Fineline Fishing Charters weekend fishing 4-cast by Capt. Jim Ross
DAYTONA BEACH PONCE INLET
DAYTONA BEACH-OFFSHORE-Small dolphin are striking trolled baits in the 150 to 250-foot depths this week. Look for weed lines and other floating objects that will attract baitfish and in turn hold dolphin nearby. Wahoo, blackfin tuna and sailfish are other possible catches for anglers working these features with skirted ballyhoo
or live offerings. Gag grouper and amberjack are hitting live andwhole dead baits on the wrecks and reefs in the 160 to 250-foot depths. Williamson vertical jigs will also work for anglers willingto give them a try.
DAYTONA BEACH & MOSQUITO LAGOON INSHORE-The action has slowed on the near-shore and inlet water this week. Most of the captains that I've spoken with say that there is not as much bait in this
area as there was last week. With the upcoming weekend cool front that is being predicted to pass through on Saturday, we may see this change rapidly either during the pre-frontal or post-front time periods. Where good schools of baitfish are found along the beaches and inshore waters anglers should expect shark, tarpon, jack, ladyfish, bluefish, and other predators to be found close by. When a feeding frenzy occurs, anglers should be able to land multiple
species in just a short time period if using live mullet or lures like the Rapala X-Rap that imitate them.
COCOA BEACH EAST ORLANDO PORT CANAVERAL
COCOA BEACH OFFSHORE-It's been a fairly slow week offshore of the port so far but anglers are finding better numbers of king mackerel on the 70 to 90-foot reefs as the week has progressed. Other good options include sea witch/strip combos in pink/white or red/black color combinations. Lipped diving plugs can also be effective at times with the Rapala CD-14 or CD-18 models leading the list of
popular plugs to drag over these structures during the dawn and dusk periods.
COCOA BEACH INSHORE-A variety of shark species plus bonito, tarpon, and even a few king mackerel can be found along the near-shore waters from the shuttle pad southward to the tip of the cape or between the cocoa Beach and Melbourne Beach areas. Anglers should rig live baits like pogies, mullet, or pilchards on a VMC 7385
circle hook and 60 to 80 pound test leader. Bluefish, ladyfish, spanish mackerel and other species are also possible when fishing near pods of baitfish along these area beaches. Inshore the flats of all three lagoons have been producing redfish, trout, and even a few black drum. The drum are becoming much harder to find in recent weeks because of the heavy commercial netting pressure
that they are receiving in the north Indian River. this is where commercial harvesters have taken thousands of pounds of black drum out of the river in recent weeks.
Until next time...Catch a Memory!!!!
CAPTAIN JIM ROSS 321-636-3728
www.finelinefishingcharters.com
