12-10-2002, 12:42 AM
[#312c98]12/09/2002 Flats fishing report for the Titusville & Cocoa Beach area. By Capt Doug Blanton[/#312c98]
[#312c98]Sight fishing has been a little slow for the past few weeks on the flats. Most of the reds and trout move into deeper water and get a bad case of lock jaw. Now for the good news. On days when the sun is shinning and the water temp gets above 65 look for small schools feeding in the sanding holes in 1 to 3 feet. The water on the flats warms up a bit faster than the outer drop-offs. This is also the time of year when the water clears up and begins to look like spring water. There are pros and cons to this. The fish are a lot easer to spot from further away but just as you can see them, they can see you. [/#312c98]
[#312c98]Redfish[/#312c98]
[#312c98]Redfishing has moved into its winter pattern a little early this year. That means if you are looking for slot sized fish sleep in a little and hit the water after the sun has had a chance to warm the water up some. It is hard to tell what these fish are going to want to eat from day to day. Some days they are on a hard feed and will inhale top water plugs. The next you have to drag soft plastics and let them find the bait. [/#312c98]
[#312c98]If you are looking for some great top water action give the [url "http://www.donraystudio.com/fishinglures.htm"][#800080]3 1/4" HighRoller™ in Florida Special or Blue Green[/#800080][/url] a shot. I know I am always talking about the Rip Roller, but the High Roller has a softer presentation and has a walk the dog action like no other. This lure is also one of the smoothest casting lures I have ever used. [/#312c98]
[#312c98]On the soft plastic days try slowly working one of [/#312c98][#312c98]Cotee's [url "http://www.donraystudio.com/fishinglures.htm"][#800080]Reel Magic[/#800080][/url] rigged with a 5/0 [url "http://http://www.eangler.com/eangler/proshop/productdetail.asp?prod%5Fid=2508&"][#0000ff]Daiichi Bleeding Copperhead Hook[/#0000ff][/url] just in front on them. This time of year I have my best luck on the [url "http://www.donraystudio.com/fishinglures.htm"][#800080]rainbow trout[/#800080][/url][url "http://www.donraystudio.com/fishinglures.htm"][#800080] and black/gold/flk[/#800080][/url] Let the fish find the bait! When the reds become a little lethargic you will get a lot more hookups by letting them think they found dinner without having to work for it. [/#312c98] [center][img]http://www.indianriver.cc/doug's/pic's/hook.gif[/img][/center] [center][#312c98][url "http://http://www.eangler.com/eangler/proshop/productdetail.asp?prod%5Fid=2508&"][#0000ff]Daiichi Bleeding Copperhead Hook[/#0000ff][/url] [/#312c98][/center] [left][#312c98]Trout [/#312c98][/left]
[#312c98]Trout fishing has been slow for the past few weeks. We have been able to find a few nice fish, but most have been caught in 10 to 20 feet on the drop-offs on [/#312c98][#312c98]Cotee jigs[/#312c98][#312c98]. The color has been different every day. [/#312c98]
[#312c98]We have caught a few trout up to 20 inches on the [url "http://www.donraystudio.com/fishinglures.htm"][#800080]3 1/4 inch Florida Special Rip Roller[/#800080][/url]. on the flats latter in the day. When the water is as clear as it is now your best bet will be to blind cast the schools of bait. Remember to wear sky colored clothing because trout will see you long before you see them. Also try to keep all movement and noise to a minimum. [/#312c98]
[#312c98]Everything else[/#312c98]
[#312c98]Now that the water is in the 60's there is a lot going on. Ladyfish in the 12 to 30 inch range are busting everything. If you love non stop action on top water this is your time. Remember, these fish are a smaller cousin to the tarpon and when fished with light tackle you will see why we call them "poor mans tarpon". If you want to catch these fish on top water I recommend taking all the hooks off your lure and replacing them with a single 2/0 or 3/0 hook. This is going to cause less damage to the fish and let you spen more time catching.[/#312c98]
[#312c98]If you are looking to test your skill or even learn how to catch fish on fly, this is a must. Over the past few years more and more people are doing what a few of us have been telling them for years, take your 5# . I recommend not using your best fly's. I use bright colored bonefish fly's. The hook is in the tail of the fly and a little easer to get out. [/#312c98]
[#312c98]Besides ladyfish, there are also a good number of Blues, jacks, flounder, Spanish Mackerel, and a few pompano being caught in the port. Just because the water is cold doesn't mean the fishing has to be. So, grab a rod and a friend or loved one and go catching. [/#312c98]
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