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pompano surf fishing

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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Surf Fishing Along the Space Coast

By Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters

Surf fishing along the Space Coast looks to remain strong with pompano, whiting, bluefish and flounder available on local area beaches. The sand renourishment projects will absolutely deteriorate the beach and surf fishing conditions, so make sure to stay clear of those “projects”. Additionally, the blacktip shark migration will be in full effect! So if chasing trophy sharks is in your wheelhouse then spring months have a lot to deliver.

Shark fishing Melbourne Beach

Pompano fishing looks to remain consistent if you can stay with the pockets of fish. As these fish charge back to the north we should get another shot at higher-quality pompano fishing. Although finding cleaner water will continue to hold the keys to success. Be sure to look for shades of blue and green waters with a translucent look when the waves roll through. Consequently, fish the edges of deep troughs and sandbars for the highest probability of finding a concentration of fish feeding.

Family Fun Surf Fishing

In addition to the pompano coming back through, we can celebrate the whiting bite that’s typically very good this time of year. Traditionally March and April have a phenomenal whiting bite of large bull whiting. This year has been on the slower side when compared to years past. Certainly, I’m looking for that to change for the better as we approach this spring fever and really get an opportunity for insane whiting bites.

The go-to rigging for pompano, bluefish, whiting and drum will remain the standard pompano rig with circle hooks, beads and floats. Using multiple color beads and floats is a sure fire bet to find the optimal color combination fish prefer that day or tide. Rig your pompano rigs with live sand fleas, cut shrimp, or clams for the best opportunity to catch pompano and whiting. With that being said if it’s bluefish you’re after then make sure to use chunks of fresh cut bait on the same pompano rigs with a heavier leader.

Surf Fishing Charters on the Space Coast

In conclusion, it looks to be an outstanding month of surf fishing from Port Canaveral and Cocoa Beach south to Sebastian Inlet. Spring marks one of my favorite times of year because of the diversity on tap. With everything from pompano to blacktip sharks to catching flounder on jigging rods it’s a fun time to fish the beach. Make sure to get out there and spend time on the beach and surf fishing with the family. If you want to book a beach fishing excursion, then please contact us online or directly at 321-205-4672.

Family Fun Fishing in Melbourne, FL

March 16, 2023
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Summer Space Coast Surf Fishing Report

By Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters

Currently, our surf fishing charters are catching whiting, pompano, catfish,  blacktip sharks, and jack crevalle with the occasional snook in the mix. The red slime that’s plagued our central east coast region stretches from Fort  Pierce to Cape Canaveral. This has definitely been the biggest factor impacting success of surf fishing anglers along the Space Coast. While many are deterred to battle with the slime there are fish available to catch for those determined few.

Space Coast Family Fun Fishing Charters

Whiting and pompano continue to show in spurts from Patrick Air Force  Base to Sebastian Inlet. Many of the pompano are undersize with a few keepers in the mix. The whiting are also relatively small compared to the bulls we get in the winter and spring. But with that being said, if you can put a catch together with a handful of whiting, croakers and one keeper pompano that’s a good day under the current conditions.

Fishbites, sandfleas and peeled shrimp have performed the best for the whiting, croakers and pompano. Pompano rigs with white and chartreuse floats have seemed to outperform the rest. Currently, the first and second trough have produced more exciting catches then beyond the sandbar. I  look for this trend to continue with the slime that’s taken over accompanied by the fact the bait fish are going to start pushing down the shoreline running in those inside waters.

Surf Fishing Charters Cocoa Beach Florida

Blast off with September surf fishing along the Space Coast. This time of year traditionally marks the beginning of the fall mullet run. Millions of  baitfish will be migrating down the shore lines and evading all the opportunistic predators along the way. Big snook and tarpon along with jack crevalle, bluefish, ladyfish and sharks will be a few of the species electrified by this phenomenon.

Melbourne Beach Surf Fishing

Surf fishing tactics may very from angler to angler depending on their experience and species targeting techniques. Live bait rigged with or without a weight is always a good choice when presenting to these nearshore water predators. Also using a fish finder rig or split shot can be effective in presenting your baits down in the strike zone if there’s high surf. Alternatively casting a diving plug, swim bait or bucktail along the first and second trough will ensure a high probability for success.

