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Brittney Novalsky

Cocoa Beach Fishing Charters

By Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters

Florida family fun charters experienced exceptional weather during the last couple of weeks. With this exceptional weather came great fishing for families and kids on the beaches of the Space Coast. Catching pompano, whiting, bluefish and sharks! Spring break means kids are out of school but the fish are definitely schooling with large migrations of fish and shark species feeding off the beaches in Central Florida. Take a look at the full report below to see what we’ve been catching and how to get in on the action!

Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Report

 

Shore fishing the beaches of Cocoa Beach, Florida brought with it healthy competition from spring break beachgoers. Not to worry as the fish didn’t seem to mind. Pompano catches were enjoyed throughout the week with most fish being caught on the first and second trough near the shore. This is due in part to the concentration of bait including glass minnows and sand fleas being present in these waters. Whiting, black drum and bluefish also made their appearances regularly. Fishing a standard pompano rig tipped with Fishbites and fresh sand fleas or shrimp worked the best for targeting the above mentioned species.

Black drum in the Central Florida surf

Family Fun Fishing Excursions In Cocoa Beach

This is where surf fishing from the shore really shines the brightest! Kids love fishing from the shore of the beach. Firstly, there’s so much to do on the beach that kids are able to stay engaged throughout the fishing trip. Which means kids get to reel in lots of different species of fish and shark. Furthermore they get to learn the biology of each species and get pictures with the coolest species of fish they’ve ever caught in the ocean. But that’s not all. In between bites kids love to play on the beach and build sand castles, frolic in the water and collect shells. Family fishing excursions from the beach are the absolute best way to take kids fishing when visiting Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral.

Shark Fishing Charters – Port Canaveral, Cocoa Beach and Melbourne

Shark fishing charters remain red hot throughout the spring months on the Space Coast! Annual migrations of blacktip sharks along with sandbar sharks, sharpnose sharks, bonnet heads and lemon sharks continue to feast on the abundance of food in local waters. Shark fishing charters continue to produce big catches with blacktip sharks ranging from 4-7 feet in length. In addition, blacktip sharks display aerial acrobatics similar to tarpon and marlin. Leaping from the water effortlessly while contorting their bodies in a series of twists attempting to dislodge the hook. Shark hooks for shark fishing from the beach are regulated and maintain the requirements of meeting the necessary guidelines. Shark hooks must be non-offset steel circle hooks, and have the accompanying heavy tackle needed to land sharks fast in order to maintain a healthy survival rate. Book a shark fishing charter today!

Pompano Fishing Melbourne Beach, Florida

The word gets out fast when discussing pompano catches on the coastline of Florida. To be precise it’s lightning fast with the scores of Facebook forums and social media posts. In light of this, pompano can be relatively tricky to keep tabs on. For these reasons, Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters routinely stays on the pompano bite by fishing daily. Compound this with a network of talented fishermen and this helps keep the odds titled in one’s favor.

The last two weeks we experienced the greatest pompano fishing around the high tide mark. Furthermore, the pompano preferred less floats and beads than they typically require. This may have contributed to the calm water conditions and exceptional water clarity. Make sure to downsize rigs when these conditions persist. Also keep in mind these fish can be targeted 5 yards from the beach, and as far out as 100 yards from the shore. Knowing this it becomes imperative to fish the many different bottom contours to cross check and confirm you’re not overcasting these prime species.

Pompano Fishing in Florida

 

Recreational limit of Florida pompano

Surf Fishing Charters Port Canaveral

As for the Port Canaveral surf fishing report we experienced a blitz of pompano in the first week of March. Surf fishing for pompano with live sand fleas produced the highest number of catches. Additionally, whiting and black drum were caught intermittently between the pompano catches. Surf fishing at Port Canaveral means you need to have the proper equipment to access the outside sandbar. This simple fact alone is of the utmost importance. This is in part due to the shallow waters in the northern stretches of Brevard County. The beaches in Port Canaveral and Cocoa Beach are shallow for a long way out as compared to the southern beaches. This factor alone highlights why it’s so important to get far casts on multiple rods.

