Florida Surf Fishing Report, Central East Coast, May 2020
Florida surf fishing along the central east coast has provided plentiful opportunities for the beach fishing anglers prepared for multiple scenarios. The weather patterns have provided an abundance of calm days and clean water. These ideal conditions make it suitable for individuals and families to do things outside on the Florida beaches. This time of year truly has an amazing assortment of catch options beach fishing in central Florida. Targeting the Atlantic Ocean waters from Cocoa Beach to Sebastian Inlet gives fisherman the chance to land a 200 pound tarpon, snook, sharks, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, pompano, or whiting.
Shore fishing the beaches from Melbourne Beach to Sebastian Inlet has provided a red hot bite for Spanish Mackerel and bluefish. How to catch Spanish Mackerel and bluefish effectively in the Florida surf requires fishing with smaller spinning rods 7-8 feet in length and reels in the 2000 to 4000 series range. Rig light tackle fishing set-ups with 10-20 braided line attached to a two-foot piece of 20-40lb fluorocarbon leader. The lighter the leader generally leads to more strikes, but at the expense of lost tackle due to the toothy predatory fish at hand. Using Gotcha lures and silver spoons retrieved rapidly have provided the best results for beach fishing near Sebastian Inlet.
Surf fishing charters in Brevard County utilizing live baits have resulted in great catches of snook, tarpon, and flounder. The annual bait migration of pogies and thread fin herring is underway. In other words, large predatory fish will be taking advantage of the all-you-can-eat buffet line. Beach fishing Snook and Flounder in Cocoa Beach, Fl south to Sebastian Inlet is best utilized with a live mullet, pogie, or thread fin. Rigged on a fish finder rig cast in the nearest deepwater trough closest to the shore. Learn how-to catch a tarpon in Florida by exercising the benefits of a free-lined mullet allowing the bait to swim weightless into the outer surf zone where the tarpon can be seen crashing schools of baitfish. Use large capacity reels ranging from 6000-9000 series with heavy braided line and a 60-80 fluorocarbon leader. Our surf fishing trips in central Florida provide ample gear to stand any chance against these leaping and charging acrobats.
While the widely recognized snook and tarpon are beginning to make appearances regularly in the Florida surf, the recent cool weather has dropped ocean temperatures to keep the pompano around a bit longer. However, best bites have been at dusk and dawn on the first few hours of a falling tide. Fishbites (sandflea flavor), clams, shrimp, and live sand fleas have been producing consistent results of Florida pompano and whiting.
Surf fishing can be a fantastic opportunity to get out and make memories especially during these social distancing times. Make sure to give us a call or book online to learn to surf fish Florida like a pro or take a family fun fishing excursion charter on our local beaches.
Catch, Clean, and Cook
Florida Surf Fishing Setting
Family Fun Fishing