All in all it’s an exciting time of year to hit the beach for surf fishing. If we could see relief from the slime then that would make it that much better.

It’s challenging to fight through the slime and sargassum, but for those willing to put in the work rewards can be had. Whether your targeting whiting or pompano or catch and release sharks it’s all out there for the opportunistic and ambitious few. Good luck and have fun.

Snook Fishing Charters in Melbourne Beach

August 5, 2022
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Space Coast Surf Fishing

By Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters

June surf fishing typically holds trophy catches for those looking for large snook and tarpon. While summertime surf conditions create a perfect scenario for these predatory species to roam the beaches feeding on baitfish. June, July, and August are personally my favorite times of the year to target them with live bait and artificial lures. Included with snook and tarpon we’ll see great catches of whiting, croakers and pompano.

Summer Snook Fishing

With that being said the shark fishing will continue a great addition to anyone looking at hooking blacktip sharks as well. The name of the game during the summer months is to get out early or later when the temperatures aren’t scorching hot. These feeding periods will consist of snook and tarpon crashing baitfish in the first and second trough.

Shark Fishing Charters in Cocoa Beach

Live baitfish including mullet and croakers either freelined or rigged with a split shot generally see the most success. Although another great way of targeting snook or tarpon will be to enact the use of swim baits, bucktails or suspended plugs casting diagonally to the shore with a steady retrieve. It’s worth mentioning that large breeding snook along with tarpon should be handled with care and to emphasize a quick release with minimal exposure out of the water.

 

Pompano fishing this time of year usually doesn’t make the headlines but it’s worth noting that our resident pompano will be out in force. The key to having success will be those surf fishing anglers willing to seek out the clean water and runouts. Surf fishing near Melbourne Beach north to Cocoa Beach should have tight concentrations of fish throughout the Space Coast region.

Summer Space Coast Pompano Fishing

Pompano rigs with shrimp or clam flavored Fishbites combined with live sandfleas or fresh peeled shrimp will have the most fortune. By far the most active species during the summer months are whiting and croakers. At times the bite can make for nonstop action reeling one in after another, often with two on at once. A great way to repurpose the croakers are to rig them on a live bait rig with a fish finder setup on a one to two ounce sliding weight and recast in the first trough.

 

Beach fishing charters catching loads of whiting make for a great family fun experience and on top of that whiting make phenomenal table fare. Everyone that hits the shore looks like a fish taco to me. In conclusion look for the weeks and months ahead to consider heading to the beach for surf fishing fun. Diversified setups with pompano rigs and live bait rigs will have you covering all your bases for snook, tarpon, whiting, croakers and pompano.

Family Fun Surf Fishing Charters

If your feeling extra ambitious get a large chunked bait rigged up for the shark fishing scene that is sure to be a hit. Get out on the shore before work or after work to enjoy the height of this summer surf fishing season.

June 4, 2022
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Space Coast Surf Fishing Report

By Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters

pompano bag

Shore fishing charters didn’t disappoint while surf fishing the Space Coast last week. Pompano, whiting, bluefish, Jack crevalle and croakers galore kept the lines tight. The red slime that has infiltrated the coastline is much of a nuisance, as one could imagine, making it difficult at times to effectively fish a diversified setup of beach fishing equipment.

pompanos

Pompano fishing continues the spring run with catches coming in bunches of paired fish. Needless to say, most pompano were caught roaming the outer edges of the surf zone with the water color change. The outer surf zone on the sandbar or beyond also has less slime and seaweed. The size of the pompano caught diminished from the giants weeks prior, but still are healthily in the keeper range.