March 18, 2024
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March Surf Fishing Report Melbourne Beach & Cocoa Beach

By Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters

Spring surf fishing on the Space Coast equates to big catches of  pompano, whiting, flounder and sharks. Melbourne beach surf fishing for  pompano continues to pickup as they infiltrate local area waters. Pompano will be making their way back north for the summer time. Cocoa  beach fishing tours produced whiting on the inside trough or second  trough as they peruse the surf for crustaceans. In addition, we’ll see  flounder fishing firing up as they ambush bait in the first trough near Patrick Air Force Base south to Sebastian Inlet. Furthermore the shark  fishing charters near Cocoa Beach is in full swing! For this interested in these catching strong acrobatic species from the beach, March and April  are great months.

Pompano Fishing Florida

Pompano on a parade, as we circle back to the spring run which can  provide great spurts of schooling fish. Melbourne beach surf fishing  reports are showing fish in this region along with Cape Canaveral. The key  to finding and staying on these schools of pompano will directly relate to  water temperature and clarity. With that being said pompano prefer water  temps ranging from 66-74 degrees. Not only do they prefer specific water  temps, but water clarity holds the key for getting on the bite. Shades of  green and blue, Caribean sea colors, make for the most probable scenario.

Surf Fishing for Pompano Cocoa Beach

Best Family Beach Fishing Trips

Catching pompano in the surf can be tricky for most anglers, regardless of  their experience. Pompano are simply one touch species because of their  patterns to move and cover so much ground. There one day and gone the

next! “Should of been here yesterday,” pompano stories are enough to drive one crazy. With that being said we are here to inform and guide you to pompano success. If you’re still not having the pompano fortune you desire, simply read these articles and/or contact us to book a trip or  lesson.

Space Coast Family Fun Fishing Charters

Best Beach Fishing Rigs For Pompano

Fishing for the much desired pompano will indirectly lead to decent bycatches of whiting, black drum and bluefish without the predetermined

effort. Pompano rigs with chartreuse floats and pearl colored beads make  a great combination in the spring! In addition, Fishbites electric chicken  crab scent is highly recommended in tipping your pompano rigs. The combination of Fishbites paired with live sand fleas, fresh shrimp and  clams will produce the knockout punch you’re looking for.

Catch Flounder In The Surf

Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters is ramping up for the spring flounder  run. The flounder run kicks off in the spring months from March through  May. Using artificial lures such as swim baits, buck tails and diving plugs  produce ocean roaming flounder year after year. The excitement of casting  lures with light to medium action rods make for a fun and exciting surf fishing adventure. Consider working artificial lures or live baits close to the shore in the first and second trough in order to target these camouflage  ambush predators. With that being said, you can’t catch them at home, so  hit the surf during this pristine time of year!

Cocoa Beach Shark Fishing Trips

Guided Beach Fishing Charters in Melbourne Beach

March 9, 2024
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Space Coast Surf Fishing Report

By Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters

Big fish mayhem for the months of July and August. The highly anticipated summer snook fishery from the beach hasn’t disappointed. Giant snook continue to be caught with various rigs and styles from the shore of our Space Coast beaches. Furthermore the consistency of the pompano bite has been another pleasant surprise.

Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters continues to catch mid to large keeper size pompano on each trip out. Due to the water clarity allowing for more opportunities has led to a flourishing surf fishery in these summer months. In addition we’re beginning to see more and more crustaceans and bait sources along the surf zone. This directly results in the prized predatory fish such as pompano, black drum and snook being caught with consistency.

Not to mention the whiting bite continues to contribute to overall catch bags for the day. All in all it’s been a great month to fish and looks encouraging moving forward. With the fall mullet run right around the corner the expectations for fish flurries persist. Soon enough we’ll have tarpon and snook going acrobatic in the surf zone.

