WEEKLY FORECAST
11.12.2024 – 11.18.2024
CENTRAL FLORIDA’S BEST FISHING REPORT
The wind has really been BLOWING lately, but we’ve still got many reports of a good bite from both inshore and freshwater fisheries. Don’t miss what our captains and recreational contributors have to say about it this week; plus, Knox Robinson’s got a great writeup reporting from the Fort Pierce mangroves. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, be sure to sign up for a chance to win a fancy new fishing cart — one lucky reader will be rolling this bad boy home from Strike-Zone on December 10th!
WEATHER & CONDITIONS
BITE OPPORTUNITY INDEX
OFFSHORE
INSHORE
SURF
FRESHWATER
Weather Overview
Finally, we are going to get a break this week from all the heavy wind. Don’t get me wrong, we will still have some windy days but there will be a weather window if you want to get offshore. Tuesday, the wind will be lower and out of the NNE in the morning but increasing substantially in the afternoon and this will carry over to Wednesday with winds out of the ENE. Thursday the wind will start to settle down throughout the day. Friday should begin with lighter winds out of the NNW but they will increase in the afternoon. If the current forecast holds, it appears Saturday (NNE) and Sunday (ENE) are the days you should be able to get offshore with the wind being lower on Sunday. Monday and Tuesday next week look great too with low winds currently projected out of the SE. The north winds will bring our high temperatures down into the mid to upper 70’s which I know many of us are looking forward to. Rain chances will be low all week as well.
GIVEAWAYS
WHAT’S COOLER THAN BEING COOL?
FREE STUFF. That’s what.
With a 79 year track record of service, American Air & Air & Plumbing has long mastered the craft of keeping Central Floridians FEELING COOL with the highest efficiency and reliability in HVAC services. Now they’re taking COOL up a notch by hooking up a lucky Spacefish reader with a Fish-N-Mate Junior Cart. The winner will be announced on December 10, 2024! Note, the winner must pick-up the prize in person at Strike-Zone Fishing in Melbourne.
Surf Cart Contest Entry
CONTEST RULES
- Eligibility
The COOL STUFF Giveaway Contest (the “Contest”) is open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Employees of Spacefish and other companies associated with the promotion of the Contest, and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates and advertising and promotion agencies as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible. The Contest is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations. - Sponsor
The Contest is sponsored by Spacefish and American Air & Heat of Brevard. - Agreement to Official Rules
Participation in the Contest constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon being compliant with these Official Rules and fulfilling all other requirements set forth herein. - Contest Period
The Contest begins on November 12, 2024 at 7:00 AM EASTERN and ends Dec 10, 2024. (the “Contest Period”). Entries that are submitted before or after the Contest Period will be disqualified. Submissions will be accepted for the duration of the Contest by completing the contest entry form on Spacefish.com - How to Enter
Online entry will be available by visiting Spacefish.com and following the directions provided to fill out the entry information, and submit. Limit one (1) entry per person, per email address, for the duration of the Contest Period, regardless of method of entry. Entries received from any person or e-mail address in excess of the stated limitation will be void. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. By entering the Contest, individuals consent to sharing their entry information and corresponding contact information with American Air & Heat. - Prize Drawing
On Oct 2, 2023, the Sponsor will select a winner in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received. The odds of being selected depend on the number of entries received. If the potential winner does not claim their prize by emailing info@spacefishreport.com within five (5) days, the Sponsor may select an alternate potential winner in his/her place at random from the remaining non-winning, eligible entries, or pool the prize into another subsequent giveaway. - Winner Notification The potential winners will announced in the weekly fishing report. Each potential Grand and First Prize winner (parent/legal guardian if a minor in his/her state of residence) will be required to complete, electronically sign and submit a Declaration of Compliance within five (5) days of the date notice or attempted notice is sent, in order to claim his/her prize. If a potential winner cannot be contacted, or fails to submit the Declaration of Compliance within the required time period (if applicable), or prize is returned as undeliverable, potential winner forfeits prize. If the potential winner is at least 18 but still considered a minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, Sponsor reserves the right to award the prize in the name of his/her parent or legal guardian, who will be required to sign the Declaration of Compliance on the potential winners behalf and fulfill any other requirements imposed on winner set forth herein. Potential winners must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. In the event that a potential winner is disqualified for any reason, Sponsor will award the applicable prize to an alternate winner by random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries. Only three (3) alternate drawings will be held, after which the prize will remain un-awarded.