3 pomps

On certain days it seemed impossible to keep a line in the water long enough to catch the desired pompano or whiting. The croakers flooded every section of the water and could be caught two or three at once. It’s fun to catch something, but at times it absolutely becomes an annoying nuisance reeling them in and having to re-bait. The croakers also roamed in cohorts with bonnethead sharks and seemed to move in and then off the bite, relieving the flurries. Those were the times when the targeted species had an opportunity to find one’s bait.

flounder

Preferred baits for the prior weeks consisted of peeled shrimp, sand fleas and Fishbites. Although we’re still lacking the clusters of sand fleas our area is prone to, there are a few around. The mid-tide coming off high tide has worked best for finding live sand fleas. With that being said, our fishing charters are finding plenty of production with fresh shrimp and fishbites rigged solo by a pompano rig.

beach

Consistent with the season, shark fishing charters brought smiles all around last week. Blacktip sharks and lemon sharks made up the majority of catches. Fresh chunked bait deployed in the first and second trough made short work of the incredibly resilient sharks. Never ceasing to amaze one in the fierce battling capabilities with violent head shakes and blistering runs, these catch-and-release species truly do make for a catch of a lifetime. Be sure to get out and enjoy the surf fishing on hand as it’s a lively time of year to catch!

April 27, 2022
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Surf Fishing Reports for Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach and Sebastian Inlet

By Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters

Surf fishing reports for Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach and Sebastian Inlet held a similar trend to the prior week with inconsistencies on a daily basis. The water temperatures have plummeted and that has resulted in a varying bite for most shorebound anglers. Bluefish stood the test of time as they’re no stranger to the cooler water temps and continue to stand out on each beach fishing charter. With a heavy dose of bluefish relenting to influxes of pompano, whiting, black drum and sheepshead it’s been an up and down week for surf fishing the Space Coast.

Cocoa Beach Pompano Surf Fishing

When one can find an ideal weather window, I absolutely encourage you to get out and try your luck on local area beaches. The catches of large bull whiting are still happening fishing near Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral. Particularly this week, fresh cut clams along with peeled shrimp had an amazing catch rate. These two baits are always a great variation to the typical sand flea with Fishbites combo.

Pompano fishing the surf along Melbourne Beach and Indialantic also held slab fish. These fish continue to hold patterns where foods concentrate and then move right on when conditions deteriorate. Be sure to give yourself enough time to catch your chance at a passing group or fold it completely and move to another location if things never heat up. Combination pompano rigs with floats and beads rigged with electric chicken crab Fishbites and white clam worked particularly well.

Surf Fishing for Pompano on the Space Coast

As mentioned before, the bluefish continue their onslaught of persistence with a ferociousness that defines the species. Love ‘em or hate’ em they’re here for the action. Fresh chunked bait rigged with heavier leader on a pompano rig or just about anything will catch their attention currently. Fishing charter clients have had excellent success catching bluefish and other species close to the shore edge on a low and rising tide.

Space Coast Surf Fishing Charters

Finally we can always hang our hat on the shark fishing charters that are sure to show everyone a good time. Black tip sharks, Atlantic sharp nose and lemon sharks frequented the top species catches for the week. You can even peer out from the shore edge and see blacktips and spinner sharks acrobatically displaying for all free jumping past the breakers. If you’re ready to hit the beach with family and friends be sure to book a charter directly with us at cocoabeachsurffishingcharters.com or call for more information. ‘’Til next time, get out there and have fun.

Sebastian Inlet Shark Fishing

February 3, 2022
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Central Florida Winter Surf Fishing Report

By Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters

Winter weather fronts made it a roller coaster of a week for surf fishing in Central Florida. While it was difficult to maintain a consistent bite during the week, our clients were putting fish on the beach in spurts of action. Pompano, whiting, black drum and sharks rounded out the top species being caught. With the water temps cooling off, it looks like conditions should continue to offer great opportunities ahead of the passing fronts. Surf fishing near Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral offered up a great whiting bite along with pompano and black drum. Crab flavored Fishbites tipped with fresh peel shrimp or blanched sand fleas on a pompano rig did the trick. Most of the fish were caught on extremely long casts on a falling tide. Bluefish were also available close to shore with fresh chunked bait or casting lures.

Pompano Surf Fishing in Cocoa Beach

The pompano fishing in Melbourne Beach seemed to be the most consistent throughout the Space Coast region. Small schools created a flurry of bites within the duration of our charter fishing trips. Slower periods would ensue on a typical trip while we waited for passing fish to strike. Healthy slabs were beached when the bite fired and rarely were undersize fish seen. What a way to celebrate the winter in Florida by participating in a beautiful day fishing the beach.

