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

Oct. 10-12

EC

PONCE INLET

OFFSHORE-Dolphin, sailfish and a few blackfin tuna should be hitting trolled ballyhoo and small cedar plugs in the 150 to 200-foot depths. Farther offshore wahoo are possible for anglers high speed trolling lures such as Yo-Zuri bonitos and Braid speedsters. Bottom fishing for red and mangrove snapper and various grouper species has been hit or miss. If you find an area holding good numbers of these species work them over thoroughly.

INSHORE-The inlet is still a best bet for a good variety of hard fighting fish. Cut or live mullet or lures imitating them have been accounting for snook, over-sized redfish, bluefish, jack, shark and more. The area bridges are still holding snook and tarpon mainly for anglers fishing dusk through dawn periods. In the backwaters and creeks redfish ladyfish trout and others are hitting small lures or live finger mullet. Live shrimp are also accounting for decent numbers of these fish plus a few nice sized founder as well.

PORT CANAVERAL

OFFSHORE-King mackerel and small dolphin are working the area reefs from Chris Bensen southward to Pelican Flats. Live mullet slow trolled along these reefs are your best bait choice. A few cobia are being caught by anglers fishing on the wrecks in the 50 to 120-foot depths. Once the sun reaching it mid day point cobia are also being "site" fished as they cruise along the surface of the water. Large jigs or plugs cast to these fish are working well. Farther offshore blackfin tuna are holding near anchored shrimp boats and sailfish can be seen free jumping in the 150 to 180 foot depths on many days.

INSHORE-Slot sized redfish and trout are seeking calm areas protected from the wind. Live finger-sized mullet or top water plugs are accounting for many of these fish. In dirty water areas top water plugs or soft plastic 5 inch Assassin style soft plastic jerk baits are producing well. White, gizzard shad, and space guppy colors have been working best for many anglers this week. The over-sized spawning redfish are absolutely out of control this week. Huge schools containing 300 to 600 fish are blasting mullet schools they encounter as they make their way up and down the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon area flats. On Thursday my clients hooked fourteen of these huge reds landing nine. They measured between 38 and 44 inches in length. The action took place over a two and a half hour period and the fish hit Rapala Skitterwalk and X-Walk 13 sized plugs. White, or silver patterns are working best at this time.

SEBASTIAN INLET

OFFSHORE-Snapper and grouper catches are starting to get better over this past week. Live baits worked on the reefs and wrecks in the 70 to 150-foot depths are working best. A few sailfish, small dolphin and king mackerel are striking trolled ballyhoo on the 90 to 180 foot reefs, wrecks, and color changes.

INSHORE-Snook, black drum, and over sized redfish are all good possibilities for anglers fishing from the north jetty this week. Snook, jack, trout, and an occasional juvenile tarpon are hitting live finger mullet or shrimp under floats along mangrove covered shorelines south of the inlet.

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