01-08-2003, 03:02 AM
[left][#312c98][size 5]Flats Report[/url] for the Banana River[/size][/#312c98][/left]
[#312c98]1/07/2003 Flats fishing report for the Titusville & Cocoa Beach area. By Capt Doug Blanton[/#312c98]
[#312c98]Redfish[/#312c98]
[#312c98]Sight fishing for reds has been on and off for the past few weeks. Last week the water warmed up in the mid 60's and the reds were tailing like mad. This week the water temp dropped back down in the low 50's and they all clamed up. There are still a few reds being caught but you have to work for them. Keep in mind though, as soon as the water temp gets above 65 I know we will be in for the ride of a lifetime. These fish will school up in schools up to 500+ and will inhale top water plugs and flies. Last year at this time we landed a nice 52 incher and put a few more in the 40 to 48 inch range. [/#312c98]
[#312c98]If you are looking for some great top water action give the [url "http://www.donraystudio.com/fishinglures.htm"][#0000ff]3 1/4" HighRoller™ in Florida Special or Blue Green[/#0000ff][/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"][#0000ff]Reel Magic[/#0000ff][/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"][#0000ff]rainbow trout[/#0000ff][/url][url "http://www.donraystudio.com/fishinglures.htm"][#0000ff] and black/gold/flk[/#0000ff][/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] [/center] [left][#312c98]Trout [/#312c98][/left]
[#312c98]Trout fishing has been a lot like redfish for the past few weeks. Slow one day and a little better the next. The good news is that most of the trout we have boated over the past few weeks have been in the 20 inch range and caught on top water. All of the trout we have caught have been in the mid to late afternoon and in 6 inches to 2 feet of water. The key has been to find the schools of bait and work them all. As spring draws closer the trout fishing will only get better from here on. I look forward to the water temperatures getting back up around 70. When it does we will be able to work the flats before first light casting top water for gator trout. I don't consider trout a gator until they get over 30 inches. There is no better sound than a top water plug being worked in the predawn light and hearing the sound of a big trout busting the surface. [/#312c98]
[#312c98]We have caught a few trout up to 20 inches on the [url "http://www.donraystudio.com/fishinglures.htm"][#0000ff]3 1/4 inch Florida Special Rip Roller[/#0000ff][/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]Grab your fly rods and get ready for a sour arm. The larger ladyfish have arrived. This past week I landed a 4 1/2 lbs lady on a #5. I fought it for 15 minutes before it let me take it off. We also caught a few up to 5 lbs on top water and more than we could count on grubs. [/#312c98]
[#312c98]For your best shot at these smaller cousin of the tarpon you need to be on the water at first light and head for the power plants. Sure the ladies are there most of the day, but the larger fish have been feeding best before 9am.[/#312c98]
[#312c98]When fishing the power plants keep in mind that the water is full of manatees. We had a group of over 40 around us the other day and had to pole a good ways before I could start the motor back up.[/#312c98]
[#312c98]Also, wile in these areas keep your eyes open for big reds. They have been known to come by from time to time looking for a little warm water themselves. [/#312c98]
[#312c98]For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug [url "http://www.indianriver.cc/fishing_trips.htm"][#800080]click here[/#800080][/url][/#312c98]
[#000080][size 5]Flats Report for Melbourne and Sebastian Area [/size][/#000080]
[#000080]1/05/03 report for Sebastian area flats by Capt. Terry[/#000080] [left][#000080][size 3]The past couple of weeks have been trying on the water. The flags that are flying have looked as if they were heavily starched most of the time. The winds have been relentless as some of the cold fronts have dipped the mercury into the high thirties and the high for the day only got into the mid to upper sixties. When these fronts move through the area finding protection is about all you can do to try to make a bite happen. Most of the better flats are too blown out to fish them. When we get a northerly wind that grinds down the lagoon as we have had the fishing becomes a chore and not as fun as it should be. There is a silver lining to this though. As the front pushes through and the days start to warm with calmer winds the fish get the urge to feed after a short time of hunkering down time. This is when it becomes fun again. It did just that on New Year's Day and the day after for me and a couple of clients. I fished an area that normally holds Snook, so we tried our luck to see if they were coming out to feed after the last two fronts that we had. It didn't take but a couple of casts with a 1/4 oz. gold spoon to feel and hear the drag start to scream. We boated several Snook and some big ladyfish all in the same area. The next day was an exact remake except that I threw a floating Rattle Trap in gold/black back pattern to take the linesiders. If you have ever Bass fished a trap and had fun try it on a Bass on steroids (Snook).
Speaking of Bass...The Stickmarsh is starting to show once again that it is one of the waters in the United States to catch trophy size Bass. As of this week several have been caught that were in the double digit weights. They are getting ready to spawn and are fat and happy. Live wild shiners are always a sure bet for a big fish but soft plastics will also keep the line stretched as well. This is where braided line comes in handy as the place is full of stumps and hydrilla.
