Summer Time Fishing
The hot summer weather has dictated and early start for summer sea trout. They are still hitting both live baits and artificials but the bite is over early. Recent trips on the Banana and Indian River have produced spotted sea trout up to about 22 inches. They have hit live shrimp and Rip Tide 3 inch Mullet. Fishing the live shrimp under a popping cork like the DOA Clacker is always a great tactic to keep your bait above the sea grass beds. With the warmer weather you can find the trout in deeper water, up to five feet in areas with good grass and sandy pot holes.
With a lot of cloudy days I have had some good success with the Rip Tide Mullet in the Shad Flash color. It is dark enough to give a good silhouette even with cloudy skies. A family of four, Dana, Lana, Troy, and Cara caught a variety of fish on the Banana River. Lana, the mom, won the day with a really nice 22 inch sea trout along with other smaller ones. Everyone caught fish, including sea trout and lady fish. Troy caught the surprise of the day with a nice sheepshead. With an eye to the sky with the summer thunderstorms building we got in our half-day trip without any problem, However, on the way home the clouds opened up and the rain came as it has almost everyday this week. Be careful on these hot summer days and try to be back at the dock before the thunderstorms hit.
The Indian River has also produced some fish this week. A family from California came over for a day of relaxation after hitting the Disney parks earlier in the week. Mom and Dad and the two young boys were ready to relax. The morning started off pretty quick with the boys Zach and Nick both picking up a couple of trout in our first fishing hole. Karen added two really nice trout on live shrimp on a popping cork. Mark added a few trout of his own and a lady fish that would go about 4 pounds. It was one of those lady fish that usually tangle someone else's line with their speedy runs. Our next spot produced numerous lady fish and Mark scored with the Rip Tide Mullet again. He tossed out a 3 inch Rip Tide Mullet in the Shad Flash color and brought back a nice 28 inch snook. This family was all catch and release so all the fish went back to be caught another day.
The pogies are still hit and miss on the beach and the king fishing has slowed down. On a recent two boat trip no pogies were found so we had to rely on artificials. The grand total was only 3 fish for both boats – a disappointing day. Hopefully this will change once this stationary weather front moves on off of us.
As always, you can visit my website at www.inshorefishingadventures.com to view pictures of the fish we catch in the Cocoa Beach area. That's what it's all about. Good fishin'.
Capt. Ron Presley
Phone 321-454-7285
presleyr@bellsouth.net