WEEKLY FORECAST
11.26.2024 – 12.2.2024
CENTRAL FLORIDA’S BEST FISHING REPORT
We're thankful for what looks to be some fantastic fishing -- and catching -- conditions over the week ahead!
Some beautiful weather is forecasted for the week ahead, and it’s looking like we’ve got some great fishing opportunities through most of the holiday weekend. Wet a line this Thanksgiving and you shouldn’t have a problem catching more than just a full belly!
WEATHER & CONDITIONS
BITE OPPORTUNITY INDEX
OFFSHORE
INSHORE
SURF
FRESHWATER
Weather Overview
The week ahead looks great. Tuesday (NW), Wednesday (W) and Thursday (SW) are projecting lower winds. Friday (NW) the wind will increase some and carry over into Saturday (N) morning. Saturday afternoon the wind will start to drop off and remain lower into Sunday (N) morning. Sunday afternoon, the wind should pick up due to the next cold front moving in. Overall it looks like a beautiful week ahead. Just in time for Thanksgiving.
Resources
GIVEAWAYS
WHAT’S COOLER THAN BEING COOL?
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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, Shaun Buttree, 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.
LATEST Reports
Tis The Season – Early Winter Inshore Fishing
Tis The Season - Early Winter Inshore Fishing
Happy Monday Spacefish!
How about that cold snap this week eh? With frigid (ish) temperatures at night and in the morning, this can throw our fishing plans, and production for a total loop. With that said, there are a few spots over the years that have proven to be productive for me during these weird late fall, early winter days when the temps are in the 40’s in the morning and warm all the way to the lower 70’s by mid afternoon with high barometric pressure, and blue bird skies mixed in. Today I am going to break down 2 good spots that worked out really well for me last December.
Formula
So one of the hardest things about fishing in the conditions I described above is figuring out where the fish are, and to be honest if you are out on a day with the barometric pressure is way up, it’s probably just going to be a grind it out slug fest type day anyway. But the formula I have found to give myself the best chance of success is to fish areas with deeper water, next to shallow flats that are sun baked areas where they can go lay up to get sun and warm up. It’s important to remember that fish are warm blooded creatures that need exposure to sunlight or to find warmer water during cold snaps.
When it comes to presentations, a variety of things work. But the key with all of them is to slow it down. I move slower, and feel more lethargic in the colder months, so do the fish. Downsizing lures, bouncing the bottom are good strategies, and shrimp lures work well in the colder weather too.
Space Coast South – Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
North End - Pelican Island Refuge
Pictured on the map above is an area of the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, just south of Sebastian Inlet that I like to fish. The easiest way to access this area is via the kayak launch on Jungle Road, which can be accessed from A1A (Jimmy Buffet Memorial Highway), or you can launch from Riverview Park in Sebastian and cross the Indian River Lagoon to get to this area.
This area is a good winter spot, in which you will have the opportunity to catch a mixed bag of inshore fish – Snook, Trout, Redfish, Jacks etc. A few features about this area make it productive; there is deeper water in Spratt Creek, there is a big shallow flat west of Roosevelt Island, and there are ample spots to catch protection from the wind no matter which direction it is blowing, and to utlize ambush points. This spot also has a ton of mangrove shoreline to fish, which makes it a fantastic winter Snookin spot. Pictured below is a nice one I caught last December on a post-cold front day. The fishing was slow that morning, but really picked up throughout the afternoon when things warmed up.
Pelican Island Winter Snook
Space Coast Central – Merrit Island (Banana River Side)
Merritt Island - Banana River
So another area I really liked fishing when I went on a trip right after Thanksgiving of last year was this area on the Banana River side of Merritt Island. I launched from the shoreline of Kelly Park East, which is just south of 528. I ended up going south, but you can also go north to the Barge Canal which runs east-west above 528, there is deep water in the canal, which can be good for winter time fishing.
But on this trip I went south, and spent most of my time fishing the area circled, as well as the residential canals south of this area. I was able to catch a lot of smaller Trout throughout the trip, but the highlight was finding some Redfish, including the one pictured below. These creeks are “muddy” which is a good place to find Redfish in the winter. The muddy bottom of the creeks retains warmth much better than a sandy bottom, so these fish will push back into the creeks to stay warm, and look for food.
Banana River Red - Winter
Space Coast North – ???
So I haven’t personally gone north and experienced success in the winter…yet. I have some spots picked out to try this winter, but I am open to suggestions for anyone reading this to throw some spots out there that are good winter fishing spots that I should try out this winter.
Kayaks By Bo
If you haven’t already started, I am sure you will soon, it Christmas Shopping season! Don’t forget to stop into Kayaks By Bo in Cocoa! Kayaks, paddles, PFD’s, gear, accessories, apparel…if you need it, they have it, and they are running sales across the board. So check them out!
Kayaks By Bo - Storefront
That’s all for me today folks, I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! Stay safe, eat well, and try and squeeze in some time on the water. You deserve it! Thanks for reading, until next time!
