East Central Florida Forecast
March 17, 2023
By Capt. Jim Ross
Capt. Jim Ross discusses fishing from Tomoka Basin to Sebastian Inlet, including Daytona Beach, Titusville, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa and Melbourne
March 17 - 19
REGIONAL OFFSHORE Predicted winds from a strong frontal boundary will have seas building upwards of 8 feet over the first portion of the week. Once these subside, look for cobia, lane snapper, triggerfish and mangrove snapper to be feeding on the reefs and wrecks in the 90- to 150-foot depths. Amberjack may be possible on the deeper structures from about 160 to 250 feet of water. Live or cut baitfish like pogies, pilchards, threadfin herring or Spanish sardines will be the best baits to target these species with. Trolling action for species like blackfin tuna, wahoo and dolphin should start to get better over the next few weeks. Trolled ballyhoo or mullet will get these fish to strike. Those that are high-speed trolling will be able to get fish on lures. Black and green, blue or red usually work well for both the tuna and wahoo.
REGIONAL INSHORE Black drum should be one of the more reliable species in the lagoons and along the beaches and inlets this week. Cut crab, live shrimp and Fishbite chunks in the crab flavor will all work when the fish are aggressive. Look for them near hard structures like docks, piers, jetty rocks and oyster bars. Snook, redfish (which cannot be harvested south of the highway 44 bridge in New Smyrna) and speckled trout are holding in shallows near mullet pods and in areas with grass starting to sprout. Soft plastic jerk baits, swim baits and small sea shad tails will get the bite from most of these fish. If not, then try a fat live shrimp free-lined in front of their noses and they should jump right on your offering.
For additional fishing information, don't forget to check out the weekly audio podcast from Florida Sportsman.
Until next week... catch a memory!!
Capt. Jim Ross www.FinelineFishingCharters.com
