WEEKLY FORECAST
10.13.2026 – 10.19.2026
CENTRAL FLORIDA’S BEST FISHING REPORT
This month, one lucky Spacefish reader will be drawn to win a collapsible beach cart courtesy of Carroll Distributing!
This past weekend, Florida’ 14-day Atlantic red snapper season kicked off with some sporty conditions; meanwhile, runoff mucked up the water for inshore and freshwater fisheries. Looking ahead, lighter winds and calmer seas are projected through Friday and should present some decent opportunities to fish, but if you’re counting on a weekend window, you may want to temper expectations…
WEATHER & CONDITIONS
BITE OPPORTUNITY INDEX
OFFSHORE
INSHORE
SURF
FRESHWATER
Weather Overview
East Central Florida should offer a solid stretch of fishing weather Tuesday through Friday, with northeast-to-east winds generally below 15 knots, seas around 2–3 feet and mostly dry conditions early in the week. Rain chances gradually increase Thursday and Friday, but workable windows should remain for offshore, surf, inlet, lagoon and freshwater anglers. Conditions change dramatically this weekend as a front passes and strong high pressure builds to the north: northeast winds increase to 20–30 knots with possible gale-force gusts, while seas rapidly build to 7–10 feet Saturday and potentially higher Sunday. Repeated onshore showers, isolated thunderstorms, dangerous surf, strong rip currents and possible beach erosion will make offshore and surf fishing hazardous from Saturday into Monday. Overall, Tuesday through Thursday provides the week’s best combination of calm seas and limited rain, while protected inland and lagoon waters become the only reasonable options once the weekend blow develops.
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Latest Reports
Somewhere Over the Rainbow, There are Fish Frying
The ocean did not exactly roll out the welcome mat for our recent surf-fishing trip to Melbourne Beach. We had rough, post-storm conditions, dirty water, and a bite that was slower than usual. Live sand fleas were hard to come by, too.
Other than that, everything was perfect. Fortunately, we had good company. My wife and our two boys joined me, along with Captain Crush and his “partner in crush,” Dorian. We brought self-tied pompano rigs from the mayor of Crush City himself, a couple of scented artificial bait options, and hopes of catching enough whiting and pompano for dinner.
We accomplished that last part. It took some patience, but the trip ended with fresh fish in the frying pan. Given the conditions, I will take that!
Fishing the Beach We Had
There is the beach you picture while getting ready, and then there is the beach you actually find when you arrive. On this outing, the second one featured a rough ocean and dirty water.
The fishing was slower than usual, but the bite seemed to improve as the incoming tide progressed through the late afternoon and into the evening. That was the clearest pattern we noticed. I would not turn one afternoon into a declaration that incoming water always produces the best surf fishing. What mattered was recognizing what was happening during our trip. As the tide came in, the fishing became more encouraging.
Simple Rigs and a Bait Adjustment
We used self-tied pompano rigs with fluorocarbon leaders by Captain Crush. In rough conditions, a few practical questions matter. Is the rig holding where you want it? Are the knots sound? Is the bait still attached after the cast and soak?
You do not need to turn surf fishing into an engineering degree, but you do need a dependable presentation. The bait situation required some flexibility. With live sand fleas difficult to find, we stuck to Fishbites E-Z Crab and Fish Gum Sand Fleasicle, both in orange-and-white presentations.
We fished both products by themselves. There was no shrimp or live sand flea underneath the artificial bait. That is an important detail. These were our actual baits, and they produced the pompano and whiting catches as stand alone baits.
Fishbites: E-Z FLEA
Don’t Be Afraid to Strip
Scented artificial bait strips offer a convenient alternative when natural bait is scarce. They are easy to pack, can be portioned to fit a hook, and give you something to fish without first having to locate live bait.
Their job in the surf involves more than attracting a fish. They also have to survive the cast and remain useful while waves, current, and smaller fish work on the presentation. Fishbites explains that its cut baits use a water-soluble gel that releases infused flavor and scent as it dissolves. In its Longer Lasting formula, an embedded mesh or cloth binder helps keep the bait attached.
The E-Z format comes in ribbons that you cut into smaller portions. It differs from Fish’n Strips, which come as precut wedges. That distinction is useful when shopping: similar bait concepts, different formats.
Fish Gum’s Sand Fleasicle is an orange-and-white strip presentation. The company describes its bait as combining scents associated with several prey items, including crab, sand fleas, shrimp, and clams. We also used a color called Atomic Yabby. For our trip, the practical point was straightforward: we had two options available when live sand fleas were hard to obtain, and we caught fish using them alone.
