SPACEFISH REPORT
3.20.2018 – 3.26.2018
A BREVARD COUNTY FISHING REPORT EVERY TUESDAY
SHARKNADO ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR BREVARD COUNTY.
IN THIS WEEK’S REPORT…
As expected, the weather AND fishing was out of the world this weekend. Hopefully you had the chance to take advantage! This week, winds will likely keep most of us offshore, but the perfect storm approaches that presents ample opportunity for some exhilarating fishing off Brevard’s beaches and around its inlets. Bluefish and mackerel are schooling off the beach while, simultaneously, the blacktip migration through our waters kicks into high gear… Are you ready for the impending SHARKNADO — and to have a heck of a time fishing?
The blacktip migration through Brevard is ON. There’s millions of migrant blacktips right off our shore, just like this bad boy caught with Fired Up Charters over the weekend.
SPACE B.O.I. FORECAST
OFFSHORE
INSHORE
SURF/JETTY
SPECIES INDEX
Word on the Bite
In every week’s Spacefish fishing report, we turn to both fishing pros and average joe’s for input on what’s happening in and around Brevard County’s many fisheries. Check out what people are saying about the bite in the Space Coast this week:
Share your latest fishing trip with the Spacefish community! Login or create an account to participate!
CAUGHT ON CAMERA
Check out what’s been caught on camera while fishing in around the Space Coast this week.
Share your photo with Spacefish! Login or create an account to share!
Eye on the Lagoon
Spacefish met with the hard working team at the Marine Resources Council (MRC) last week, and there was little optimism concerning the algae bloom in the Indian River Lagoon. The people behind the MRC include scientific researchers, PHDs, and dedicated lagoon conservationists. Their directives are all backed with meticulous environmental research and study. So, when they’re telling people to get their fish tank bubblers ready to drop into the canals, YOU JUST KNOW things aren’t looking great. But, as they say — prepare for the worst, hope for the best.
You JUST KNOW things are bad if a leading scientific authority on the lagoon is suggesting people deploy these in the event of a pending fish kill. And yes, that is an aquarium air pump.
Here’s what the MRC has to share with our readers this week:
Get your aquarium bubblers ready!
Brevard County is again facing an extensive brown tide algae bloom (Aureoumbra lagunensis) like the one that caused the massive fish kill in March 2016. The maps above show the concentrations of chlorophyll-a (a measurement of algae) from before the fish kill in March 2016 alongside recent maps from January 24 and February 20, 2018. Recent measurements indicate that the current concentrations have exceeded those from two years ago, so our community is bracing for another possible fish kill. Brevard County officials are coordinating local groups and commercial fishers to respond to a potential fish kill and are asking residents to be on the lookout for gasping, dead and dying fish, and to report them to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish Kill Hotline at 800-636-0511.
Why do fish kills occur?
The algae doesn’t kill the fish directly. The fish suffocate from a sudden drop in dissolved oxygen (DO) in the water that occurs when the algae stop blooming and die off all at once. Scientists are uncertain what triggers the algae bloom and what makes it suddenly stop. Lower water temperatures and wind are helping to maintain dissolved oxygen right now, but we fear the worst is yet to come. With increasing temperatures and decreasing wind, we may experience another extensive fish kill.
How can you help?
If you live along a canal, you may be able to help fish survive by adding air to the water. An air pump connected to a bubble stone can provide a refuge of dissolved oxygen for fish to breathe. Alternatively, a submersible pump with a fountain can help aerate and circulate the water. It can’t hurt! Share your ingenious ideas with friends, family and neighbors on how to provide fish first-aid by aerating the water.
Learn more from the MRC at savetheIRL.org.
FULL MOUNTY FISH REPLICA CONTEST
No den, office, or man cave is complete without a full mount replica of your favorite fish species. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Mount This Fish Company to hook up one lucky Spacefish reader every month for the next 6 months with a bad ass fish replica. This month, we’re giving away a 36″ dolphin/mahi replica that will up the game of any wall and make you the envy of all your fish-loving friends.
It only takes a few seconds to enter the contest. The winner will be randomly drawn from all contest entries and will be announced in our weekly fishing report on April 3, 2018.
FSFA OFFSHORE SLAM: June 2, 2018
We’re rolling into Tournament Season on the Space Coast. If you like competition and cash prizes, it’s a great time of year! We’ve got an especially big one this year as it’s a milestone event for the Florida Sport Fishing Association (FSFA), marking their 50th annual offshore tournament. The club takes a lot of pride in being host of Central Florida’s LONGEST running offshore tourney, and they really do an amazing job year-in and year-out. Also, did we mention that there’s +$25,000 in guaranteed cash prizes up for grabs?
Win A Free FSFA Offshore Tournament Entry!
Who doesn’t love playing with house money? If you’re interested in participating in the FSFA’s 50th annual offshore tournament, we got you. We’re giving away SIX tournament entries over the next 3 months ($175 value). All you have to do is register below, with one major caveat: you can’t be a Brevard County resident (sorry!). For everyone else, it’s worth ponying up as it’s a good cause for a great organization, and just an amazing time.
WEEKLY GIVEAWAY
Congrats to last week’s giveaway winner, David Swain of Melbourne Beach. Remember to email info@spacefishreport.com to claim your prize. For everyone else, you have another chance to win this week to win a $20 Gift Card to Strike-Zone Fishing.
We’re MIXING things up a little. This week, to gain a contest entry, you have to either submit a report or a photo. In order to do that, you first have to login to your Spacefish account. For new users, click here to sign up. One winner will randomly drawn from all participants and the winner will be announced in next week’s report.
WEEKLY WEATHER
We did get the break in the weather we were expecting over the weekend which lead to some great fishing opportunities. This week will be a different story. Unfortunately, for anyone wanting to get offshore, our next window is not until the weekend. Even then, use caution and double check the weather for safety. Focus your attention inshore and around the inlets. The surf is really hot right now as well but the increase in winds may effect it throughout the week.
THANKS FOR READING!
Thanks for reading the Spacefish fishing report. Since our beginning in January of this year, we’ve now published ELEVEN Brevard County fishing reports — one for each and every week. It is awesome to see our audience and support from local community partners continue to grow with every passing week. We really appreciate your help in making this resource a valuable fixture among the Space Coast fishing community. Thanks for continuing to read the report, and be sure to check out Spacefish ON THE RADIO every Friday at 4pm on the Mark Moses Show (SPORTS RADIO 1560 THE FAN).
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