not as good as we had hoped for in the Cocoa Beach and Titusville areas. A stalled frontal system gave us rainy and windy conditions over central Florida. Captain Justin did manage to get a few days on the water inside the calmer regions of the Banana and Indian River lagoons, so at least he was able to take a few of his clients that booked with him last week.

The lagoon waters are still very green with a huge algae bloom going on, but by using noisy topwater plugs early or late in the day, you can increase your chances at a hookup on a trout, snook, or redfish. The Rapala Skitterwalk or Strom Chug Bug lures do a great job for us on most days. Once this artificial lure action slows, then it’s time to switch gears.

Cut baits have played a huge role in Justin’s fishing tactics this week. Often cut baits are not very exciting to fish with, but there is no disputing that they are the most effective way to get fish to strike when the water conditions don’t allow these fish to see more than two inches in front of their faces. Both bull and slot-sized redfish will jump on a fresh piece of cut bait fished along the edges of islands and mangrove covered shorelines. Trout and snook are possible as well, especially early in the day while using the lures mentioned above. Later in the day the cut baits will catch the trout and snook, but redfish are much more likely to pick these chunks of bait up.

We are hoping that this coming weeks weather will bring some calmer conditions along the near-shore waters. The mullet run is strong along our Space Coast beaches again this week, and if the weather will cooperate we should see some exciting catches. Tarpon, shark, bull redfish, and snook should be pounding fingerling mullet fished on a sliding sinker rig in the surf break. We may find jack, spanish mackerel, flounder or tripletail as well. Justin only has a few days open if your interested in a charter, so please give him a call at 321-505-8217 to book your trip today.