Fishing Report
Reported by Capt. Sherrie Stovall on July 12, 2007
Offshore: With hot surface temperatures and flat seas, now is the time to cool off by hunting on the ocean floor. Diving can be a nice relief form the heat and higher fuel prices. Lobster season opens for a short 2-day mini season July 25th and 26th for 2007. Lobster must be at have at least a 3" carapace, and the limit is 12 per person for the short season. The Regular spiny lobster season is August 6 through March 31. The daily bag limit is 6 per person per day during that time. Don’t forget to purchase you Lobster stamp for $2.50 from the state to keep your limit. Every person must posses a stamp in order to harvest bugs (dive lingo for lobster) and a regular fishing license does not make your legal.
Now is the time to start checking your favorite numbers for some long legs and antennas poking out. The summer cold water currents have not moved in yet and the bottom temperatures are still warm. Look for the water to stay warm until the winds start blowing for the west. West winds are the summer time curse for thermoclines and make it hard to fish the bottom, but great to go diving. Many of the larger gray grouper have been stacking up along the shallow reefs around 70 ft. There is a plankton layer along the bottom and tons of small anchovy baits are present. Most of the snapper seem to be gorging themselves on that protein rich snack. Anglers are finding that the 70 ft. and 90 ft. reefs are barren of large baitfish and the bite seems slow due to the buffet of little baits below. Seems like you need to make that boat run early this month and check out the deeper ledges around 130 ft. - 240 ft. for better bottom action. Most of the mahi will be scattered along the offshore bars. Best bet for action will be live bait on the surface. If it is just too hot to stay still, put the dead baits out and start trolling. Look for the typical signs of grass patches and rips on the surface. Don’t be surprised if you get a few spies at your baits by a sailfish.
Sebatian Inlet: Inshore fishing heats up on the redfish. As summer time hits the crabs start to float out of the river and into the inlet. The redfish stack up in the chanel and go crazy on the crabs floating on the surface. The best time is after the current really gets moving out of the inlet.
River: Spotted sea trout have been very prolific along the lagoon flats. Shrimp on a cork and spoons are the easiest way to cover some ground and find the fish. The redfish are also roaming around looking for a free meal. Look to start fishing early in the mornings and later in the evenings to beat the heat.
Be sure to put your sunscreen on and to stay highdrated and cool in the heat!! Until next month……
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If you need information, or wish to book an Offshore Charter, please call us on 321-724-1440, or email us at: captstovall@whiteysonline.com
For more information contact;
Whitey's Bait & Tackle
321-724-1440
9030 S Highway A1a
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
www.whiteysonline.com/