- Prizes
The winner will receive one Fish-N-Mate fishing cart. The prize must be picked up at Strike-Zone Fishing in Melbourne, FL. - General Conditions
In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Contest is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, bug, worm, unauthorized human intervention or other technical problem, or in the event the Contest is unable to run as planned for any other reason, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either (a) suspend the Contest to address the impairment and then resume the Contest in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules or (b) terminate the Contest and, in the event of termination, award the prize at random from among the eligible, non-suspect entries received up to the time of the impairment. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to damage the website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages (including attorney’s fees) and any other remedies from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Failure by the Sponsor to enforce any provision of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. - Release and Limitations of Liability
By participating in the Contest, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Sponsor, and each of their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, other companies associated with the Contest, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, shareholders, representatives, and agents (the Released Parties) from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Contest or receipt or use of the prize (including any travel or activity related thereto), including, but not limited to: (a) any technical errors associated with the Contest, including lost, interrupted or unavailable Internet Service Provider (ISP), network, server, wireless service provider, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone, cellular tower or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties; (b) unauthorized human intervention in the Contest; (c) mechanical, network, electronic, computer, human, printing or typographical errors; (d) application downloads, (e) any other errors or problems in connection with the Contest, including, without limitation, errors that may occur in the administration of the Contest, the announcement of the winner, the cancellation or postponement of the event and/or the flyover, if applicable, the incorrect downloading of the application, the processing of entries application downloads or in any Contest-related materials; or (f) injury, death, losses or damages of any kind, to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrants participation in the Contest or acceptance, receipt or misuse of the prize (including any travel or activity related thereto). Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Released Parties liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Contest, and in no event shall the entrant be entitled to receive attorney’s fees. Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages. - Disputes
Except where prohibited, each entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Contest or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in Florida. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrants rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsor in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of Florida, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules, which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than Florida. - Privacy
Information collected from entrants is subject to sponsor’s privacy policy.
Cornhole Giveaway
Since 1960, Carroll Distributing has been keeping the local shelves stocked and taps flowing for a long list of everybody’s favorite beverages. Now, they are going to be distributing some awesome prizes to Spacefish readers every month. This month, the prize is a FSU themed cornhole set!
CONTEST RULES
- Eligibility
Spacefish Giveaway Contest (the “Contest”) is open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Employees of Spacefish and other companies associated with the promotion of the Contest, and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates and advertising and promotion agencies as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible. The Contest is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations. - Sponsor
The Contest is sponsored by Carroll Distributing. - Agreement to Official Rules
Participation in the Contest constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon being compliant with these Official Rules and fulfilling all other requirements set forth herein. - Contest Period
The Contest runs from Oct 22 – Nov 26, 2024 - How to Enter
Online entry will be available by visiting the latest fishing report on our website (spacefish.com) and following the directions provided to fill out the entry information, and submit. Limit one (1) entry per person, per email address, and per household for the duration of the Contest Period, regardless of method of entry. Entries received from any person, e-mail address, or household in excess of the stated limitation will be void. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. - Prize Drawing
One winner will be selected among all Spacefish email subscribers. The odds of being selected depend on the number of entries received. The Sponsor will publish the winner’s name in its weekly fishing report on Nov 26 and the winner will be contacted via email. If the potential winner does not claim their prize by responding within five (5) days, the Sponsor may select an alternate potential winner in his/her place at random from the remaining non-winning, eligible entries. - Winner Notification The potential winner will announced in the weekly fishing report on Nov 26. The winner (parent/legal guardian if a minor in his/her state of residence) will be required to complete, electronically sign and submit a Declaration of Compliance within five (5) days of the date notice or attempted notice is sent, in order to claim his/her prize. If a potential winner cannot be contacted, or fails to submit the Declaration of Compliance within the required time period (if applicable), or prize is returned as undeliverable, potential winner forfeits prize. If the potential winner is at least 18 but still considered a minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, Sponsor reserves the right to award the prize in the name of his/her parent or legal guardian, who will be required to sign the Declaration of Compliance on the potential winners behalf and fulfill any other requirements imposed on winner set forth herein. Potential winners must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. In the event that a potential winner is disqualified for any reason, Sponsor will award the applicable prize to an alternate winner by random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries. Only three (3) alternate drawings will be held, after which the prize will remain un-awarded. Prizes will be fulfilled approximately 8-10 weeks after the conclusion of the Contest.