FISHGUM: Atomic Yabby
Keep the Hook Exposed
With cut-to-size bait, resist the urge to build a buffet on every hook. A compact piece that fits the hook is a sensible starting point. Keep the point exposed and leave room in the hook gap. More bait does not automatically mean more fish, especially if the extra material interferes with hooking one.
Check the bait when you retrieve the rig. Something remaining on the hook does not necessarily mean it is ready for another cast. With mesh-backed Fishbites, the scented gel can eventually dissolve and leave the mesh behind. At that point, replace the bait and dispose of the spent remnant.
Fishbites offers Fast Acting and Longer Lasting formulas across its cut-bait lineup. The manufacturer generally favors Fast Acting for colder water and Longer Lasting for greater durability in warmer conditions. Check the package you are buying rather than assuming every strip has the same construction or breakdown rate.
Also…a pair of scissors is a useful tool to keep on hand, both for cutting portions and clearing stubborn remnants.
Two Useful Options, No Champions Crowned
Before writing this report, I also reviewed a separate video comparing Fishbites and Fish Gum. That angler paired each product with shrimp and tried to keep the rigs and casting distances similar.
His recorded catch tally favored the Fishbites presentation, but the handling differences were just as interesting. He found Fish Gum easier to remove and reposition while rebaiting. The mesh-backed Fishbites held firmly, although clearing it from the hook took more effort.
Those were his observations from his outing. Our trip used both products alone, and I did not keep a bait-by-bait scorecard. I cannot tell you that one brand won our afternoon, and a small sample from another angler does not settle the question either. Both deserve consideration as options to keep available.
The useful comparison is practical. Which bait gets bites under the conditions you are fishing? Which survives the cast? Which remains useful after a soak? Those questions can help you decide what to put on the next hook.
Taste the rainbow -- and the fish!
A family trip with a good ending
Having my wife and our boys along gave the outing something beyond a catch tally. We spent time together on the beach with Captain Crush and Dorian, worked through less-than-ideal conditions, and brought home a meal.
I do not remember the exact number of fish. I do remember that we had a delicious platter of fried fish to chomp on once we got back to their pad. Captain Crush and Dorian had just moved into a new house, so kitchen supplies were limited. We kept the preparation simple: an almond-flour coating, no extra seasonings, and into the frying pan.
We wanted to enjoy the flavor of the fish. We did. It was extremely tasty. After all the decisions that go into catching a fish, there is something satisfying about letting the finished meal stay simple.
This was not a nonstop-action surf trip. The water was dirty, the ocean was rough, and live sand fleas were difficult to find. But the incoming tide brought a better bite, our self-tied rigs and artificial baits got the job done, and the day ended with family, friends, and fresh fish.
Sometimes the ocean makes you work for supper. This time, supper was worth the effort. One thing that can put you ahead of the game before it starts on your next beach trip, stop by Strike Zone Fishing in Melbourne! Your one-stop shop for all your surf-fishing needs! Whether you’re stocking up on bait, gathering supplies to tie your own pompano rigs, or getting ready for a family afternoon in the sand, keep our local tackle shop in mind. Support local, get geared up, and go catch supper!
Thanks for taking the time to read, stay safe, be happy, and my your lines be ever tight… Until next time!
Reefs on Fire!
The last day we had decent weather was Monday the 6th and it was on fire on the reefs! We caught mahi, kingfish and cobia. Slow trolling live bait or frozen minnows both worked fine. Add a king buster for a little color and you are good to go.
This week we will be back at it in search for the elusive Red snapper, stay tuned!
Red Snapper Limit
Sunday’s red snapper trip is in the books! We had ourselves a full limit with some studs and a few bonus variety snappers. Check us out all week, the weather looks good and the fishing looks better.
Tough Bite Inshore
Inshore bite around Grant/Sebastian has been tough. There’s been very little bait the last several weeks most likely due to all of the rain, but there is some decent numbers near the inlet. That said, there has been plenty of action from trout, jacks, juvenile grouper and snapper with a few snook and redfish in the mix. Nearshore was tough last week with the rains and wind. Again, very little bait but there are a few schools that are pretty small around, you just have to hunt them down. When you find them, you should be able to catch plenty of jacks and sharks with some kingfish and mackerel in the mix, but it’s been tough to get through the sharks to get the tarpon to eat, however not impossible. We have had our best luck on tarpon away from any mullet schools but the sharks are still a problem. We need a few weeks of no rain and some north winds to push some clean water into the lagoon from the ocean and the bite inshore should get better.
