Surf Fishing Report for Cocoa Beach
The fishing report for Cocoa Beach to Sebastian Inlet has taken a turn for the worse. Contradictory to the conditions that were celebrated through the first half of July, conditions have diminished dramatically due to compounding factors of wind, water clarity and seaweed. The seaweed issue makes it nearly impossible to get fish on the line efficiently. Surf fishing with wind, waves and other obstacles can be overcome with various rigging and persistence. Bottom line, the seaweed makes it difficult to keep a line wet, but not impossible.
Pompano fishing has fallen way off due to the conditions mentioned above. On a positive note, we are still catching them sporadically on a daily basis while running beach fishing charters. The welcoming sight of a symbolic pompano strike excites all parties, including beachwalkers! Lots of undersized pompano continue to be caught. Oversize keeper pompano will be mixed in the same areas, just keep fishing through the shorts.
Surf Fishing for Pompano
Surf Fishing with Live Bait
Live sand fleas continue to be accessible on the entire Brevard County shorelines. Take your sand flea rake on a falling tide for best results. Look for the V-shaped ripples in the wash zone to depict a group. Approach cautiously, as they are sensitive to pressure. Dig into the sand on the oceanside end of the school and let the retreating waves wash them into your rake. Catching live bait increases your catch tremendously. Combine live sand fleas with Fishbites in the shrimp and crab flavor for best results.
Tips on Surf Fishing for Snook
Snook fishing has fallen off as well only because of the mats of seaweed and dirty water in the trough. Once again, they’re there but be prepared for unruly conditions dragging in mats of weeds on every cast. If you have the time and the patience, don’t be discouraged, but understand that’s what it’s going to take during these times. Deploy a live croaker where the edges of the beach fall off. Walk with your bait and the current direction to increase time of effective presentation. Dead sticking in the rod holders will diminish the bottom time on baits with the debris collecting more rapidly. Lures will be difficult to retrieve in the trough as well, recommend live bait tactics.
Tropical storms and hurricanes will dictate surf fishing conditions over the coming months. Take every opportunity to get out there regardless. When the conditions are prime, make sure to go earlier, often and fish longer. Inevitably, this time of year will consist of extended periods of sustained wind and waves. So make a plan to keep a pulse on the conditions for favorable opportunities. Snook, pompano, whiting and croaker will continue to be caught inconsistently until the water clarity and seaweed retreat. Look for a window of light winds and calm currents to settle the ocean and give us something better to work with. Challenging times, but so worth the thrill of the prize!
Check back every week for the latest surf fishing report for Cocoa Beach!
