WEEKLY FORECAST
10.5.2021 – 10.11.2021
A CENTRAL FLORIDA FISHING FORECAST EVERY TUESDAY
Don’t forget, there’s new changes to the Flounder season in the Florida Atlantic, both State and Federal waters — recreational harvest will close effective October 15 and re-open December 1.
After new changes approved to the fishery’s management last year, recreational Flounder season is coming to an end next week, October 15th. It will reopen December 1st. In other news, we’ve got a winner of the Daiwa Spinning Combo courtesy of Strike-Zone Fishing…
IN THIS WEEK’S FORECAST…
SPACE B.O.I. FORECAST
OFFSHORE
INSHORE
BEACH
WEATHER OVERVIEW: Oh boy, this week looks like it is going to be a good one in terms of the weather. Low winds pretty much though Friday should allow anglers to get out and target just about anything they want to fish for. It looks like Saturday afternoon the wind will pick up and possibly stay that way through Sunday. Overall this looks like a good week to go fishing!
Click here to check out the marine forecast from the National Weather Service.
Whether you need HVAC repair or maintenance, or just want to ensure a comfortable temperature in your home, call American Air & Heat, Brevard’s most trusted AC company since 1942, at 321.632.COLD(2653).
GIVEAWAY CONTESTS
DAIWA BG INSHORE SPINNING COMBO
This month, Strike-Zone Fishing is giving away a Daiwa BG Inshore Spinning Combo to one lucky Spacefish reader! The winner will be randomly drawn from all entries and announced Tuesday, October 5th!
AND THE WINNER IS…
Joe Naylor of Titusville
Congrats, Joe! Thanks to everyone for participating. Be on the look out for another great giveaway coming soon!
Dawai Combo Contest Entry
CONTEST RULES
- Eligibility
The DAIWA COMBO Giveaway Contest (the “Contest”) is open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Employees of Spacefish and other companies associated with the promotion of the Contest, and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates and advertising and promotion agencies as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible. The Contest is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations. - Sponsor
The Contest is sponsored by Spacefish and Strike-Zone Fishing. - Agreement to Official Rules
Participation in the Contest constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon being compliant with these Official Rules and fulfilling all other requirements set forth herein. - Contest Period
The Contest begins on August 31st 2021 at 12:00 AM EASTERN and will continue at weekly intervals through through October 4, 2021 (the “Contest Period”). Entries that are submitted before or after the Contest Period will be disqualified. Submissions will be accepted for the duration of the Contest by completing the contest entry form on Spacefishreport.com - How to Enter
Online entry will be available by visiting Spacefish.com and following the directions provided to fill out the entry information, and submit. Limit one (1) entry per person, per email address, for the duration of the Contest Period, regardless of method of entry. Entries received from any person or e-mail address in excess of the stated limitation will be void. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. By entering the Contest, individuals consent to sharing their entry information and corresponding contact information with American Air & Heat of Brevard. - Prize Drawing
On Tuesday, October 5th, the Sponsor will select potential winners in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received. The odds of being selected depend on the number of entries received. If the potential winner does not claim their prize by emailing info@spacefishreport.com within five (5) days, the Sponsor may select an alternate potential winner in his/her place at random from the remaining non-winning, eligible entries, or pool the prize into another subsequent giveaway. - Winner Notification The potential winners will announced in the weekly fishing report. Each potential Grand and First Prize winner (parent/legal guardian if a minor in his/her state of residence) will be required to complete, electronically sign and submit a Declaration of Compliance within five (5) days of the date notice or attempted notice is sent, in order to claim his/her prize. If a potential winner cannot be contacted, or fails to submit the Declaration of Compliance within the required time period (if applicable), or prize is returned as undeliverable, potential winner forfeits prize. If the potential winner is at least 18 but still considered a minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, Sponsor reserves the right to award the prize in the name of his/her parent or legal guardian, who will be required to sign the Declaration of Compliance on the potential winners behalf and fulfill any other requirements imposed on winner set forth herein. Potential winners must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. In the event that a potential winner is disqualified for any reason, Sponsor will award the applicable prize to an alternate winner by random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries. Only three (3) alternate drawings will be held, after which the prize will remain un-awarded. Prizes will be fulfilled approximately 2-3 weeks after the conclusion of the Contest.