The Ocean Obsession out of Sunrise Marina in Port Canaveral lit them up! “Sunday’s red snapper trip in the books! We had ourselves a full limit with some studs and a few bonus variety snappers. Check us out all week, the weather looks good and the fishing looks better”.
Stained Water @ Inlet
Randy from Orlando with a lovely cubera snapper.
Hello there all you Sebastian Inlet fans and friends! I hope you all had a great weekend despite all the rain we had both days. This week will be much better, no rain in the forecast the next few days, and some cooler temps with that. I don’t have any good news on the fishing as the water quality has everything shut down again, same as last week, too much freshwater coming out with the tannic acid stained C54 canal rain runoff. The only fish being caught were in the early morning incoming tide, north side, and the very first hour or so of the outgoing tide, north side.
So before I get into the action spots, I would like to address some ETIQUITTE issues we are having on the north jetty. First off, the jetty is open to EVERYONE, sight seers, pedestrians, anglers, and now it is time for the “bird watchers” to be around doing their thing! Since the south side is unavailable to them, they are all over here on the north side, and out on the jetty. The jetty is NOT only for fishing, it is for anybody interested in the ocean, and it’s marine life, and birds. Everyone has the privilege of being out there, it isn’t a right, so you anglers PLEASE be courteous and share the space, do NOT ask anyone to move out of your way so you can fish, it doesn’t work that way. We’re all allowed to be on the railing, that’s why the deck was built. The reason I am bringing this up is while I was down there over the weekend and standing at the rail at the tip, one of the young guns asked me to move out of the way so he can fish. Don’t do that. One of our rules is that any, and all rude and bad behavior will NOT be tolerated! So please, share the wealth! Now on to our action spot, yeah spot, only the north jetty, everywhere else was all messed up. Like I always say, I tell it like it is, good or bad.
North Jetty
Out here all the action has been on the early morning incoming high tide, several species of fish were being caught. Some snook, not enough to write home about, but a few being caught on live mullet, pigfish, and live shrimp, with the pigs being the better bait for this time of year. Most of the fish were either too big, or too small, but there were several slots taken home. Another species that was being caught was the spanish mackerel on live greenies and small silver spoons. Most I saw were in the 14-16 inch range. Ocean side of the jetty both tides until the dirty water moves around on the outgoing tide. Another species being caught on the incoming if you have the right gear, light tackle, are the lookdowns, on small shrimp, tiny jigs, and small live greenies. Also I only saw a few mangrove snapper caught, and they weren’t very big. Early last week we had a brief bite on the cubera snapper, two nice 8-10 pound fish were caught that I saw, one on shrimp, one on mullet, and I did hear that a few more were caught when I wasn’t there. Also I heard about one large permit being caught on live shrimp. All this action was on the incoming tide with the clean water.
South Jetty
No report as there weren’t very many anglers out due to the nasty water conditions.
T-Dock Area
Same back here, nothing but catfish and puffers. The water was also very bad quality, but plenty of baitfish! Majorra and finger mullet.
Surf Area, both sides
Due to the wind and the bigger surf, both sides were blown out. A few folks were fishing the north side, but the water was too low due to the tide phase it was, low, no water, but it was decently clean. The sandbar is back!
Well that’s all I have for this week. The weather is supposed to be good for a change, but we’ll see how that works out. The wind and waves according to my surf report shows ENE, and 5-10 mph. Should be a great week to fish. That will help clean up the water again. Have a great week everyone!
🎣 Headwaters Lake Fishing Report
Water temperature is holding around 80°, and the topwater bite has been producing some great opportunities this week! The lake is up a good 12”.
🔥 Top baits this week:
• Buzzbaits (White or Black)
• Snagproof Smashmouth Frog (Black)
• Snagproof Zoo Pop XL (Bluegill)
It’s frog and buzzbait season! We’re covering water, working the grass, and looking for those explosive topwater blowups from big Florida largemouth. If you’ve been wanting to experience a true Florida trophy bass bite, now is the time!
📅 UPCOMING AVAILABLE DATES
October 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 22 & 23
These dates won’t last long. Let’s get you on the water!