Cool Water Species Drawing In
Aldo Luis Rodriguez is one of many anglers that put pompano back on the dinner menu this week!
Good morning, Sebastian Inlet fishing friends; I hope you all had a great weekend! Time for another installment on the happenings around the inlet. Good news: the fishing has picked back up just as I predicted when the water cleaned up and cooled down. Seas are 73 degrees along the coast in our area, and that, in turn, draws the ‘cool water’ species. With that said, here’s the breakdown.
North Side, west of the tide pool
Nice snook are being caught along the mangrove shoreline for those wading back there and using live pigs, pins and shrimp, or croakers, and for the folks fishing in the boats as well. Most fish are being caught on the incoming tide when the water is the cleanest, but some are also being caught on the very first of the outgoing tide. Most of the fish are over slot — and a lot of smaller ones – but there are some slots being caught. Also, back here on the incoming tide, black drum and sheepshead are biting on sandfleas and live or dead shrimp along the rocks and shoreline. Also, on this side in the surf since the ocean has calmed down considerably and cleaned up, the pompano have made a showing, along with some nice black drum and whiting on live and dead shrimp fished way out past the breakers. The boaters have been doing well also with the drum, and the snook, but the guys I talked to said most of the snook are too small to keep, but plentiful, so there should be some in the surf as well if you can find some mullet.
South side
Over here, it is the same deal: black drum, pompano, black margate and some sheepshead on live or dead shrimp and sandfleas fished on the outgoing tide at the tip, ocean side. The pompano can also be caught on the goofy jigs. Also, this is the time of year that the flounder show up, so one might just catch some in the “surf pocket” area beach side, there were some last week in the back by the T-dock. Small live baits and jigs will work for them. On the incoming tide along the jetty and the entire shoreline, snook are still possible using live baits, shrimp, pigs, pins and croakers. You will find most are too small to keep with the cooler water temperatures, but fun, nonetheless. Also being caught along this side especially incoming tide has been black drum and sheepshead on dead shrimp.
T-Dock area
Back here has been a little slower, but still, they are catching fish, mainly on the incoming tide with the cleaner water. Sheepshead, black drum and an occasional pompano or two are being caught. Live or dead shrimp is the ticket. Some snook are still around for those fishing live baits and artificials, mainly on the incoming, and the very first of the outgoing tide. Haven’t heard of any more flounder back here, but that doesn’t mean they are not around.
Surf Area, both sides
As I mentioned earlier, the talk is about the pompano drawn by cleaner and cooler waters. They are around, but not in big numbers yet. The water needs to clean up and cool down a bit more. Also, they have been catching some nice black drum and decent whiting in the surf while fishing for the pompano, not many, but a few.
Well folks, that’s it for this week! The weather is supposed to be stellar, with calm seas and the possibility of rain on Thursday, so get out and enjoy the nice weather, and catch some fish! I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!
Chill out with plenty of fish
What a weekend of fishing—it was on fire! The water was calm with a slight chop, fairly clean, and had a manageable current. The trout and weakfish patrolled the beach, devouring everything in sight, along with bluefish, big whiting, and black drum. I don’t think anyone could have asked for a better few days of fishing after a month of unfishable conditions. When that cold front hit, the fish went berserk! A few pompano were also caught in the Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral area due to the front. Water temperatures around Cocoa Beach are now reaching the prime range for pompano, so take every chance you get to fish the beach. Thanksgiving week is shaping up to be phenomenal for beach fishing, with lake-like swells and west winds.
The most popular colors of pompano rigs flying off the shelves at the shop were pink, chartreuse, and white. These colors produced the most bites when paired with Blue Magic shrimp pieces and a touch of electric chicken shrimp Fishbite. Sand fleas have also been an excellent bait choice. Casting distances varied depending on where fishermen set up along the beach—some had great success with short casts, while others found fish farther out. It really depends on the beach you choose. It’s always a good idea to set up multiple rods at different distances—short, medium, and long—to figure out where the fish are biting.
Stop by the shop to get updated on the latest hotspots, and if we don’t see you before Thanksgiving, have a wonderful time with family and friends—and eat plenty! Tight lines!
Fantastic Prefrontal Action
The prefrontal action was fantastic last Monday. Snook were the main species that we were able to target on this trip. Live fingerling mullet and live shrimp were the offerings we had to work with. Rigging choice for the mullet was a 1-ounce egg sinker and a 3/0 VMC circle hook knocker rig. This allowed us to keep the mullet tight to the bottom structure without getting hung up too much. Our shrimp rig was a red colored 1/4-ounce Assassin Boodah style jig head. With this we were able to swim our shrimp with the current so they looked very natural to the snook. We had 8 snook to 34-inches on the mullet rig and about the same number of snook on the shrimp rig.
