Reported by Capt. Sherrie Stovall on August 1, 2007
Offshore: The thermoclines keep moving in and out. They are not staying for long. The last week has been pretty warm on bottom and steaming hot on the surface. Fishing is some what slow with the occasional kingfish or dolphin. Lots of schoolie dolphin have been in the 60-90 ft. depths. Larry Brillant and Roger Cordu hooked a monster dolphin tipping the scales at 51 lbs. offshore in 230 ft of water.
The king mackerel are staying in 90ft on the offshore bars and on out to 130ft. Floating live baits out on the surface this time of year is an awesome sight to see. The water is dead flat calm and the kings will sometimes become airborne on the strike. Live baits have been hard to come by. There are plenty of small tiny anchovies and sardines, but the larger baits may require more effort to find. Large bait pods have been just offshore the inlet and should not be overlooked before heading offshore. Schools of greenies have been right outside the inlet and south along the beach. A late report said there was some bait starting to show up at Bethel buoy.
Many divers found it hard to get a limit during sportsman season. Some found many females with eggs and others never saw many bugs at all. Lets hope that they move in during the split. Visability offshore was spotty. The beach was dirty due to the swell being up. The shallow 40, 50 and 70 ft reefs were anywhere from 15-30 ft. vis. The deeper bars 90 & 100ft. seemed to hold more lobster, but the vis was 10ft at best. There was a heavy nutrient layer also. Over all most of the water on bottom was still warm. Looks like we can keep those hoods in the bag for a few more weeks.
Sebatian Inlet: Crabs are floating out of the river on the outgoing tides and the redfish and a few permit are chewing hard. Several snook are partaking in the feast too. Also look for some action out on the tips of the jetty's. Large schools of glass minnows are casting dark spots on the water surface and many fish are feeding just below. Tarpon, reds and the occasional shark will slice through the bait pods and take in a mouth full.
The mangrove snapper are very active along the deeper cuts. Mojarras and shrimp seem to be the number one bait. Use a light leader, maybe even fluorocarbon to out smart them. Several mutton snapper are mixed in with the mangroves and make for a nice surprise on the hook. Just ask Tom Wehner form Sebastian who managed to land a 6.5 lb. Mutton Snapper on the North Jetty last weekend.
Surf: Large schools of bait are moving along the beaches and holding some huge tarpon and several kingfish. The tarpon are somewhat boat shy, so make a slow approach and get ready. The fish seem to be ranging anywhere from 50-80+ lbs. They are feeding on pogies, glass minnows, greenies and silver mullet. It almost looks like the mullet run-Early! I doubt it. We need to wait until Sept. or things will be really messed up.
The kingfish and tarpon are great opportunities for the land-based angler too. Several smoker kings have been landed from the surf using live pogies. Larry Star of Indialantic hooked and landed a 20lb. kingfish using a live pogy as bait. Keep a look out for the bait pods in the surf and snag some live bait or try top water plugs for some action.
Several small pompanos and permit have been caught on cut shrimp and clam. Last week in Floridana Bch. one local caught 6 nice keeper pompano. Looks like he was in the right place at the right time. Others are catching one or two fish that are 10-12 inches.
River: The redfish have been seen laying around the grass flats and along docks in the lagoon. The heat of the day will defenialty work against you, so try to fish early in the morining and late evenings.
Trout catches are good along the flats early morning on top waters. Look for double digit catches but small fish. The bite is early is over by 9-10am.
Visit our new Whitey's Photo Album site for loads of pictures new and old.
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
Whitey's Bait & Tackle
321-724-1440
9030 S Highway A1a
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
www.whiteysonline.com/
Offshore: The thermoclines keep moving in and out. They are not staying for long. The last week has been pretty warm on bottom and steaming hot on the surface. Fishing is some what slow with the occasional kingfish or dolphin. Lots of schoolie dolphin have been in the 60-90 ft. depths. Larry Brillant and Roger Cordu hooked a monster dolphin tipping the scales at 51 lbs. offshore in 230 ft of water.
The king mackerel are staying in 90ft on the offshore bars and on out to 130ft. Floating live baits out on the surface this time of year is an awesome sight to see. The water is dead flat calm and the kings will sometimes become airborne on the strike. Live baits have been hard to come by. There are plenty of small tiny anchovies and sardines, but the larger baits may require more effort to find. Large bait pods have been just offshore the inlet and should not be overlooked before heading offshore. Schools of greenies have been right outside the inlet and south along the beach. A late report said there was some bait starting to show up at Bethel buoy.
Many divers found it hard to get a limit during sportsman season. Some found many females with eggs and others never saw many bugs at all. Lets hope that they move in during the split. Visability offshore was spotty. The beach was dirty due to the swell being up. The shallow 40, 50 and 70 ft reefs were anywhere from 15-30 ft. vis. The deeper bars 90 & 100ft. seemed to hold more lobster, but the vis was 10ft at best. There was a heavy nutrient layer also. Over all most of the water on bottom was still warm. Looks like we can keep those hoods in the bag for a few more weeks.
Sebatian Inlet: Crabs are floating out of the river on the outgoing tides and the redfish and a few permit are chewing hard. Several snook are partaking in the feast too. Also look for some action out on the tips of the jetty's. Large schools of glass minnows are casting dark spots on the water surface and many fish are feeding just below. Tarpon, reds and the occasional shark will slice through the bait pods and take in a mouth full.
The mangrove snapper are very active along the deeper cuts. Mojarras and shrimp seem to be the number one bait. Use a light leader, maybe even fluorocarbon to out smart them. Several mutton snapper are mixed in with the mangroves and make for a nice surprise on the hook. Just ask Tom Wehner form Sebastian who managed to land a 6.5 lb. Mutton Snapper on the North Jetty last weekend.
Surf: Large schools of bait are moving along the beaches and holding some huge tarpon and several kingfish. The tarpon are somewhat boat shy, so make a slow approach and get ready. The fish seem to be ranging anywhere from 50-80+ lbs. They are feeding on pogies, glass minnows, greenies and silver mullet. It almost looks like the mullet run-Early! I doubt it. We need to wait until Sept. or things will be really messed up.
The kingfish and tarpon are great opportunities for the land-based angler too. Several smoker kings have been landed from the surf using live pogies. Larry Star of Indialantic hooked and landed a 20lb. kingfish using a live pogy as bait. Keep a look out for the bait pods in the surf and snag some live bait or try top water plugs for some action.
Several small pompanos and permit have been caught on cut shrimp and clam. Last week in Floridana Bch. one local caught 6 nice keeper pompano. Looks like he was in the right place at the right time. Others are catching one or two fish that are 10-12 inches.
River: The redfish have been seen laying around the grass flats and along docks in the lagoon. The heat of the day will defenialty work against you, so try to fish early in the morining and late evenings.
Trout catches are good along the flats early morning on top waters. Look for double digit catches but small fish. The bite is early is over by 9-10am.
Visit our new Whitey's Photo Album site for loads of pictures new and old.
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
Whitey's Bait & Tackle
321-724-1440
9030 S Highway A1a
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
www.whiteysonline.com/