- Prizes
The winner will receive one Daiwa BG Saltwater Spinning Combo (valud at $140) - General Conditions
In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Contest is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, bug, worm, unauthorized human intervention or other technical problem, or in the event the Contest is unable to run as planned for any other reason, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either (a) suspend the Contest to address the impairment and then resume the Contest in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules or (b) terminate the Contest and, in the event of termination, award the prize at random from among the eligible, non-suspect entries received up to the time of the impairment. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to damage the website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages (including attorney’s fees) and any other remedies from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Failure by the Sponsor to enforce any provision of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. - Release and Limitations of Liability
By participating in the Contest, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Sponsor, and each of their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, other companies associated with the Contest, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, shareholders, representatives, and agents (the Released Parties) from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Contest or receipt or use of the prize (including any travel or activity related thereto), including, but not limited to: (a) any technical errors associated with the Contest, including lost, interrupted or unavailable Internet Service Provider (ISP), network, server, wireless service provider, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone, cellular tower or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties; (b) unauthorized human intervention in the Contest; (c) mechanical, network, electronic, computer, human, printing or typographical errors; (d) application downloads, (e) any other errors or problems in connection with the Contest, including, without limitation, errors that may occur in the administration of the Contest, the announcement of the winner, the cancellation or postponement of the event and/or the flyover, if applicable, the incorrect downloading of the application, the processing of entries application downloads or in any Contest-related materials; or (f) injury, death, losses or damages of any kind, to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrants participation in the Contest or acceptance, receipt or misuse of the prize (including any travel or activity related thereto). Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Released Parties liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Contest, and in no event shall the entrant be entitled to receive attorney’s fees. Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages. - Disputes
Except where prohibited, each entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Contest or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in Florida. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrants rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsor in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of Florida, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules, which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than Florida. - Privacy
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Fishing Reports
In every week’s Spacefish fishing forecast, we turn to both fishing pros and average joe’s for input on what’s happening in and around Brevard County’s many fisheries. Here’s what people are saying about the bite in the Space Coast this week. And don’t forget — anyone — including YOU, can contribute a report to the list below!
Fish Firing Hard Ahead of Front
Prior to the frontal passage on Monday afternoon the fish were firing off hard! We hope this will continue for the rest of the week, but it remains to be seen at this point. There are tripletail, cobia, sharks, and monster jacks patrolling the near-coastal waters right now, so it’s been a really good bite for us here at Fineline Fishing Charters.
In the rivers and around the inlet there are plenty of black drum, snook, jack, redfish, and even a few pompano and tripletail. Some of the snook are pushing 15-pounds right now and they’re a real handful on a spinning rod when you hook into one. The pompano are not consistent but they are a pleasant surprise when we get into them. Live shrimp continues to be the best bait on outgoing tides for most of these species.
The snook fishing will only get better as we get into the last two weeks of March so grab your buddy, wife, or kids and let’s go catch some. If you’d like to get out with either Capt. Justin or myself to catch your next memory, please give us a call at 321-636-3728 or 321-505-8217 so that we can get you lined up to get out with us and catch some of these great fish in the next few weeks.
by Capt. Jim Ross
Fine Line Fishing Charters
| (321) 636-3728
March Offshore Fishing
March is here and I finally have my first fishing report worth doing in 2024. The last 2 months have just been plagued with rough seas, cold dirty water and mostly very poor fishing.
We can expect many more fishable days this month as we transition into our spring time fishery.
Let’s start close and work our way out. Coastal shark fishing will steadily improve with warmer temperatures. Big black tip and spinner sharks up to 6ft 100lbs and lots of nice black nose and fine tooth sharks to be caught. Spanish mackerel fishing will be really good with the slightly below average water temperature holding them but we can expect the pompano to be a little later than usual, along with triple tail as that temp comes up so that is all adding up to a action packed March.
Next on everyone’s brain will be cobia. Will we see an actual cobia run along the coast that we remember of years past? Unfortunately, I think the answer is no. Thus fishery has morphed into something different and not quite as fun as sight fishing for them. The cobia are here but they are going to be spread out deep and sticking with the big bull sharks & sandbar sharks that plague every bit of structure along the Florida’s East coast.
Bottom fishing for stringer fish such as lane snapper & trigger fish is going to be awesome as long as long as the dirty green cooler water temperatures stay with us. These are also really good conditions for mangrove snapper. In the past we always have enjoyed the larger mangrove snapper the waters off Port Canaveral are known for but I highly suggest trying to target the smaller mangroves because it is almost next to impossible to get anything over 5 pounds past the sharks.
Good chance we see a little bit of an early mahi run as the colder green water butts up against the warm clean water of the stream. Blackfin tuna and sailfish will right there with them. I don’t expect it to be fast and furious fishing but good days can be had if you’re willing to work at it.
