cocoa beach tarpon

Fishing has been heating up on the beach this past week, with big schools of mullet running through. The snook have been hot, and there are some nice tarpon busting the bait pods as well! Big whiting, along with black drum have been showing up, and some nice local pompano are cruising the beachline.

The weather for the week looks like a typical Florida summer forecast: sunny with a chance of brief but severe thunderstorms that last about 10 minutes. The beach swells are going to be ideal for fishing this week as well. As an added bonus, a new moon is on its way, so hitting the morning and evening bites will be key as we approach the start of snook season on September 1st.

The baits of choice for live bait fishermen targeting snook have been pinfish, croakers, and, of course, mullet. Artificial bait fishermen have had success with NLBN 5-inch tails, Hogy Pro Tails, Z-Man Mulletrons, and the elusive Live Target Silver 5-inch mullets. Don’t forget the trusty Bomber lures! Fishing the troughs with the switching tides has been essential for getting the best bites. Don’t try to cast miles out—they’re in close and ready to bite!

I’ll see y’all at the shop. Tight lines!