- Prizes
(1) Budlight Cornhole Set - General Conditions
In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Contest is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, bug, worm, unauthorized human intervention or other technical problem, or in the event the Contest is unable to run as planned for any other reason, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either (a) suspend the Contest to address the impairment and then resume the Contest in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules or (b) terminate the Contest and, in the event of termination, award the prize at random from among the eligible, non-suspect entries received up to the time of the impairment. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to damage the website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages (including attorney’s fees) and any other remedies from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Failure by the Sponsor to enforce any provision of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. - Release and Limitations of Liability
By participating in the Contest, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Sponsor, and each of their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, other companies associated with the Contest, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, shareholders, representatives, and agents (the Released Parties) from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Contest or receipt or use of the prize (including any travel or activity related thereto), including, but not limited to: (a) any technical errors associated with the Contest, including lost, interrupted or unavailable Internet Service Provider (ISP), network, server, wireless service provider, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone, cellular tower or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties; (b) unauthorized human intervention in the Contest; (c) mechanical, network, electronic, computer, human, printing or typographical errors; (d) application downloads, (e) any other errors or problems in connection with the Contest, including, without limitation, errors that may occur in the administration of the Contest, the announcement of the winner, the cancellation or postponement of the event and/or the flyover, if applicable, the incorrect downloading of the application, the processing of entries application downloads or in any Contest-related materials; or (f) injury, death, losses or damages of any kind, to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrants participation in the Contest or acceptance, receipt or misuse of the prize (including any travel or activity related thereto). Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Released Parties liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Contest, and in no event shall the entrant be entitled to receive attorney’s fees. Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages. - Disputes
Except where prohibited, each entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Contest or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in Florida. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrants rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsor in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of Florida, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules, which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than Florida. - Privacy
Information collected from entrants is subject to sponsor’s privacy policy.
Cornhole Giveaway
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Weekly Strike-Zone Giveaway
Each week, we’ll randomly draw a name from our email subscriber list to award a $20 Strike-Zone Fishing Gift Card. To enter, all you need to do is subscribe to our weekly forecast email (once subscribed, you’re eligible to win EVERY week).
Congrats to this week's winner, Damian Grzybko, Melbourne
NOTICE: If you are announced as a winner, you must EMAIL US within 5 days to claim your prize (please include your phone number and mailing address), or your prize will be forfeited and added back into the giveaway pool for future winners.
Subscribe for Contest Entry
To enter the WEEKLY giveaway contest for a $20 Strike-Zone Fishing Gift Card, all you need to do is subscribe to our fishing report via email. One winner will be drawn from all current subscribers, every week.