Amberjack fishing will be really good but as always the challenge will be to get them past the sharks. Try your best and then go vermillion fishing.
We are looking forward to a great Spring Break and are very excited to put this windy, rainy, miserable winter behind us.
by Capt. Greg Rapp
Sea Leveler Sport Fishing Charters
| (321) 794-3474
Things Are Warming Up!
This warmer weather we’ve been having has sure woken the river up! The mornings have been very productive along the mangroves. Target zones where fish are visibly chasing prey. Small paddle tails on lightweight jigs continue to be effective.
by John Page
JP Kayak Fishing and Tours
| (321) 345-8388
Good Numbers, Empty Beds
It was a busy week for me last week getting out on the water. Tuesday I was out on Headwaters. We did pretty good for numbers but big fish have still eluded us. We finally had some fun topwater action. With the calm winds the hydrilla gnats were out in force. We found lots of empty beds as well.
Wednesday we headed out to 3 Forks. Our plan was to run way south to the Satori area but the main canal was so chocked in we didn’t even try. All the northern areas we’ve caught lots of fish in throughout the years have been completely void of any kind of fish the last two years now.
Thursday was a fly fishing adventure with my old Northern friends before they head back home. We managed 8 small bass throwing Gurglers and small Streamers.
This week is going to give us what I hope is the last cold front for us until Fall. I’m going to try and squeeze out a day before the drop in temperatures and high winds.
by Terry Lamielle
| (321) 537-5346
Find Your Spot and the Fish Will Come
March is here, and it’s like the sea and the sky are finally waking up after a long nap, showing off their true colors. The weather’s been pretty sweet, a bit of a mix, but overall, it’s making the waters inviting for our finned friends. And guess what? The fish seem to agree! With the water getting a touch warmer and the winds deciding to take a chill pill, we’ve seen quite a show. Some of us had our lines buzzing with activity, while others played the patience game, hoping for that rewarding catch. The week’s VIPs? The feisty bluefish, the hefty whiting, and the ever-elusive pompano, snagging the spotlight as the prized catches.
Now, onto the million-dollar question that’s been buzzing around: “Where’s the magic spot to fish along the beach?” Here’s a little secret – it’s all about finding those sneaky washouts, or as most folks call them, “rip currents.” Yep, the same spots those beach signs warn us about, jokingly saying they’ll whisk you away to Africa! But here’s the twist: those are the gold mines for fishing. But, you gotta play detective a bit. The best time to spot a promising fishing haven is during low tide. Look for those tide pools when the tide’s taking a breather. It’s a bit of legwork, strolling along the beach at low tide, but it’s worth it when you uncover those hidden troughs and pools. Just remember, these spots like to move around with the wind and currents, so keep your spirits up if you have to search a bit.
Now, let’s chat about what’s been happening fish-wise. Bluefish are still stealing the show, having a ball with pompano rigs breaking us off……. and we’ve also seen some nice-sized whiting, along with small black drum hanging around the Canaveral and Cocoa Beach areas. As for bait, bluefish have been going crazy for cut finger mullet, while the other catches have been loving the classic pompano rig, armed with either a live sand flea or a chunk of frozen shrimp. And don’t stress about the color of your attractant floats – seems like the fish aren’t too picky about fashion. Target those first or second troughs; they’re the hot spots as the water warms up.
Stop by the shop whenever for up to date reports! Tight lines everyone
by Nik Kaldor
Cocoa Beach Fishing Center
| (321) 783-3477
Great Weather, but Mixed Results Fishing
Good morning, Sebastian Inlet fishing family; I hope everyone had a great weekend. The weather was absolutely impressive, but not so much the fishing at the inlet. It was decent, but nowhere near what it could be.
My visits last week from Wednesday through the weekend was a hit-or-miss with the snook. They are around, but you have to be there when they do decide they want to play a bit. With all the toothy critters running around the inlet lately, big blues, jacks, nice Spanish mackerel and quite a few bull and hammerhead sharks, the snook really don’t want to have anything to do with them. Most of you fishing snook know that they are very skittish and easily spooked when they feel threatened, and they will NOT want to bite — along with the giant Goliath groupers that want to eat them.
On a good note, the water has warmed up nicely — up to 73 now as of this morning — and I saw some decent schools of finger mullet around the north jetty last time I was down there, that’s a great sign, along with a fairly good showing of mojarras in the inlet. The good snook bite is just around the corner. But the inlet is still pretty active with the monster blues keeping them at bay. So here we go with the breakdown action spotter.
