Space Coast Weekly Fishing Report

 

 

With 72 miles of coastline, an estuary system that runs the length of the county and lots of freshwater to explore, Brevard County has some of the most diverse opportunities to catch fish in the state of Florida.

Each week we will bring you reports from local professionals as well as folks that just enjoy being out on the water. Look for updates every Friday for the upcoming weekend and into the following week.

If you have a photo of you or a family member holding the catch of your life feel free to post it on the Destination Brevard Facebook Page. Let everyone know how your latest fishing adventure went.

We are going to start listing our local captains that help us out with their weekly fishing reports so that you can contact them when it is time for you to hit the water. Let's start with Captain Glyn Austin of Going Coastal Charters. Thanks for the report Captain Glyn!

Fishing forecast for February 2nd - 8th

Weather Outlook- Temperatures will be in the mid to upper 70's throughout this forecast and the chance for rain or thunderstorms increases by the weekend.

** Snook Season is open!!!***

North Brevard

Your best bet is to find the reds and trout that will move out of deeper water onto the shallows as the sun warms up the water. With above average temperatures likely all week we could see a bunch of fish caught that have been in hiding the last couple weeks.

Try your luck along the barge canal as fish seem to always be moving through there.

Central Brevard

With the surf picking up due to the onshore winds it could be interesting if you're fishing from the beach. Those that do get out could find pompano biting at least until the water gets too dirty for these tasty fish. There are always whiting roaming the surf and a few good sized ones will make dinner a real treat. Tie on a piece of clam or a shrimp for a shot at dinner.

If you are able to scoop up some sandfleas thne by all means tie one on since there are not many fish cruising the beaches that can pass them by. Catching sandfleas is a great way to spend some time with your kids by the way.

Drifting a live shrimp under a popping cork near just about any dock or seawall in the Indian or Banana Rivers will be a good way to grab an Indian River Lagoon Slam (a redfish, a snook and a trout).

South Brevard

The big news of course is that snook season is open. Some slot sized fish have been caught at The Inlet and if they are hungry the action can get intense.

There are still flounder being caught and really it's a toss up when fishing at Sebastian lately. One dya the bite will be on and then tomorrow the fish could be giving you the old underwater finger! Persistance pays off when fishing The Inlet.

Look for trout on the flats pretty much anywhere in the Indian River.

Offshore

The winds will be picking up out of the east and it could get a little rough out there and wiht the chance for eain or thunderstorms picking up you should keep an eye to the sky if you are heading offshore.

Cobia (if you can spot the manta rays they are hanging with) and kingfish are your best bets this week.

Freshwater

Look for bass to come out of the deep water as the sun comes up and a live shiner tossed near some structure should get you some action.

The crappie bit has picked up along the St. Johns and you should have no trouble loading up on "Specks" if you toss small beetlespins near structure.

The shad catches have been picking up along portions of the St. Johns too.

Species/ Minimum Size Limits/ Closed Season/ Daliy Recreational Bag Limits/ Notes

Amberjack, Greater- 28" fork Atlantic; 30" fork Gulf/ no closed season in the Atlantic/ 1 per harvester per day.

Billfish- Sailfish 63"; Blue Marlin 99"; White Marlin 66"/ no season in the Atlantic/ 1 per harvester per day aggregate bag limit/ Measured tip of lower jaw to fork. All landed fish must be reported to NOAA within 24 hours 800-894-5528 or hmspermits.noaa.gov. HMS permit required in federal waters.

Black Drum- Not less than 14" or more than 24"/ no closed season in the Atlantic/ May possess one over 24". Snatching prohibited.

Bluefish- 12" fork/ no closed season in the Atlantic/ 10 per harvester per day.

Cobia- 33" fork/ no closed season in the Atlantic/ 1 per harvester or 6 per vessel per day, whichever is less/ To sell or exceed the daily bag limit follow commercial regulations.

Dolphin- 20" fork/ no closed season in the Atlantic/ 10 per harvester per day, not to exceed 60 per vessel per day/ To sell or exceed the daily bag limit follow commercial regulations.

Flounder- 12"/ no closed season in the Atlantic/ 10 per harvester per day/ May be harvested by spearing. Snatching prohibited.

Gag Grouper- 24" Atlantic/ Closed Atlantic & Monroe County Jan. 1–April 30/ 1 per harvester per day Atlantic/ No more than 1 fish may be Gag or Black Grouper, either individually or in combination in Atlantic. Included within the 3 per harvester per day Grouper aggregate bag limit. Zero daily bag and possession limit for captain & crew on for-hire vessels.