"*" indicates required fields
CONTEST RULES
NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. ALL FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND MUNICIPAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
- Eligibility
Spacefish Giveaway Contest (the “Contest”) is open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Employees of Spacefish and other companies associated with the promotion of the Contest, and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates and advertising and promotion agencies as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible. The Contest is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations. - Sponsor
The Contest is sponsored by Spacefish, located at 745 Hibiscus Dr, Satellite Beach, Florida 32937. - Agreement to Official Rules
Participation in the Contest constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon being compliant with these Official Rules and fulfilling all other requirements set forth herein. - Contest Period
The Contest runs in definitely, every week from Tuesday to the following Monday (the “Contest Period”). - How to Enter
Online entry will be available by visiting the latest fishing report on our website (spacefishreport.com) and following the directions provided to fill out the entry information, and submit. Limit one (1) entry per person, per email address, and per household for the duration of the Contest Period, regardless of method of entry. Entries received from any person, e-mail address, or household in excess of the stated limitation will be void. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. - Prize Drawing
Every Tuesday, the Sponsor will select potential winners in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received. The odds of being selected depend on the number of entries received. The Sponsor will publish the winner’s name in its weekly fishing report on May 1, 2018. If the potential winner does not claim their prize by emailing info@spacefishreport.com within five (5) days, the Sponsor may select an alternate potential winner in his/her place at random from the remaining non-winning, eligible entries. - Winner Notification The potential winners will announced in the weekly fishing report. Each potential Grand and First Prize winner (parent/legal guardian if a minor in his/her state of residence) will be required to complete, electronically sign and submit a Declaration of Compliance within five (5) days of the date notice or attempted notice is sent, in order to claim his/her prize. If a potential winner cannot be contacted, or fails to submit the Declaration of Compliance within the required time period (if applicable), or prize is returned as undeliverable, potential winner forfeits prize. If the potential winner is at least 18 but still considered a minor in his/her jurisdiction of residence, Sponsor reserves the right to award the prize in the name of his/her parent or legal guardian, who will be required to sign the Declaration of Compliance on the potential winners behalf and fulfill any other requirements imposed on winner set forth herein. Potential winners must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. In the event that a potential winner is disqualified for any reason, Sponsor will award the applicable prize to an alternate winner by random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries. Only three (3) alternate drawings will be held, after which the prize will remain un-awarded. Prizes will be fulfilled approximately 8-10 weeks after the conclusion of the Contest.
- Prizes
(1) Strike-Zone Fishing $20 Gift Card - General Conditions
In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Contest is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, bug, worm, unauthorized human intervention or other technical problem, or in the event the Contest is unable to run as planned for any other reason, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either (a) suspend the Contest to address the impairment and then resume the Contest in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules or (b) terminate the Contest and, in the event of termination, award the prize at random from among the eligible, non-suspect entries received up to the time of the impairment. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to damage the website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages (including attorney’s fees) and any other remedies from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Failure by the Sponsor to enforce any provision of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. - Release and Limitations of Liability
By participating in the Contest, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Sponsor, and each of their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, other companies associated with the Contest, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, shareholders, representatives, and agents (the Released Parties) from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Contest or receipt or use of the prize (including any travel or activity related thereto), including, but not limited to: (a) any technical errors associated with the Contest, including lost, interrupted or unavailable Internet Service Provider (ISP), network, server, wireless service provider, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone, cellular tower or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties; (b) unauthorized human intervention in the Contest; (c) mechanical, network, electronic, computer, human, printing or typographical errors; (d) application downloads, (e) any other errors or problems in connection with the Contest, including, without limitation, errors that may occur in the administration of the Contest, the announcement of the winner, the cancellation or postponement of the event and/or the flyover, if applicable, the incorrect downloading of the application, the processing of entries application downloads or in any Contest-related materials; or (f) injury, death, losses or damages of any kind, to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrants participation in the Contest or acceptance, receipt or misuse of the prize (including any travel or activity related thereto). Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Released Parties liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Contest, and in no event shall the entrant be entitled to receive attorney’s fees. Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages. - Disputes
Except where prohibited, each entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Contest or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in Florida. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrants rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsor in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of Florida, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules, which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than Florida. - Privacy
Information collected from entrants is subject to sponsor’s privacy policy.
LATEST Reports
Fish Are Chewing in Chilly Weather
It’s been a chilly, windy start to the holiday season but the fish are chewing! Despite crazy cold fronts and heavy winds the fishing has been nothing short of incredible, with all the wicked weather offshore fishing has been pretty much out of the question but the inshore bite remains strong!