Hope to see you on the water,
Capt.Terry Lamielle[/size][/#000080][/left]
[#312c98]For more information on fishing with Capt. Terry [url "EasyDays/easydays.htm"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url] [/#312c98]
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[#312c98]1/07/2003 Flats fishing report for the Titusville & Cocoa Beach area. By Capt Doug Blanton[/#312c98]
[#312c98]Redfish[/#312c98]
[#312c98]Sight fishing for reds has been on and off for the past few weeks. Last week the water warmed up in the mid 60's and the reds were tailing like mad. This week the water temp dropped back down in the low 50's and they all clamed up. There are still a few reds being caught but you have to work for them. Keep in mind though, as soon as the water temp gets above 65 I know we will be in for the ride of a lifetime. These fish will school up in schools up to 500+ and will inhale top water plugs and flies. Last year at this time we landed a nice 52 incher and put a few more in the 40 to 48 inch range. [/#312c98]
[#312c98]If you are looking for some great top water action give the [url "http://www.donraystudio.com/fishinglures.htm"][#0000ff]3 1/4" HighRoller™ in Florida Special or Blue Green[/#0000ff][/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"][#0000ff]Reel Magic[/#0000ff][/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"][#0000ff]rainbow trout[/#0000ff][/url][url "http://www.donraystudio.com/fishinglures.htm"][#0000ff] and black/gold/flk[/#0000ff][/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] [/center] [left][#312c98]Trout [/#312c98][/left]
[#312c98]Trout fishing has been a lot like redfish for the past few weeks. Slow one day and a little better the next. The good news is that most of the trout we have boated over the past few weeks have been in the 20 inch range and caught on top water. All of the trout we have caught have been in the mid to late afternoon and in 6 inches to 2 feet of water. The key has been to find the schools of bait and work them all. As spring draws closer the trout fishing will only get better from here on. I look forward to the water temperatures getting back up around 70. When it does we will be able to work the flats before first light casting top water for gator trout. I don't consider trout a gator until they get over 30 inches. There is no better sound than a top water plug being worked in the predawn light and hearing the sound of a big trout busting the surface. [/#312c98]
[#312c98]We have caught a few trout up to 20 inches on the [url "http://www.donraystudio.com/fishinglures.htm"][#0000ff]3 1/4 inch Florida Special Rip Roller[/#0000ff][/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]Grab your fly rods and get ready for a sour arm. The larger ladyfish have arrived. This past week I landed a 4 1/2 lbs lady on a #5. I fought it for 15 minutes before it let me take it off. We also caught a few up to 5 lbs on top water and more than we could count on grubs. [/#312c98]
[#312c98]For your best shot at these smaller cousin of the tarpon you need to be on the water at first light and head for the power plants. Sure the ladies are there most of the day, but the larger fish have been feeding best before 9am.[/#312c98]
[#312c98]When fishing the power plants keep in mind that the water is full of manatees. We had a group of over 40 around us the other day and had to pole a good ways before I could start the motor back up.[/#312c98]
[#312c98]Also, wile in these areas keep your eyes open for big reds. They have been known to come by from time to time looking for a little warm water themselves. [/#312c98]
[#312c98]For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug [url "http://www.indianriver.cc/fishing_trips.htm"][#800080]click here[/#800080][/url][/#312c98]
[#000080][size 5]Flats Report for Melbourne and Sebastian Area [/size][/#000080]
[#000080]1/05/03 report for Sebastian area flats by Capt. Terry[/#000080] [left][#000080][size 3]The past couple of weeks have been trying on the water. The flags that are flying have looked as if they were heavily starched most of the time. The winds have been relentless as some of the cold fronts have dipped the mercury into the high thirties and the high for the day only got into the mid to upper sixties. When these fronts move through the area finding protection is about all you can do to try to make a bite happen. Most of the better flats are too blown out to fish them. When we get a northerly wind that grinds down the lagoon as we have had the fishing becomes a chore and not as fun as it should be. There is a silver lining to this though. As the front pushes through and the days start to warm with calmer winds the fish get the urge to feed after a short time of hunkering down time. This is when it becomes fun again. It did just that on New Year's Day and the day after for me and a couple of clients. I fished an area that normally holds Snook, so we tried our luck to see if they were coming out to feed after the last two fronts that we had. It didn't take but a couple of casts with a 1/4 oz. gold spoon to feel and hear the drag start to scream. We boated several Snook and some big ladyfish all in the same area. The next day was an exact remake except that I threw a floating Rattle Trap in gold/black back pattern to take the linesiders. If you have ever Bass fished a trap and had fun try it on a Bass on steroids (Snook).
Speaking of Bass...The Stickmarsh is starting to show once again that it is one of the waters in the United States to catch trophy size Bass. As of this week several have been caught that were in the double digit weights. They are getting ready to spawn and are fat and happy. Live wild shiners are always a sure bet for a big fish but soft plastics will also keep the line stretched as well. This is where braided line comes in handy as the place is full of stumps and hydrilla.
Hope to see you on the water,
Capt.Terry Lamielle[/size][/#000080][/left]
[#312c98]For more information on fishing with Capt. Terry [url "EasyDays/easydays.htm"][#0000ff]click here[/#0000ff][/url] [/#312c98]
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