DECEMBER RECAP
In true 2020 fashion December did no t make it easy and fought us until the very end. The near shore fishery really saved us once again with phenomenal action from red drum and sharks. We had a lot of fun pompano fishing for those that wanted to stay in the calm waters but also wanted a fresh fish dinner. The pompano fishing wasn’t red hot but it was well worth doing. Offshore we had quality king mackerel and the fishing for them on the few days it was calm enough to get out was nothing short of phenomenal. The bottom fishing was really good also with several nice scamp grouper and a few gag grouper. The most impressive was the stringer fish fishing for those willing to put down the grouper rods they were rewarded with jumbo size trigger fish, vermillion snapper and pink porgies. Cobia were also on point when we would bottom fish 90 to 160 ft. We definitely seen a lot of throwback cobia but for sure there were good numbers of fish so that is very encouraging for the future stock.
Nearshore Fishing
I have no reason to believe this month will be any different than last month. The big red drum have set up shop and will provide great action for anyone wanting a good fight and awesome memories. Toward the end of December we started to see a lot of juvenile hammer head sharks, this should carry into January for anyone wanting to check one of the coolest looking sharks in the ocean off their list. These are juvenile hammer heads between 20 and 80lbs so most of them we can quickly remove the hook and get a quick picture before releasing. Seriously take a minute to try and get the kids out to catch these hammer head sharks because it will absolutely be a memory that last forever. I always look forward to bumping the beach for pompano and whiting this time of year. Be quick to get your baits back to the same spot when you catch your first pompano because they are schooled up tight and on the move. You get them in bunches but it is short lived until they make their next round or another school swims by.
Offshore Fishing
Almost a no brainer on what everyone should be doing this month offshore. King mackerel are here in a big way so even if you only take a hour or two out of your fishing day you need to be doing some good old fashion king fishing. All the reefs and structure 60 to 100ft will have kings, cobia and sailfish so this should be the start to every offshore trip in January. This is probably one of your best months to check a sailfish of your bucket list and honestly if you choose to charter us for a sailfish specific trip, we are going to start off king fishing because odds are we will get a shot at a sailfish or two. This is a great time of year to deploy the dredges and teasers to start covering some ground to increase your odds at a sail fish so give us a call if this is something you want to make happen.
This can also be a phenomenal time of year to set up shop on Canaveral shallower reefs to do a little mangrove, mutton, lane and vermillion snapper fishing. It is simple, get a lot of bait to the bottom in a lot of different ways. Sliding sinker rigs, chicken rigs, knocker rigs, and float lining to the bottom with just enough lad to slowly sink your bait. You will weed through some red snappers and a lot of throwback species but if you stick with it you will end up with a very fun day and some great table fare. This is also a great month for deep drop fishing golden tilefish on those beautiful bright sunny days when the light can penetrate into the deep dark depths triggering those deep water fish to feed.
January is really a underrated month for deep sea fishing here in Cocoa Beach / Port Canaveral. I think the wind down from the holidays gets in our head that the fishing winds down also but that is simply not true. It is game on right now so for those that are local or anyone vacationing outside the normal vacation pattern please give us a call because the fishing is fine as kind right now.
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