Most anglers can find a variety of species from snook, redfish, tripletail, black drum, pompano and more in and around the surf and inlets. These cool fronts really bunch the fish up and tend to slow down their metabolism. This typically makes fishing really good with smaller profile baits such as shrimp, fiddler crabs, sand fleas and a variety of small jigs such as the gulp shrimp. Those in search of larger species like snook and redfish, a free lined shrimp with a small pinch weight can be extremely effective especially fishing near any sort of structure with good water depth.
Many anglers get really excited about the pompano and sheepshead fishing that is found along the entire surf from new smryna and as far south as Sebastian. On the calmer days, try fishing a double hook rig with a 2-3 oz pyramid sinker. Most of the troughs are very close shore. The best approach is to set several rods varying different distances and or depths. The “go to” bait in these situations is a fresh sand flea tipped with a small chunk of fish bites soft plastic. Apply the chunk of artificial bait over your fresh sand flea or even peeled shrimp. This setup can produce some quality fish!
The most important factor this time of year when fishing along the beach is looking for clean water. It’s as easy as find clean water and find the fish! I wish everyone the best and hope you can all get out and enjoy some of this wonderful winter fishing!
by Capt. Alex Hughey
Coastal Fishing Expeditions
| (321) 795-8566
Winter Patterns
We have had some back to back cold fronts dipping down into Central Florida the past couple of weeks bringing cooler air temps along with water temps. The fish have really started to move into their winter time patterns looking for warmer water conditions. Look for your trout, redfish and black drum to move off the grass and more onto the sand or mud bottoms. The snook who are way more sensitive to the temperature drop will be moving to deeper water looking for there.
We are moving into the time of year where down sizing and settle retrieves work best. This is a great time of year for sight fishing and artificials as the cooler water temps will make these fish active. The weather looks to be stable through the weekend with another possible cool down next week.
by Capt. Patrick Rood
Spot N Tail Charters
| (386) 566-1394
Timeout fishing
Went to Soque river in North Georgia near Clarksville. Spent 4 days fly fishing for giant rainbow and brown trout. It was cold but the fishing was outstanding and we had 8 over 10 lbs and each of us 3 anglers had over 20 each per day
Happy holidays and Merry Christmas. I am back and have days open in December
by haulinbass
December is Banging
December has started off with a bang! The fish are big and hungry. Snook, bull redfish, tripletail and black drum are the main species captain Justin and I have had come over the gunnel this past week. Live baits like croakers, finger mullet and shrimp seem to be working best. We continue to rig these live baits on a 3/4 to 1-once knocker rig or 1/4 ounce Assassin jig head. As long as the water temps continue to stay in the lower 70 degree range along the near-coastal waters you can expect this incredible bite to continue.
If you missed our Black Friday special of $75 off any trip booked with captain Justin or myself for the 2025 season, we are extending it for our Spacefish readers through the end of the week. That’s right. You can get our once a year Black Friday special toward any trip booked with us in the coming year and save. Call 321-505-8217 and captain Justin will provide you with the discount code so you can book your trip with us online at your convenience.
Let’s go catch your next memory before the fishing slows!
by Capt. Jim Ross
Fine Line Fishing Charters
| (321) 636-3728
Kayak Bassin’ in the Winter – Best Spots
KAYAK FISHING REPORT
Happy Monday Spacefish!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! We traveled to Georgia over the break to see family on both sides, we returned home on Saturday night. I was able to get out and fish yesterday. It was a new spot in my ongoing research to find the best winter inshore fishing spots. It was “ok” I will go into more detail in a future report about this spot, one of the reasons I did not do as well as I hoped to write about it, was because of the wind. It was a classic winter time North wind, and it made it difficult to fish. Now there are certain times of the year when breezy weather can be beneficial to inshore fishing, but the winter is not that time, especially when it is bringing in chilly air temps.
But it did get me thinking about something, I thought about my fishing trips over the past 2 years on the weekend after Thanksgiving. They have both been freshwater, Bass trips, and they both were pretty successful.
One of the things I do, or at least try to do, is to keep a log book of fishing trips. Whether it was good, bad, ugly, or epic. I try to write down my thoughts going into the trip, and my thoughts afterwards. It helps me to build on positive trends, and nip negative ones in the bud. So I went back and looked and I saw that I had picked the spots I did to gain protection from the north winds.