North jetty
As I mentioned earlier, there have been finger mullet coming down the beach and around the jetty. This will attract some sprint time action for sure. The snook I saw caught last week have been largely on the outgoing tide, ‘walking the dog’. Quite a few oversized fish, but some are in the slot to be kept. The incoming tide has produced a few, but not like the outgoing has. I also saw anglers using live shrimp and catching a few nice redfish on the incoming tide, along with the snook that were biting. Between the pilings they are still catching some nice sheepshead on cut shrimp and fiddler crabs and sand fleas. Another species being caught in good numbers were the Spanish mackerel at the tip, incoming and outgoing tide were both producing nice fish, and in good numbers. Small white jigs and gotcha lures are the ticket for them.
Also, on the outgoing tide for those fishing cut bait and large silver spoons, the “monster” bluefish are back again for another go round. The fish I saw caught were in the eight to 10-pound range, and in decent numbers to get a limit of three per person. Beachside of the jetty has been slow, but out towards the end I did hear of whiting and a couple of pompano caught on cut shrimp and sand fleas. Back towards the bridge along the shoreline on the incoming tide I saw some redfish caught, along with a few small undersized snook on live shrimp.
South Jetty
Here, the fishing has been slower due to the water being a bit dirtier from the SSE winds, but on the incoming, a few nice slot snook and small snook are being caught on live baits — mojarra and shrimp are the ticket for them. Along with the snook I did see a couple nice redfish caught, along with monster bluefish farther out in the channel. Big silver spoons and jigs were getting the bite from the blues. They were quite plentiful so you could get your limit of three per person. At the tip on the outgoing tide, they guys were catching blue runners, jacks and black margates and a couple nice pompano on cut shrimp. Closer to the beach in the surf pocket area I saw a couple small flounder caught on small white rubber swim baits fished slowly bumping the bottom. They are there all the time, just nobody fishes them.
T-Dock area
It’s been slow here, but the action is picking up due to warmer and cleaner water. Friday, on the incoming tide, I saw anglers catching monster blues, but not in the numbers as out on the jetties. Also, those tossing small white or green jigs were getting a few of the nice Spanish mackerel that have been around. Snook fishing back here has picked up some with the presence of warmer, cleaner water AND the presence of the mojarras. Incoming tide has been the time to fish the area or them. Most of the fish I saw caught were oversized, but a few were able to be kept. Redfish also have been present back here on both tides, in certain areas that offer an eddy in the current.
Surf Area, both sides
South of the inlet —from the state park day use area to just south of the jetty there has been pompano activity, if you find some clean water. Cut shrimp and sand fleas are the baits of choice. Also, they have been catching some whiting and smaller black drum, same baits. And for those tossing silver spoons and jigs, Spanish mackerel and the big blues are a possibility. The north side of the park from the jetty north the same thing, and baits. Find some clean water, and fish it.
That’s it for today’s report, and the fishing is improving as I predicted. Springtime is here, it’s going to get hotter and the fishing will continue to improve. Grab your gear, get your favorite bait, and get out to your favorite hotspot.
Tight lines everyone!
by Wayne "Snookman" Landry
Sebastian Inlet State Park
| (321) 724-5175
Pelican Holding Fish
What a great few days we had. Kings showed up and they showed up hungry! Pelican seems to be holding the fish nicely. Not just kings on the troll, but the bottom dwellers, too. Triggers and snapper variations are also going strong. Cut bait chicken rigging is the trick.
Bunker have been around so look and try to get a net on them. The kings have been happy to chew them up. Meanwhile, unfortunately, there hasn’t been any Mahi around yet.
Cobia are on rays and free swimming north of the bouy line. It’s nothing crazy, but we seen them there the other day and picked up one decent sized fish.
Good luck, stay safe.
by Capt. Chris Cameron
Fired Up Charters
| (407) 222-3573
Benefitting from Warmer Temps & Calm Winds
The warmer temps and calm winds has really helped the inshore fishing. Water temps in the lagoon have warmed up to close to 80 degrees and there has been more bait around and the snook and Trout have been more active on artificial baits as well as live bait. Still plenty of bluefish, jacks and ladyfish to target as well.
