Skip to main content
Fishing Reports

Fishing Report

By May 12, 2012No Comments

Orlando, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach area fishing report by Captain Jim Ross of Fineline Fishing Charters

Folks, what can I say? If you have not been on a fishing charter in the Orlando, Daytona, or Cocoa Beach area this spring, then you have missed out on some of the best shallow water fishing action for redfish and trout that I’ve seen in many years. The Indian River Lagoon flats and backwaters that I’ve been taking my charter fishing clients to most frequently in recent weeks are located about 45 minutes due East of Orlando. In particular the fishing for speckled trout while using top water plugs has been excellent in the Indian River. My Fineline Fishing Charter clients coming from Daytona and Cocoa Beach are enjoying the top water bite as well. Fishing for speckled trout is a lot of fun for the kids too. The action is usually fairly steady, and they get to do a lot of casting and retrieving of their lures. This seems to keep them focused on the fishing. Dolphin, and manatees are also showing up in abundance in the three lagoons located east of Orlando. So the sight seeing near Orlando is just as good as the fishing on most trips. The dolphin south of the Daytona area have been especially friendly and will hang around the boat on most days.

Redfish catches are improving in the Mosquito Lagoon located south of the Daytona area, and in the Banana River Lagoon bordering the resort town of Cocoa Beach. The redfish are hitting top water plugs like the Rapala Skitterwalk, and soft plastic jerk baits including the Saltwater Assassin 5-inch shad rigged on a weedless hook similar to how you would hook a bass fishing worm if fishing one of the Orlando area lakes. The summer months will bring good numbers of jack, shark, tarpon, and king mackerel to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean offshore of Cocoa Beach. Some of the tarpon are true giants running into the 150-pound range. Anglers staying in the Kissimmee or Disney areas near Orlando that want to go fishing for these truly amazing creatures have an easy 50 to 55 minute ride to get to the launch ramp located in the Cocoa Beach area. Please explore my Fineline Fishing Charters web site and if you’re coming to the Orlando, Daytona, or Cocoa Beach area to go fishing you can reserve your charter fishing trip on my reservations page.

I’m looking forward to getting you out on the water to Catch your next memory!