Space Coast Surf Fishing Charters

Tablefare species like pompano and whiting were surely the target fish, but currently, there are opportunities for catching large black drum in our region. These fish frequent Brevard County water during the winter months and are sure to provide a fight of a lifetime. Black drums ranging upwards of 40 and 50 pounds are common during these migrational periods. Be sure to keep a keen eye out for dark-colored waters that could signify one of these schools. Cast anything from peeled shrimp, sand fleas or Fishbites to entice a bite from a massive black drum or cast buck tails and small jerk baits as well.

Surf Fishing for Whiting in Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters shark fishing trips haven’t lost any steam with a steady flow of black tip sharks, lemon sharks and Atlantic sharp noses perusing the surf. Fortunately, shark fishing in Melbourne Beach remained a top area to land these top predators included in the action with our targeted fish species. There looks to be no end in sight for this healthy fishery. As always, be sure to educate yourself on the proper techniques for clean catch and release. Include in your arsenal shark fishing rigs with less steel leader and high abrasion heavy duty mono to increase bites when the waters are particularly clean and calm. Good luck and have fun!

Shark Surf Fishing Charters in Cape Canaveral

January 27, 2022
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January Surf Fishing

By Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters

January surf fishing has always been one of my favorite times of year to hit the beach. Species like pompano, black drum, sheepshead, whiting, and mackerel are sure to make their presence known. Depending on the weather and water temperatures will dictate what kind of month it shapes up to be. This year we are having unusually warm extended periods so look for a cool down to get the water temperatures back down to get things fired off.

Trophy-sized black drum will be one of the species we chase on our beach fishing charters in the months of January and February. These fish can reach upwards of 40-60lbs and make for quite the tug of war battle fishing from the shore. Commonly caught while targeting pompano in the surf these big drum are sure to surprise you with a relentless determination to not want to give in. Pompano rigs with clams, fresh dead shrimp or sandfleas will be the ideal baits to hookup with the giant drum or the smaller puppy drum.

Pompano fishing looks to stay consistent as the water temperatures should keep schooling fish nearby as well as the residential Pompano.  These top-rated species are a favorite by far on our surf fishing charter where clients love to catch a delicious and hard-fighting fish. There’s nothing that gets the heart racing like seeing a large pompano bend the rod with a blitzing strike. Hopefully, the sandfleas return as they have been challenging to find this year as they continue to be one of my favorite baits for catching pompano in the surf.

Finally, during our surf fishing charters, we’ll rely on a predictable whiting bite that takes place consistently during the winter months. Most of the whiting can be upwards of 1lb this time of year and make for a really tasty fish fry. Use pompano rigs with beads and floats based on the conditions to dial in on the whiting. Fishbites hooked up with sandfleas and shrimp do extremely well for whiting fishing on the Space Coast. In between the pompano, whiting and drum the mackerel, sheepshead and blues will keep you steady reeling as this month tends to have lots of life in the water. So get out there and hit the beach to enjoy a cherished Florida winter sport that is surf fishing.

January 12, 2022
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Brevard County Florida Surf Fishing Report

By Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters

With another stellar weather week and productive surf fishing over a beautiful holiday break how can one complain. Surf fishing anglers here in Brevard County hit the beaches in numbers catching whiting, bluefish, mackerel, black drum and sharks. There was also the accidental mana ray hookup as they’ve been perusing the shoreline as well. Warm weather, calm seas and crystal clear skies produced epic beach days for family and friends to get out and try their luck at surf fishing.

Space Coast Family Fun Surf Fishing

While the pompano fishing here along the Space Coast has definitely taken a breather from the earlier part of December, they’re still out there and catches are happening. The only thing is you have to really invest the time and weed through the bycatch of small pompano and little jack crevalle as well. If you’re willing to dedicate the time and effort, the rewards could be a nice whole baked pompano for supper! Pompano rigs with live sand fleas, fresh cut shrimp, clams and Fishbites remain the ticket for bringing home these silver delicacies.

