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

July 3-6

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!

PONCE INLET

OFFSHORE-King mackerel, crevalle jack, and tarpon are following baitfish pods in the 25 to 50-foot depths. Live baitfish slow trolled or drifted along in these depths by anglers are accounting for fair numbers. Wrecks in the 50 to 80-foot ranges and reefs in the 70 to 90-foot depths are also holding king mackerel. Dolphin action is almost non-existent.

INSHORE-Tarpon are holding at the various bridges throughout this area. Live or cut ladyfish, mullet, and pinfish are working best mainly on outgoing tides. Catch and release snook fishing at the inlet has slowed this week but should get better during evening periods as we near the full moon phase. If anglers can find a few blades of sea grass that haven’t been buzzed by a flats boat in the “world famous” Mosquito Lagoon, they may get a shot at one of the wily and elusive redfish that are believed to live there. Live pigfish, pinfish and shrimp are reported to be on the redfish’s diet according to old timers on the lagoon, but eye witness reports are contradicting these ridiculous claims. (Yes, many of the recent reports I’ve gotten from other captains are saying that the bite isn’t “on” right now. Hopefully it will change as we near the next full moon phase)

PORT CANAVERAL

OFFSHORE-King mackerel are hitting live and dead sardines and pogies slow trolled or drifted over 8A and Pelican flats reefs this week. A few red snapper are coming from the 21 fathom ridge. Mangrove snapper are hitting cut and live offering on the 65 to 120 foot reefs and wrecks. Tarpon to 150 pounds, king mackerel to 30 pounds, and plenty of jack, shark, barracuda and bonito are available for anglers working the near shore waters with live menhaden, mullet or greenies. Free swimming tripletail to 10 pounds are being caught on live shrimp. Most of these fish are holding along the color change just offshore of the beach from the tip of the Cape southward to Satellite Beach.

INSHORE-Redfish catches are slow due to the hot water temperatures. Ladyfish, trout, and gaff top catfish are on a feeding frenzy in the Banana River. Look for birds diving or baitfish getting busted in the 5 to 8-foot depths in the middle sections of the river. I’ve had my clients throwing small jig, top water plugs or spoons with excellent success. These types of lures shouldn’t be refused when cast into the melee.

SEBASTIAN INLET

OFFSHORE-Mackerel catches are fair on the 60 to 90-foot reefs this week. Live sardines, greenies (threadfin hearing), and mullet will be good live baits to slow troll over these areas. Mangrove snapper catches are getting better on the 40 to 90-foot wrecks. Red snapper catches are best in the 80 to 140-foot depths.

INSHORE-Catch and release fishing for snook and over sized redfish remain good at the inlet on outgoing tides. Mangrove snapper have started to show up around the jetty rocks up for anglers looking for something they can invite home for dinner. A few slot sized trout and redfish are hitting top water plugs early in the morning on the east side flats in the river north of the inlet.

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

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