The late November through early December time frame can be some of the best fishing of the year so if you’re ready to go out and catch your next memory please give Captain Justin or myself a shout. You can book us online at finelinefishingcharters.com or call 321-505-8217 to make your reservation with us today
Fishing Slowed After Front
Inshore and inlet fishing was good before the first real cold front of the year. We caught lots of trout as well as some snook, plenty of jacks and ladyfish to keep anglers busy. There were quite a few pompano caught as well and a few tripletail. Fishing the islands has been good with soft plastics and bucktails as well as the inlet with live bait. Once that front hit late last week and the temps dropped quite a bit, the bite slowed dramatically.
It’s picked up again now that it has started warming and the bite should improve until our next cold spell. Beach fishing this week should be good with light winds and calm seas. It’s time to get out on the beach and see if the spinner and blacktip sharks are out in numbers and ready to eat the big poppers which is a ton of fun!
Winter is Here!
Us Floridians had to dust off our coats for the first time this year. Another blast is coming at the end of this week so I guess winter is here. The waters have taken a 10 degree drop in temperatures already putting them in the mid 60’s for the last couple of days. Slowing down your presentation of lure choice will get you bit. Later in the day as the sun warms up the water and us too, we could get the bass to chase baits more aggressively than the morning times.
The Fellsmere Grade has finally got the Chip and Sealer work on it and should be wrapped up by Tuesday of this week.
I hope everyone has a pleasant Thanksgiving this year.
Great Site Casting
The bite has been on fire with great site casting for redfish and trout, using soft plastics in the shallow waters. Reds are starting to school up in the shallows near deep drop offs. Look for the fishing to be incredible for the next couple of weeks. I have days available through December so give me a call. You can reach me at 386-295-5991 or go directly to my website.
Weekend Radio Report
Get the latest word on the bite with Damon from Spacefish on the Mark Moses Show. We talk local fishing every Friday on the air at 4pm.
High Water Levels in Mosquito Lagoon
Then water level has been this past week due to some easterly winds and full moon tide swing. The bite was still steady while focusing on the areas that were holding bait worked the best.
Then water level has been high this past week due to some easterly winds and full moon tide swing. The bite was still steady while focusing on the areas that were holding bait worked the best. As we get back to a normal tide swing this week I foresee the bite continuing to get better and with a possible cool front moving in by mid week should help, as well. Spoons, soft plastics and live bait have all been working well along with cut bait also.
Fellsmere area report
Water has cooled off and grass is dying back
Square bills paddletail baits spinnerbaits and worms all fair to good
Scattered clumps of hydrilla are key
Also is you find clumps of vegetation wedged up on reeds and trees are showing up as flipping spots
Cold fronts will slow down bait fish so that pattern is gonna be good
3 forks is still good
They sprayed death on alot of vegetation. Must have gotten more money
Stickmarsh is the next shining star search and you will find em
Indian River Kayak Fishing Report
Sheepshead Frenzy!
The sheepshead bite has been absolutely on fire lately! Over the past week, I made a couple of successful trips targeting these convicts, using mangrove tree crabs along the mangrove lines. The results were impressive, with a high catch rate and quality fish.
Snook Action Heats Up with Full Moon
With the full moon phase, I shifted focus to snook fishing. Targeting areas with abundant bait, I found success using small 3” paddle tails. This proven technique yielded some exciting catches.
Looking Ahead: Winter Patterns Emerging
As temperatures drop this week, fish will begin transitioning to their winter patterns. Anglers should note that fall hotspots may become less productive. Adjust your strategies and locations accordingly to stay on top of the action.
Key Takeaways:
– Sheepshead: Mangrove tree crabs along mangrove lines
– Snook: Small paddle tails in areas with bait
– Winter patterns emerging; adjust fishing locations and strategies
Upcoming Forecast:
Stay tuned for more updates as the winter patterns develop. Tight lines!
Port Canaveral November Report
November is here and all we need is one solid week of calm seas for all the good things to happen. Sea conditions and the fishing always gets very difficult after the first tropical storm or hurricane of the year. This year September & October have been brutal. Cool weather and calm seas with bring us some epic nearshore and deep sea fishing opportunities.
Nearshore we will continue to see epic light tackle fishing for sheepshead, snook, red drum, black drum, jack crevalle, ladyfish, mangrove snapper, flounder and more. We have been doing very well on all these species in October and it will only get better moving through November.
It will be a waiting game for our water to clean up inside of a 100ft but it will happens. 100ft or bust will be the best bet. Go past 100ft you lose is the saying. Action packed days live bait trolling for kings, mahi, sails, cobia and blackfin tuna will be had on the daily. To split the day a good option is to stringer fish for lane snapper, trigger fish and vermillion snapper. We will have North winds to deal with making it where we can’t get offshore sometimes. A short burst of wind due to cold front that might produce 5-6ft seas for a couple days is a entirely different animal than a hurricane that gets seas 12-16ft for a week or more at a time.
We have smooth sailing until February just as soon as we see that first week of calm seas and it will happen at some point this month.
CAUGHT ON CAMERA
CATCH A BIG SMILE WITH JASIN YOUMANS DMD!
LOCAL EVENTS
SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY!
Don’t forget, if you’ve been fishing, we’d love to hear from you!
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