The top baits for pompano and whiting have been live sand fleas. Additionally the chartreuse float pompano rigs with clam and crab flavored Fishbites are the top choices for synthetic baits. Fish pompano rigs in the first and second trough as well as outside the sandbar. Clear water, rip currents and cuts produce the best catches.

Looking forward to September and the presence of mullet will be topping the radar. There isn’t a more exciting time to fish then the transition to the fall mullet run. As these baitfish began to appear there will be a plethora of opportunities on tap. Free lining live mullet or croakers in the first trough is a sure fire way for fast action. Snook, jack crevalle and tarpon will be using these thorough fares to pounce on disoriented baitfish in the wash. Get out and have some fun these next few weeks!!

August 14, 2023
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Giants In July! Surf Fishing Space Coast

By Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters

Space Coast surf fishing in the heat of the summer isn’t for everyone. But for those that do embrace the summer sunshine, what better place then surf fish at the beach. July holds the reputation for giants on the beach. Big fish in the way of snook, tarpon and sharks will be on hand for late June into July.

But that’s not all that will be available these next few weeks. Look for residential pompano to be found when conditions present themselves. As the seaweed settles and the water clarity improves. That will kickstart the pompano fishing in the areas with clean water, runouts and troughs. Chartreuse and orange float  pompano rigs with Fishbites and fresh tipped bait.

Family Fun Surf Fishing

Not to mention the croakers will be in full force as the typical summer ensues. Atlantic croakers make good table fare for those who like to pan sear fish. In addition making a good meal these croakers can be repurposed as live bait for predatory species. Big snook love croakers fished in the first and second trough. Furthermore tarpon are a willing candidate for these snack sized love baits. A simple split shot or free lining croakers can result in trophy fish during the summertime.

Surf Fishing Excursions Cocoa Beach

Knowing the weather heats up quick means you should prepare accordingly. Get out early and home early. First light and last light along with tide changes are the best windows of time to fish. Remember you can always throw lures with great results as well.

Surf Fishing for Snook Cocoa Beach

Head up for an hour or two with nothing more than a casting rod and a few lures. Light and mobile is the name of the game. Make sure to cover territory until you find pockets of life you’re searching for. Diving birds, crashing fish, and pogies will be the top clues depicting these areas. Keep moving and casting without hesitation until you position yourself in these lively pockets.

Baitfish mean predatory fish equals high shark activity as well. Be prepared to have some of your catches grabbed up by the taxman in the gray suit. Heavy drag and proper leaders will ensure your not wasting time and increasing the likelihood of losing your catch. Know this means if your in the game of targeting sharks June and July make a good opportunity. Croakers, mullet and cut bait are the recommended choices for shark fishing anglers.

Surf Fishing for Sharks

In summary, we’ll continue to fish through the seaweed plagued beaches. Dreaming of better conditions on the horizon. With the confidence and understanding that the fish will be there, but what kind of challenge will the conditions hold. A few weeks of calm waters should get the water cleaned up and ready for the top month of big snook beach fishing. Until then there are opportunities available, but it’s been challenging conditions to say the least. Good luck and enjoy the world class surf fishing on the Space Coast.

Shark Fishing Charters in Melbourne, FL

June 5, 2023
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Summertime Beach Fishing In Florida

By Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters

First and foremost it looks like the dreaded seaweed masses have arrived on local beaches. Fishing the beach in areas from Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach, Melbourne Beach and Sebastian Inlet are being affected. Based on the offshore waters and reports from recreational boat fisherman, there’s a whole lot more on the way. Don’t be too discourage by this daunting task though. Below we’ll give you some tips and ideas to make the best of what the current surf fishing conditions hold.

Beach Pompano Fishing In the Summer

As mentioned in previous reports and forecasts, there are residential pompano that stay in local waters year round. These pompano can be targeted year round, including summertime on Florida’s Space Coast. The key to finding these fish will be water clarity and depth changes. Use the calm days when the ocean has clarity to identify areas where there’s troughs and runouts. In addition, target these areas with pompano rigs, Fishbites and fresh bait. Shrimp, sandfleas and clam are ideal options when tipping your pompano rig.