Kayak Bassing – Winter
So I am not sure honestly what my all time PB Bass is, but I know that I have caught some of the bigger ones in the Winter-Early spring time, this time of year I enjoy Bass fishing more than inshore fishing. Inshore fish tend to slow down with their metabolism, the weather gets colder, they don’t move as much and don’t eat as much. Now this is true amongst Bass as well, but they also spawn earlier in Florida, so you will see them eat more to gear up for spawning season than an inshore species like Snook, who spawns in the summer.
Also Bass tend to be more aggressive and bite lures more than inshore fish as well, so with all that being said, Bass fishing can provide more action during the colder weather months than inshore fishing. Those factors are why I tend to do more Bass fishing in the winter, and more inshore fishing in the summer. The Bluebird skies and the post frontal high pressure days affect Bass too, but I have had more success catching Bass in good size, and numbers on those type of days, than I have catching inshore fish.
Spot #1 – The Stick Marsh
One of the areas that has been good to me in December-January is the northern part of the Stick Marsh. Launching out of Fish Fellsmere Grade Recreation Area I get through the canal that leads boats to the main lake, but instead of going south, I head west where there is roughly 3 miles of wind protected shoreline and structure. To be fair, I have had great days in other times of year fishing this same path, but getting the protection from the wind in the winter is pretty clutch. My best areas have been working that area about halfway between the east & west sides of the lake when you can push in behind the submerged palm trees and work that pocket about a mile or so down. Sometimes the fish are in the trees, sometimes they are on the outside, and sometimes they push up in the shallows near the shoreline. It may take a while to find the pattern, but once you do, you should be able to catch a lot of fish, and catch some of quality size as well.
The pegged weight Texas rig Speed Worm has always been good to me in this area, during this time of year, but a Watermelon Red Fluke style bait, and a Black/Blue Senko works well too, especially if the fish are moving slower and want something more subtle. I fish both of these baits weightless and weedless. They are both all time-classic Bass fishing staples, but remember to be patient and fish them slow and patiently. Both baits are designed to trigger bites on “the fall” and Stick Marsh does not have the same type of underwater vegetation as most Florida lakes.
Spot #2 – Lake Toho
So for Lake Toho I have two spots within this large lake that both offer the same advantages. The two launch spots are Whaleys Landing Public Boat Ramp which is located in the south-eastern corner of the lake; and Brownie Wise Park or Big Toho Marina in the northern part of the lake.
They both offer lots of places to fish with plenty of structure/cover that not only serves as vital fish habitat, but it serves as a buffer from the chop on the water that can be a real pain in the you-know-what when you are fishing from a kayak. The first spot I’ll talk about is the north end of the lake, here is a map of the areas I like pictured below. I drew lines of the areas I went to from the Big Toho Marina.
I fished this spot last year during Christmas break, and I went to the outside edges of the grass line first. I launched early in the morning and it was chilly out, so I targeted this area with deeper water, somewhere between 6-8 feet. As the sun rose and the weather warmed I gradually went into where it was shallower. I did well in the area around the channel where I could target depth contours and still works baits in the emergent vegetation which is the #1 type of cover on Lake Toho.
I never caught anything of great size, I just caught a ton of fish on this trip, it was a 25+ catch day on two presentations, a Gambler EZ Swimmer in Copperfield on a screw-lock belly weight hook, and a pegged tungsten Texas Rig with a Zoom Junebug Red speed worm. The T-rigged work around the contours and the Gambler in the grass.
The other spot that worked well last winter was this area of Lake Toho launching out of Whaley’s Landing and heading SSE towards Friar’s Cove. This is a great place to fish during pre-spawn and during the spawn as you can find good spawning grounds inside the outer edge of Kissimmee Grass. I’ve caught some decent fish out of this area. Mostly I have caught good numbers here, but I was with a guy who caught an absolute tank in this spot in January of 2023. That was the day I became a believer in the Swimming Senko style of bait, which works well here on a Texas Rig, the same way I do speed worms. But I have also had success with fluke style baits, especially targeting pockets around the spawning areas.