Nearshore, bait has started to show up and the blacktip and spinner sharks are out along the beaches as well. Topwater and live bait have been good for the sharks but they are leader shy. Wave found a few smaller schools of tarpon as well, but it’s hard to get through the sharks to get the tarpon bites. This cold front should set us back a little, but it shouldn’t last too long and we should be back to decent weather at the end of this week or beginning of next week.
by Capt. Glyn Austin
Going Coastal Charters
| (321) 863-8085
Fort Pierce Inshore
WOW, what a windy winter season here on the Treasure Coast! I’m fairly certain we didn’t have more than two consecutive days of “nice” weather in the past many months. Though the temperatures were relatively mild with no freezes or even frost, the wind and rain kept me at home for far too long.
Fishing in general this winter was so-so in the backwater jungles of Fort Pierce. Most any hole or depression along the mangroves held plenty of bottom fish, with an explosion of juvenile mutton snapper. Even better catches of sheepshead were found around hard structures if the wind and waves allowed us access. Live shrimp accounted for most of our success right up until this past week, when live pilchards and threadfins became available.
We fished a bunch this past week and I was able to keep my Texas people busy for three days running. We used a combination of live shrimp on circle hooks and Goofy Jigs to pound the ladyfish, jacks, snappers, pompano and a permit.
The real fun was on our last day as we procured four dozen live pilchards and worked our way around the Inlet and jetties. The guys’ caught more and bigger jacks and mutton snappers, along with some snook and big bluefish too. They even hooked several freight trains near the mouth of the Inlet and I’m not sure if they’ve slowed down yet!
With the improved weather conditions I hope to spend more time on the water and include timely reports of what’s happening here in The Fort!
by Capt. Mark Wright
Florida East Coast Fishing Adventures
| (321) 302-3474
Great Fishing for Lane and Mangs
This week the lane snapper and mangrove snapper bite has been incredible! Black drum are starting to break up a little bit, but the upcoming cold front should bring the schools back together. Along the beaches we’re starting to get schools of bait fish with giant bluefish and Spanish mackerel mixed in. April is the month we start to see the spring-like patterns start to develop with topwater and soft plastics being the best bet for redfish trout in the lagoon. I have days available in April, you can reach me at 386-295-5991.
by Capt. Mike Mann
Fat Fish Guide Service
| (386) 295-5991
Good Bite Since Front
Since the frontal passage, the bite has gotten really good for us here at Fineline Fishing Charters. In the rivers, black drum, small snook, and baby tarpon are the top three species that are pulling drag. Small trout are also available, especially along channel intersections or the edges of dredge holes. Along the beaches manta rays are starting to show up, however we have not caught any legal sized fish yet this year.
Tripletail, black drum and mangrove snapper are three other species that we’ve been targeting lately and having good success on. Some of the mangroves are pushing 5-pounds right now and they’re a real handful on a spinning rod when you hook into one. Live shrimp continues to be the best bait for all of these species most of the time. The snook will feed on silver perch and croakers as well when you can find them.
If you’d like to get out with either Capt. Justin or myself to catch your next memory, please give us a call at 321-636-3728 or 321-505-8217 so that we can get you lined up to get out with us and catch some of these great fish in the next few weeks.
by Capt. Jim Ross
Fine Line Fishing Charters
| (321) 636-3728
Warmer Temps Turning Up the Bite
The weather has definitely made a turn for the better this past week and looks to be sticking around through this week as well. With the warmer temperatures hitting us here in the Central Florida area it has really turned the fish on. The water has warmed up a bit pushing the bait up on the shallow flats and making the game fish follow. The trout and redfish have been hanging along the edges of the shallow grass flats where as the black drum can be found in the larger sand holes throughout Mosquito Lagoon. We still have a large number of blue fish throughout the waters of New Smyrna Beach along with some snook that are starting to play. The bite has been good overall and with stable weather for a while it looks like it could continue for a little bit.
by Capt. Patrick Rood
Spot N Tail Charters
| (386) 566-1394
CAUGHT ON CAMERA
Check out what’s been caught on camera while fishing in around the Space Coast this week.
LOCAL EVENTS
Roy’s Surf Fishing Challenge
Roy’s Surf Fishing Challenge is coming up on October 22. It’s a great event with cash prizes for adults and juniors for a variety of species. Get all the details on the website!
THANKS FOR READING!
Thanks for reading another weekly fishing report from Spacefish. Don’t forget to listen to Spacefish ON THE RADIO every Friday at 4pm as we talk fishing with Mark Moses on SPORTS RADIO 1560 THE FAN.
last few days kind of slow on beach; today was really good; bait active all morning with a few Tarps getting us excited; hooked one maybe 30-32in; nice10 sec battle; ended with a few nice chunky Jacks, some blues, Ladyfish and Spanish; back at it tomorrow