WEEKLY FORECAST

5.21.2019 – 5.27.2019

A CENTRAL FLORIDA FISHING FORECAST EVERY TUESDAY

Indian river lagoon algae bloom

ALGAE IS COMING…

A SONG OF DUNG AND WATER

Whether you’re a fan of HBO’s Game of Thrones or not, you’ve almost certainly heard about the recent conclusion of its final season. The story’s long-anticipated “Winter” finally came and, surprisingly, shared a major commonality with the winters experienced right here in Central Florida — it left people asking, “That was it???” While warming weather represented the end of the existential threat to the people of Westeros, for Central Florida, it now marks a heightened ecological threat to the lagoon system. Far from the peak temperatures of summer, the season has hardly begun, and already, the threat of toxic algae looms large.

There’s many contributing factors to the proliferation of toxic algae in the lagoon, but the underlying problem is clear: excess nitrogen and phosphorus in the water. One significant source of these nutrients is the runoff from fertilized lawns within our community.

In an effort to reduce nutrient runoff during the peak algae threat season, Brevard County enforces a ban on the application of fertilizer containing nitrogen or phosphorus during the blackout period of June 1st to September 30th. Problematically, many local residents go merrily about fertilizing their way to greener grass, unaware that this ban even exists. It’s hard to expect otherwise when these “banned” products remain fully stocked on the shelves of every major retailer with a home & garden department in the county. In effect, the ban does little to fulfill its purpose during this critical period of time.

The crisis facing the lagoon is too big and far too urgent to wait in reliance on legislatures and elected officials for solutions. Bold leadership and action is needed from individual private citizens within our community — and we’d like to proudly recognize one of our valued Spacefish sponsors as exemplifying such leadership: Bill Pastermack, owner of Ace Hardware Titusville.

ace hardware Titusville Leading the way among local retailers to reduce nutrient runoff into the lagoon, Bill has committed to pulling banned fertilizers from the shelves of the two Ace Hardware locations he owns and operates in Titusville. We salute and thank Bill for taking this step to help save the lagoon. Show Bill that he has the support of the community by stopping by one of his two locations. If you’ve never before been, what’s inside may surprise you — these are NOT your average hardware stores. For instance, you’ll find a huge assortment of fishing gear, including rods, reels, tackle, kayaks, and more; the largest selection of Costa Sunglasses in Brevard County; and an unrivaled selection of grills and smokers at the Grilling HQ Garden Street location. Thank you for supporting local businesses like Bill’s!

Sunstate Pest Control

SPACE B.O.I. FORECAST

OFFSHORE

TOP TARGETS

  • Dolphin
  • Grouper
  • Kingfish

INSHORE

TOP TARGETS

  • SHRIMP!
  • Flounder
  • Seatrout
  • Tarpon

SURF/JETTY

TOP TARGETS

  • Whiting
  • Croaker
  • Snook

WEATHER OVERVIEW: Get ready for a beautiful week of weather here in Central Florida. You should expect sunshine and blue skies throughout most of the week with fairly low winds. There will be an uptick in wind come Thursday but it should taper off throughout the day Friday. If you want to fish offshore, nearshore, inshore, lakes, surf or jetties, this week is shaping up to be a good one!

Click here to check out the forecast from the National Weather Service.

Grills Seafood - Lakeside, Port Canaveral, Melbourne

WEEKLY GIVEAWAY

Our weekly giveaway prize is back to $20 Gift Cards to Strike-Zone Fishing in Melbourne. Congrats to this week’s winner, Justin Winn of Cocoa — Justin, please email us within 7 days to claim your prize.

strike zone gift card giveaway

A new winner is drawn and announced in every weekly forecast. If you’re not already a subscriber, click here to enter the weekly giveaway!

