Tomoka Basin to Sebastian Inlet
Includes Daytona Beach, Titusville, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa and Melbourne

Nov. 14-17

EC

Remember speckled trout are out of season until the first of the year.

PONCE INLET

OFFSHORE-When boaters can get out look for bottom fishing to be best on the 180 to 280-foot reefs. Snapper, grouper, amberjack and porgies are all available at this time. Live pinfish, grunts or sardines are the better bait fish for the first three species, try cut squid or cut sardines for the porgie. Trollers should be able to find scattered dolphin, blackfin tuna (especially near anchored shrimp boats) and possibly some 30 plus pound wahoo in the 150 to 300-foot depths. Weed lines, rips, and other flotsam should be thoroughly investigated.

INSHORE-Black drum, redfish, mangrove snapper and others are hitting live and cut finger mullet and shrimp along many of the oyster bars and rocky areas of the river. Dock pilings near the inlet and bridge pilings are other good areas to try for these fish. Snook, reds, jack and bluefish are feeding on live 4 to 7 inch mullet at the inlet.

PORT CANAVERAL

OFFSHORE-King mackerel and dolphin are hitting trolled ballyhoo and live mullet. The kings are best in the 90 to 120-foot depths while the dolphin are best in the 130 to 180-foot depths. Most of these fish are averaging 8 to 16-pounds. Sailfish, blackfin tuna and a few wahoo are feeding in the 160 to 260-foot range. Bottom fishing on the 27 fathom ridge or the Cones has been very good when anglers can get out. Scamp, porgie, snapper, grouper and amberjack are all good possibilities on these two reefs.

INSHORE-A "walk-the-dog" style top water plug is the main lure anglers targeting redfish in the Indian, Banana and Mosquito Lagoons during morning periods this week. Most anglers are having to slow their presentations down considerably though. Slot sized redfish are hitting cut mullet well on most days after the morning top water bite slows. Look for many of the redfish to be holding in areas where mullet schools have the water churned up. This dirty water allows the reds to hide from their prey (mainly finger mullet) more easily. Bright colored 4-6 inch soft plastic jerk baits rigged weedless have also been working in these dirtier areas. Good color choices are "space guppy", "alewife", "pearl white", "gizzard shad", and "silver mullet". Where trout and reds are holding in cleaner water try "rootbeer", "avocado w/red glitter", "gold pepper shiner" or "native shiner" colors.

SEBASTIAN INLET

OFFSHORE-When boaters can get out they can expect sailfish, dolphin, blackfin tuna and king mackerel to be the main species chasing their trolled ballyhoo. Look for weed lines, color changes and temperature breaks outside of the 90-foot mark to hold the best numbers of fish. King mackerel will also hit live mullet, sardines, and other small baitfish slow trolled on the 70 to 90-foot reefs.

INSHORE-A good variety of species can be taken from the north jetty. Black drum, pompano, and whiting are hitting cut clam and shrimp in the pocket. Redfish, snook, bluefish, jack and ladyfish are also hitting here but are chasing live finger mullet or fast moving mullet style lures and jigs. A few spanish mackerel are also being caught by angler tossing spoons, jigs, and gotcha plugs. Flounder to 5 pounds are hitting finger mullet, mud minnows, and shrimp inside of the inlet. They should be a best bet through the thanksgiving day weekend.

Until next week...Catch a memory!!!

Captain Jim Ross Florida Sportsman Magazine Live Radio Host Saturdays from 8 to 9 am on WWBC 1510 am. Fineline Fishing Charters-Catch a memory! www.finelinefishingcharters.com or (321)-636-3728 Indian River Fishing Academy Instructor www.irfac.com

By Capt. Jimmy Ross| www.captainjimross.com | captjimross@cfl.rr.com | 321-636-3728