The color pattern that has worked well for me is a natural green pumpkin/watermelon color with red and purple flakes. Also anything natural with some additional gold flake works well too. I don’t know why, but those colors seem to outperform the Junebugs and the Blacks/Blues in this corner of the lake.
Summary & Conclusion
These two fishing spots are not the be all, end all. There are other spots out there that offer protection from the harsh winds that sweep down from the north country. I think the key to the formula is to find spots that offer wind protections but have enough water to hold a large number of fish, and enough structure and cover to get them to concentrate and have depth contours and areas with deeper water and areas of shallower water. Not to sound like a broken record, I feel like I end up saying this a lot here, but fishing the fish is way more important than what you throw at the fish. Colors matter, size and profile and ability to rig matters but none of those things matter if you don’t present them to a fish.
Is there a spot you like to fish in the winter months? What am I missing, I would love to hear from you if you have any spots or suggestions for great winter time kayak Bass fishing!
I’d like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, and a (early) very Merry Christmas, make sure to check out Kayaks By Bo when you are out doing your Christmas shopping! Thanks for reading, until next time!
by Knox Robinson
Spacefish Prostaff
Lane, Mangroves, Triggers, and More
The Ocean Obsession out of Sunrise Marina at Port Canaveral have had their customers on the fish. It’s been a nice mix of lane snapper, mangrove snapper, triggerfish and some other species mixed in too. If you want to get out and catch some of these tasty critters, give them a call to book your spot on the next trip.
by Ocean Obsession II
| (321) 453-3474
Flounder Season!
Good morning all my Sebastian Inlet friends and family! I hope everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving with friends and family! So here’s this weeks update on the fishing at the inlet. Last week the fishing was pretty dang good with the cooler water temperatures, 72, and the fact that it had cleaned up quite a bit and the fish were on a roll so to speak.
The hotspot was the NE tip of the north jetty, but only the lucky boaters could fish that area, luck dogs. But it’s all good because the south side was producing fish as well. The boats, some of them who were fishing with live shrimp and not just live pins, pigs, and croakers were catching quite a few really nice black drum, sheepshead, pompano, redfish and a lot of small snook, mostly undersized because when the water cools down the juveniles love to come out to play! That all ended on Friday afternoon when the seas and the NNE winds decided to pick up and make it too rough to fish there anymore. The south jetty was pretty good all week as well, up until Friday afternoon when it all went away with the winds and seas picking up. Both tides they were catching some black drum, sheepshead, pompano, and even some small bluefish. Sand fleas and either live or dead shrimp worked for everything. A couple of the guys were using the small goofy jigs to catch the pompano, beachside. The incoming tide along the rock shoreline was producing black drum, sheepshead and black margates on cut shrimp. Some snook were around, but they were mostly the smaller fun ones. Any live bait will entice them, and smaller swimbaits. The water temperature of the water along our coast has now dropped down to 69 degrees with the north winds we have been seeing. This in turn will make our cool water species want to bite, if the water cleans back up.
Flounder season just opened up December the first, so they should be showing, there have been a small number of them caught last month, but they were small, and closed. The limit for them is 14 inch minimum with a bag limit of 5 per person per day. Live shrimp, small finger mullet and mud minnows are the preferred baits, but they can be caught on small artificials too. Anywhere along the shoreline you can find them, incoming tide is the best, and at the tide change periods either tide. Another species that usually show up this time of year when the water gets this cold and cleans up is the spotted seatrout, but they are still closed until January the first. The stats for these fish in our area are, 2 per person per day, 15 inch minimum, 19 inch maximum, and one of those two fish can be over the 19 inch maximum, but you can only keep two fish. The south side is usually where a lot of them hang out. Live shrimp is the best bait for them, but they do gat caught by the anglers fishing with mud minnows and small finger mullet. Also, the smaller artificials work well with them. I did hear that there are a lot of them in the intercoastal, back side of the inlet, along with some pompano.