Spillways Flowing
The spillways are flowing with vengeance this past week which made for some tough conditions at our area lakes. Last Monday’s report I wrote while sitting in front of the SE spillway at Stick Marsh. The water was coming out with massive amounts of water that was dirty and lots of vegetation along with it coming out of Garcia. The spillway area was actually swirling around like a huge eddy moving the water and vegetation in a whirlpool type cyclone. We spent the rest of our day moving around with only a few fish caught. I talked to my friend whom I fish once a week with and he spoke to a gentleman that works for St. John’s water management and has control of the spillways. The waters coming out of the Ft. Drum area is at 3,296 gallons per second level PER SECOND, imagine that! The Stick Marsh spillway where we have been fishing is at 1,060 gallons per second.
It will take awhile before the waters settle and the fish acclimate to their surroundings. Hopefully we will get a break from the rains from previous weeks and by the end of October things will get back to normal.
This Week on the Lagoon
Rain and wind kept me off the water for most of the week, but I was able to get out Sunday and Monday evenings.
With all the rain we’ve had, salinity is very low, the water is heavily stained, and water levels are running high. There are still plenty of mullet around, though, so I’ve been focusing on areas where the mullet are holding.
Sunday evening was a little slow, fishing with live pinfish, but Monday night was a different story. There was plenty of activity and feeding going on, and the highlight of the night was a beautiful tarpon caught on a live finger mullet.
We aren’t looking at nearly as much rain this coming week, which should give things a chance to settle down and the water some time to clear up. All in all, fishing has been pretty good, and I expect things to continue that way as we move through the mullet run. Find the mullet, and there’s a good chance you’ll find the fish!
Goodbye Drought Conditions
With the recent stalled front that has sat on Central Florida for a couple of days we have made up for any drought conditions. With that being said there is now an influx of water throughout the waters of Daytona Beach , New Smyrna Beach and Mosquito Lagoon. With the influx of water and shifting wind directions it has made it a little difficult to locate the fish but they are still there. Focusing on the points and bars has been the trick as the bait has been pushed up on those locations and the fish have followed.
It looks as though we will continue an afternoon shower pattern into next week but the bite pattern should remain the same throughout the region.
Matching Rigs for Pompano!
Well, in last week’s report I said be ready and I hope that you did just that. Sand fleas have been hard to find so FishGum was the ticket. We fished our FishGum color match rigs (&FishGum) available at surffishflorida.com with dark colors (FleaClipse & PompSmash) while the sun was overhead, and we fished Fleasicle & Pomp Candy after the sun came out to play. The pompano are here but, in typical fashion they might move out quick. Get them while it lasts. Reports of pompano in the Melbourne Beach area all through Hutchinson Island. Above are some pictures of the fish we caught.
The Bait’s Here & Fish Are Feeding!
The bait is here, the fish are feeding, and the predators are happy!
The week started out great and ended even better. Live bait produced extremely well for me this week. I leaned more heavily on live pinfish instead of mullet, and it paid off with quite a few big snook and even a good sized tarpon thrown into the mix.
I’ve been seeing plenty of mullet schools along mangrove shorelines and around spoil islands, especially near the sandbars. Finding bait is always a good starting point because predators usually aren’t far behind. That doesn’t mean every school of bait is holding hungry fish, though. Some days you’ll still have to move around and cover some water before finding fish willing to eat.
All in all, fishing is very good right now, and I expect it to stay that way for at least the next couple of weeks. If you’d like to get out on the water and do some kayak fishing, give me a call at JP Kayak Fishing and Tours!
Mullet Run: Running Late or Simply Weak?
Good week fishing in shore a couple days and nearshore as well. There were a few mullet schools along the beach this week but mostly finger mullet. Some had tarpon and sharks in them and some seemed empty. Got quiet towards the end of the week. The mullet schools in the Lagoon are just about non existent. If this is our mullet run, it’s pretty weak again and from reports north of us, I had hopes for a good mullet run this year. Lets just hope its late. Plenty of areas inshore have good grass coming back. Along with the grass, the pinfish, pigfish, snapper and trout are rebounding in the lagoon very good in several areas. We have even been catching plenty of juvenile gag and red grouper on the flats on artificial as well.
Snook bite has been a little off for this time of year but we are still catching a few on both live bait and artificial. Beach fishing has been about the sharks. Despite the lack of mullet, the sharks are migrating south for the winter and they have been tough to get through when fishing for the tarpon off the beach. Theres also been plenty of jacks and some spanish, cero and king mackerel in the mix as well.
CATCH A BIG SMILE WITH JASIN YOUMANS DMD!
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SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY!
Don’t forget, if you’ve been fishing, we’d love to hear from you!