Surf Fishing Melbourne Florida

Bear in mind the ups and downs of the pompano fishery in our region now can be frustrating so it’s recommended to also engage in the other fisheries that are producing at a higher frequency. For example, the bluefish and mackerel bite continues to thrive. Simply look out at the waters from the shore and you can see life teeming and boiling on the surface especially at first light. Setup with fresh chunked bait cut in steaks, cubes or strips and cast into the schools. Steadily retrieve these dead baits or have them sit and soak with a green or orange float. You’ll be reeling ‘em in like nobody’s business, until the sun and heat that have a tendency to shut it down mid to late morning.

Sebastian Inlet Surf Fishing

Black drum, pompano and whiting continue to be caught in the dirtier waters in Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach and Patrick Space Force Base. Fishbites in the pink shrimp flavor and chartreuse clam have been the hot ticket over the previous week. Match those Fishbites with the above mentioned baits and fish a couple rods very close to shore and another couple as far out as you can cast. It may surprise you that a lot of black drum and other fish have been caught right at the shore edge, or very close to the beach, while some of the bigger roaming pompano are way out.

Pompano Fishing in Cocoa Beach

All in all it’s been a quite diversified week with catches scattered across the board for table fare fish or fish that didn’t make the measurements. Big and small have entertained us all but the Blacktip sharks continue to steal the show. Our beach shark fishing charters have had clients in pure disbelief with the rod bending, drag screaming adrenaline rush only these species can provide. Heck they’re even biting off fish hooked up to our pompano rigs so it’s a very sharky time out there currently. With all that being said, make sure to have the knowledge and confidence to handle these beautiful species with care. It’s too often we see unprepared anglers frolicking around wildly confused and disorganized, and it’s to the detriment of the shark. If you choose to partake in this fishery, put in the time to be properly prepared, organized and efficient. When these species are caught and released in a matter of seconds it ensures the best survival practices. Tight lines everyone! Book a trip easily online!

Melbourne Beach Shark Surf Fishing

January 4, 2022
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Family Fishing on the Space Coast

By Cocoa Beach Surf Fishing Charters

Family fishing charters have anglers of all ages embracing the holiday spirit with catches of pompano, whiting, bluefish, Spanish mackerel and sharks. Celebrating the gathering of friends and family with absolute pristine weather conditions had our clients looking to find surf fishing success on these beautiful December days. Each species had ups and downs with the daily rotation of the week, but the bluefish, mackerel and sharks stood out above the rest. Shark fishing trips produced great results of blacktip sharks on fresh chunked bait and some whole baits as well.

Surf Fishing in Cocoa Beach

The surf fishing near Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral continued to see more of the puppy black drum caught than many other regions in Brevard County. Also, larger pompano were caught in these same areas along with the whiting and bluefish. Shark fishing in these areas wasn’t as productive though as they were in the central and southern beaches. Depending on the day and your intended species, it was quite the crapshoot staying on top of a good bite in one location.

Kids fishing trips were an absolute blast this week, though, with nonstop action on bluefish, small jack crevalle and Spanish mackerel kept the kids reeling them in one after another. This bite remained red hot for the remainder of the week and fun was had by all who took part. Even when the pompano weren’t in full force like the weeks prior, these rod-bending and acrobatic bluefish and mackerel made up the ground for a fun time fishing. Green floats with chunked baits did the trick for the most part. And as usual, the Gotcha lures and spoons were utilized for select species.

Family Fun Surf Fishing Trips in Sebastian

With all the life boiling under the surface along the Brevard County beaches, it made for shark fishing charters to find optimal conditions. Bait definitely played a role as the sharks seemed to either want your live fish that was being retrieved on a pompano rig or a freshly cut chunked bait. With that being said, we caught lots of large sharks from the shore using entire fish carcasses for bait. So make sure you’re varying your methods as even these toothy predators seem to have specific preferences on a day-to-day basis.

Sheepshead Surf Fishing in Melbourne Beach

As for the premier target species of pompano and whiting, it seems to have dipped a bit for the week prior. Surf fishing anglers are still catching large keeper size pompano but just not seeing the numbers they were in the first two weeks of the month. Most fish caught had been enticed with live or blanched sand fleas or fresh clam on the standard pompano rig with the floats performing well. With the outlook for stellar weather and schools of pompano and whiting continue to move up and down the coast, it’s just a matter of putting yourself in the right position with the selected baits to see success. Enjoy the holiday break and hit the surf for family fun in the sun!

January 2, 2022
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