GET SLAMMED

fsfa offshore slam We’ve got 20,000 reasons why you don’t want to miss the FSFA’s 51st Annual Offshore Tournament, and the $175 entry fee ain’t one — or, it doesn’t have to be, at least. We’re giving away TWO boat entries for the June 1 tournament THIS WEEK with $20k in guaranteed cash payouts up for grabs. To enter the random drawing, fill out the entry form below. Two winners will be announced in the weekly forecast next Tuesday.

FULL MOUNTY GIVEAWAY

The FULL MOUNTY giveaway is back! One winner will be randomly drawn on June 3rd, 2019, to win a 33″ full mount dolphin replica from Mount This Fish Company. Enter the contest below!

SeaTow Port Canaveral, FL

Fishing Reports

In every week’s Spacefish fishing report, we turn to both fishing pros and average joe’s for input on what’s happening in and around Brevard County’s many fisheries. Check out what people are saying about the bite in the Space Coast this week:

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR
Fish Firing Hard Ahead of Front
March 18, 2024

Fish Firing Hard Ahead of Front

snook

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

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR
March Offshore Fishing
March 18, 2024

March Offshore Fishing

march 2024 offshore port canaveral

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

cocoa ford

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR
Things Are Warming Up!
March 18, 2024

Things Are Warming Up!

snook

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
March 18, 2024

Good Numbers, Empty Beds

  • bass report
  • empty bass beds
  • headwaters bass fishing

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

BT's Welding - Custom Aluminum Products

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR
Find Your Spot and the Fish Will Come
March 18, 2024

Find Your Spot and the Fish Will Come

surf fishing report

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

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR
Great Weather, but Mixed Results Fishing
March 18, 2024

Great Weather, but Mixed Results Fishing

sebastian inlet park snook

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

Miley Marine Surveyors

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR
Pelican Holding Fish
March 18, 2024

Pelican Holding Fish

kingfish on pelican reef

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.

offshore sunrise marina

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

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR
Benefitting from Warmer Temps & Calm Winds
March 18, 2024

Benefitting from Warmer Temps & Calm Winds

sebastian snook

Snook for Fred on a DOA Cal Jerk Bait!

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.

tripletail sebastian

David Got a couple nice Tripletail he was able to sight fish and bring home for dinner!

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

Fiberglass Florida -- Rockledge store now open!

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR
Fort Pierce Inshore
March 18, 2024

Fort Pierce Inshore

jacks

Joe and Corvin show off one of their many double-ups on Jacks. They caught a great variety of bottom fish and gamefish on the three days we fished together!

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

Falcon Boats USA

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR
Great Fishing for Lane and Mangs
March 18, 2024

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

Jasin Youmans Dental - Melbourne, FL

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR
Good Bite Since Front
March 16, 2024

Good Bite Since Front

mangrove snapper

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

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR
Warmer Temps Turning Up the Bite
March 13, 2024

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

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TOURNEY CENTRAL

Florida fishing tournaments 2019

Spacefish will be covering many awesome tournaments this season, some brand new, others as old as time. The coolest thing is that there’s a tournament for everybody, regardless of skill level, boat ownership (or lack thereof), or fishing style. Whether you’re a gunner vying for a big pay day, or just a casual angler looking for some friendly competition, get ready to slap on the war paint to battle some fish and have some fun! Check out the full run of tourney events that we’re covering on our 2019 TOURNAMENT CENTRAL page.

NEXT UP
CFOA Offshore Tournament May 18
ON DECK
FSFA Offshore Slam May 31 – June 1

MORE UPCOMING TOURNEYS

FISHING CLUB MEETINGS

FSFA

The FSFA North Chapter meeting on May 28 at Brevard Veterans Center will feature Charlie Levine, who will be speaking on how to read sea surface temperature and chloorophyll charts. Charlie is a lifelong angler and is currently the editor and publisher of Fishtrack.com and buoyweather.com, as well as a contributing writer to several publications.

Central Florida Diesel Performance

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Check out what’s been caught on camera while fishing in around the Space Coast this week.

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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.

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Strike-Zone Fishing, Melbourne FL