The T-Dock area has been a hit or miss deal with the fish, some days there are some spanish mackerel back there on small white jigs, and also there have been reports of some of the black drum and sheepshead being caught on live and dead shrimp. Not much action on the snook back here, except for the nigh timers tossing flair jigs, they are catching a few, but most are too big to keep. The surf is a blown out mess again!!
So that’s all I have for now my friends. This week is going to be a little brutal with the stiff winds all week, and the kicked up waves , and the cold weather. It should start laying back down and warming up some by Thursday, so we shall see how that goes. I hope everyone has a wonderful week!
by Wayne "Snookman" Landry
Sebastian Inlet State Park
| (321) 724-5175
Good Fishing Offshore
The fishing has been good overall offershore when we can get out.
It looks like Thursday and Friday are going to cooperate this week for getting offshore. On the reefs the kingfish are here which is a great sign. Other species we are catching are cobia and don’t be surprised if Mr. Sailfish makes an appearance, as well. Nearshore, the shark fishing has remained strong. We are seeing some really nice bull redfish, too. The snook bite has been fantastic around the jetties at Port Canaveral. If you can cast net some mullet, you’ll be in great shape. I have to mention that some really nice size tripletail are showing up, too.
by Capt. Chris Cameron
Fired Up Charters
| (407) 222-3573
Black Drum Starting to School Up
We had great fishing for Thanksgiving week and hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday. The massive cold front really turned the fish on with multiple species being caught every day. Black drum are starting to school up on deep edges and will eat a shrimp tipped jig head. Snook, redfish and trout are moving into the flats near deeper water as the sun comes up and starts to warm the shallows. Even got to fish with an actor from an HBO series. I have days open throughout the month you can come catching by calling 386-295-5991 or get a gift certificate at fatfishguide.com.
by Capt. Mike Mann
Fat Fish Guide Service
| (386) 295-5991
Trout, Pompano in the Lagoon
The Lagoon is giving up lots of trout. Water temperatures were in the mid 60’s which have made the fish lay lower in deeper water close to the bottom. Jigging a small plastic off the bottom will get strikes. Also fishing along deeper mangroves using the same techniques as before. Fishing like this also has a bonus to it as well. Pompano will run in the same waters, too.
Headwaters fishing is still challenging for the artificial bite. Moving around covering water until you get a bite then slowing down to pick the spot apart before moving on. The fish were staging close to heavier hydrilla areas with sparse open water with scattered grass surrounding these areas. My best bite came on a Gambler Slim EZ in the Copperfield color with a 3/16 oz. weight. Swimming this lure slowly through the grass got my fish. As I’m writing this report it’s cold outside and tomorrow even colder. This change will have a slower catch ratio but when we come into a warm up from the cold fronts will be a better bite.
by Terry Lamielle
| (321) 537-5346
First Cold Week of Fishing
This is the first cold week of fishing in a while. The bite changed but we still caught a lot of fish, mostly school trout along with a bunch of jacks, bluefish, mackerel and pompano. Soft plastics have been the key in the lagoon and fish areas with moving water.
The inlet bite was pretty good with some redfish and snook on live bait around the tide changes. Beach bite is pretty good as well with some pompano, jacks and a few mackerel. If you’re willing to make runs when it’s calm, you should be able to find plenty of mackerel and some kingfish south towards Vero. We are having another cold week which will cool the water temps some more and keep that bit slower in the lagoon. However, if you get out and work the deeper water you will find plenty of action with smaller fish and even be able to bring some good dinner size fish.
by Capt. Glyn Austin
Going Coastal Charters
| (321) 863-8085
Thanksgiving Day
My boat is in the shop, so I’ve been going to a pond across the street and doing OK. Got 13 on Thanksgiving ranging from half pound up to 2lbs and a BIG girl weighing between 6 and 7lbs, guess no scales. All were caught on a 1/4 ounce Z Man Willowvibe with a white minnow.
by Tcracers
CAUGHT ON CAMERA
CATCH A BIG SMILE WITH JASIN YOUMANS DMD!
LOCAL EVENTS
Boat & Motor Superstores Demo Day
Nov 23
SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY!
Don’t forget, if you’ve been fishing, we’d love to hear from you!
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