Grouper, Black- 24” Atlantic/ Closed Atlantic & Monroe County Jan. 1–April 30/ 1 per harvester per day Atlantic/ No more than 1 fish may be Gag or Black Grouper, either individually or in combination in Atlantic. Included within the 3 per harvester per day Grouper aggregate bag limit. Zero daily bag and possession limit for captain & crew on for-hire vessels.

Grouper, Red- 20" Atlantic/ Closed Atlantic & Monroe County Jan. 1–April 30/ 3 per harvester per day Atlantic/ Included within the 3 per harvester per day Grouper aggregate bag limit. Zero daily bag and possession limit for captain & crew on for-hire vessels.

Mackerel, King- 24" fork/ no closed season in the Atlantic/ 2 per harvester per day/ Bag limit reduced to 1 in some state waters when federal waters are closed to all harvest. Check www.MyFWC.com/Fishing for most current regulations prior to fishing.

Mackerel, Spanish- 12" fork/ no closed season in the Atlantic/ 15 per harvester per day/ Transfer of Spanish Mackerel to other vessels at sea is prohibited.

Permit- Not less than 11" or more than 22" fork/ no closed season in Brevard County/ ; 2 per harvester per day/ May possess 1 over 22" fork length.

Pompano, Florida- 11" fork/ no closed season in the Atlantic, 6 per harvester per day

Red Drum (Redfish)- Not less than 18" or more than 27"/ no closed season in the Atlantic/ 1 per harvester per day

Sea Bass, Black- 12" Atlantic/ no closed season in the Atlantic/ 15 per harvester per day

Shark- 54" fork for all sharks except Atlantic sharpnose, blacknose, blacktip, bonnethead, finetooth and smooth dogfish/ no closed season for permited species/ 1 per harvester or 2 per vessel per day, whichever is less/ Hook and line gear only. PROHIBITED SPECIES It is unlawful to harvest, possess, land, purchase, sell, or exchange the following species: Atlantic Angel Shark, Basking Shark, Bigeye Sand Tiger Shark, Bigeye Sixgill Shark, Bigeye Thresher Shark, Bignose Shark, Caribbean Reef Shark, Caribbean Sharpnose Shark, Dusky Shark, Galapagos Shark, Lemon Shark, Longfin Mako Shark, Narrowtooth Shark, Night Shark, Silky Shark, Sand Tiger Shark, Sandbar Shark, Sevengill Shark, Sixgill Shark, Smalltail Shark, Spiny Dogfish, Whale Shark, or White Shark.

Sheepshead- 12"/ no closed season in the Atlantic/ 15 per harvester per day/ Snatching prohibited.

Snapper, Gray (Mangrove)- 10"/ no closed season in the Atlantic/ 5 per harvester per day/ Included within 10 per harvester per day Snapper aggregate bag limit.

Snapper, Lane- 10"/ no closed season in the Atlantic/ Included within 10 per harvester per day Snapper aggregate bag limit Atlantic.

Snapper, Mutton- 16"/ no closed season in the Atlantic/ Included within 10 per harvester per day Snapper aggregate bag limit.

Snapper, Red- 12" Atlantic/ 2 per harvester per day/ Included within 10 per harvester per day Snapper aggregate bag limit. Note: Check www.MyFWC.com/Fishing for most current regulations prior to fishing.

Snook (all species)- Not less than 28" or more than 32" Atlantic/ Dec. 15–Jan. 31; June 1– Aug. 31 Atlantic/ 1 per harvester per day/ Snook permit required for harvest when saltwater license required. Illegal to buy or sell snook. Snatch hooks and spearing prohibited.

Spotted Seatrout- Not less than 15" or more than 20" except one fish over 20" per person/ closed November and December/ 4 per harvester per day/

Tarpon- no size limit/ no closed season in the Atlantic/ 2 fish possession limit/ Requires $50 tarpon tag to possess or harvest. Snatching and spearing prohibited.

Tripletail- 15"/ no closed season in the Atlantic/ 2 per harvester per day/ Hook & line gear only. No snatch hooks.

Wahoo- no size limit/ no closed season in the Atlantic/ 2 per harvester per day/ To sell or exceed the daily bag limit, follow commercial regulations.

 

Click Here for the latest fishing regulations.

 

Sunshine State Fishing Reports

Need a quick report on fishing conditions throughout the Sunshine State? Click the link below and start your journey.

 

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