Surf Fishing Conditions: Seaweed

The seaweed that was forecasted to arrive has finally made a big push. Meaning surf fishing conditions look to be extremely difficult for the foreseeable future. South of Sebastian Inlet will have opportunities at times when you really want to get a line wet. The seaweed conditions won’t be for the faint of heart. Despite that, relentless effort, cleaning lines and re-rigging will be what’s in store for those willing.

Snook fishing is another option that heats up in the summer months. Surf fishing in Brevard county has world class snook fishing from June through September. Albeit the challenges presented by the seaweed will be enough to deter most. High tide generally holds better opportunities for a break in the seaweed and snook fishing the first trough. Live bait including mullet, croakers, and pinfish fished with or without a weight are extremely productive.

Shark Fishing Space Coast

Depending on the presence of bait and predatory fish, one can expect the shark fishing to be outstanding these next couple months. Early mornings and evening time when the temperatures cool will have a large effect. Chunked bait and live bait make for a recipe for success. Use shark casting rigs with the ability to target the second trough and beyond. Furthermore don’t be surprised if your snook rod gets a bite from sharks patrolling the first trough.

May 30, 2023
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Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Excursions

By Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters
Surf fishing anglers along the central east coast are enjoying great fishing in May. Making for a pleasant surprise because the major concentrations of anticipated seaweed are having little effect. Furthermore, the water clarity provided optimal conditions certain days, resulting in excellent catches. Pompano, whiting, bluefish, black drum and Blacktip sharks made the highlight reel for species.

Surf Fishing Charters in Cocoa Beach and Melbourne Beach

May Surf Fishing Forecast – Space Coast

Moving through the month of May, surf fishing anglers can expect similar results if conditions persist. Summertime surf fishing depends on many factors, including seaweed, trade winds and water clarity. Contingent on the record size seaweed formation that’s moving through the Caribbean. The effects of wind and current will dictate the impact on local Space Coast Beaches. With that being said, at this point in time it’s looking encouraging for the summer surf fishing season.

Surf Fishing Melbourne Beach

Summer Pompano Fishing

Look for residential and migratory pompano to continue frequenting Space Coast beaches. These areas include Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach and Indiatlantic. Finding optimal water clarity will continue to be the key factor in finding pompano in the surf. Pompano rigs with chartreuse floats and Fishbites tipped with fresh shrimp, sandfleas or clams will be the go to combination. In addition be sure to fish runouts, troughs and outside the sandbar to maximize these opportunities.

Space Coast Family Fun Surf Fishing

Summer Beach Snook Fishing – Space Coast

Snook fishing looks to continue to heat up as we lead into the warmer months along the Central East Coast region. Live bait fishing and artificial lures worked in the first and second trough produce the best results. Fish the tide changes as well as first and last light for best results. In addition, be sure your live bait presentation is up to par. Meaning use less weight in calmer surf conditions and pitch baits just outside the first trough.
Work live mullet, croakers or pin fish through the trough all the way through to the shoreline. Oftentimes snook along with other predatory fish
use these depth changes to ambush bait. Countless times I’ve caught snook right at my feet just before resetting and casting back out. Knowing this will lead you to not pulling the bait out to early as there maybe a hungry snook chasing your bait in to the shore.

Space Coast Surf Fishing for Snook

Shark Fishing Space Coast Beaches

If your in pursuit of sharks then summertime will satisfy your appetite. Blacktip sharks along with lemon sharks and sandbar sharks become very active with warmer water. Fresh chunked baits as well as live surf caught fish are the key to success. Rig your baits on heavy duty leaders with 80lb braid mainline to ensure you get your catch in to the shore. There’s nothing like an acrobatic Blacktip peeling off drag and putting on a show. Be sure to have your shore fishing shark permit in hand for all shark fishing fisheries from the shore. The can be obtained free of charge through the FWC website. Have a great time pursuing your catches and tight lines!!

Cocoa Beach Shark Fishing Excursions

May 17, 2023
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