Whiteys Fishing Report
Febuary 2010
Put another log on the fire and sit back for this months fishing report. Due to all the recent freezing temperatures throughout most of Florida the fish are the ones hit the hardest. In early January several nights of freezing 30-degree weather, dropped the water temperature so low in the river that a large population of fish died. Many of the local species like tarpon, snook, mangrove snapper, sheepshead, ladyfish and catfish have washed up along the waters edge in the past weeks. With major fish kills of this proportion it will take some time for the numbers to rebound. The FWC has taken some action to eliminate some of the pressure off snook, tarpon and bonefish populations by banning the harvest for several months. With snook season set to open Feb 1, you will now have to hold off harvesting a snook till the fall season, Sept 1, 2010.
The fishing around Sebastian Inlet has been producing some good numbers of black drum, bluefish, pompano and whiting. The black drum are sucking up the live clams and ranging an average of 5-8 lbs, with a few fish over 15lbs. If the water cleans up along the beaches the pompano will make a run by the jetties. The whiting have been on the south side and in great numbers with the occasional pompano mixed in. Blues are everywhere and if you want to try your luck with them try casting silver spoons on outgoing tides. They are a fun fight and are great on the smoker.
Seatrout didn’t take a huge hit in the cold weather, so it might be a good time to break out the trout rods and sharpen the trebles on your Johnny Rattlers. Expect fish to be on the flats in the warmer afternoons around the potholes. A bonus redfish might pop up now and then since they are another species that took the cold well. Live baits like shrimp and mullet make a great choice for drifting over a productive flat.
Offshore has been good for king fishing when the seas allow. Most of the kings are scattered from the Bethel ledges north up to the Port. This time of year expect a few cobia to come over and take a look around the boat. Always keep a rod handy with a pitch jig or live bait to cast when they pop up. Recently a legal 33-inch cobia was caught inside Sebastian Inlet by the cleaning table on the south side. A few fish now and then come from the jetties, but inside the back of the inlet!!!! Who knows what to expect this month. Also keep a strong eye out for the manta rays swimming on the surface, they will usually have a cobia or two swimming below. There has been good reports of wahoo over the cones, try high speeding your favorite lead head lure and see if the striped fish makes it to your frying pan. You never know maybe a gaffer dolphin might make it to your skillet too.
Like always check in at Whitey’s for the latest reports and updates, until next time stay warm and tight lines!!!!!!!!!!
With the Grouper and Snapper closures starting this month it is going to be a tough couple of months for offshore bottom fisherman. Staring January 1st all shallow water species of Grouper will be closed until April 30th. Snapper closures will begin on the fourth of January till the second of June. More regulations will be coming during the 180 day closure while federal fishery managers come up with a long term management goal.
Whitey's Bait & Tackle
321-724-1440
9030 S Highway A1a
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
captstovall@whiteysonline.com
www.whiteysonline.com/
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