Sunday, April 13, 2008

Cocoa Beach Fishing Report

April 13th, 2008 fishing report by Capt Doug Blanton
Summary
We have had some interesting days on the water over the past month. The fishing was pretty good. The reds were tailing and the gator trout were on the flats. Then it rained. The front that pushed through came at the same time that the water level was beginning to rise from the spring surge on the beach. Within a few days the water level came up over a foot in some places. This is always a time we look forward to in Cocoa Beach. Every year when this happens the fish start moving up into areas they haven't gone to feed for months. This year it made the fish on the flats wired for a few days. It did turn on the snook and tarpon though.
Now things are starting to go back to normal for this time of year. Over night the reds turned on to top water. The bigger trout started moving back to their spawning areas and a ton of mullet showed up. It looks like spring has come.
Redfish
We still have mixed bags of reds working the flats in Cocoa Beach. I always get a kick out of a school that holds 10 to 35 pound fish. Most of the schools we find have fish all within a few pounds of each other. We do have one school of reds with 30+ pounders but you have to work for them. They are very shy and like to hang in 2 to 4 feet on the outside edge of the flats.
In the early mornings the reds have been willing to take a top water plugs. We put a few in the boat over the last few weeks with the 3.25 Rip Roller but our better catches have come on the 4.25 High Roller. The High Roller has a softer action and still casts like a much larger plug. When the fish have been becoming a little spooky around plugs we have been doing real well with the new Bass Assassin Blurp. Our best luck over the past few weeks has come on the Pearl 4 inch Sea Shad.
On fly we continue to have our best luck with ether the olive rattle mullet or the pinfish EP patterns. The trick with these flies has been to let them find the fly and strip it away like something trying to run from them. They have been real slow to take a slow moving fly.
Trout
The trout spawn is starting in Cocoa Beach. This means we are in for some of the best Gator Trout fishing this area has to offer. Please, Please remember these fish are restocking our fishery. If you like to catch big trout, put all of the trout over 20 inches back! If you were hear in the 80's you will remember what is was like to not have any big trout. Before then the fishing was great. Then the netters came and RAPED our fishery. With the help of FCA now CCA Florida in 1994 we put a stop to the netting. In 1999 I had the best year I have ever had fishing big trout. We boated 37 trout over 30 inches with top water. In 2000 we boated a trout that weighed in at 16 pounds. Between 2000 and 2006 we have caught more big trout than I have in my life. I can't say that today. We have some good days out there but nothing like we did. So what changed. Over the past few years I have seen more clueless people at the dock cleaning big trout this time of year. I have seen many with their bellies red from spawning that these yahoos were cleaning. The trout need your help. Please return these fish to the water unharmed so that you can feel the tug again another day. Don't take me wrong. I like to eat fish more than most, but, I do not rape pregnant fish to have a meal. In most Native American Languages the word for "white man" means, someone who always takes and never gives anything in return. As sport fisherman we should adopt these words as names for the people who keep spawning fish.
I will get down off the soap box now and say that most of these fish we have been catching on the 4.25 Rip Roller. All of these big girls have been in areas with larger mullet in 1 to 2 feet of water. You need a long cast and to be very quite if you want the hookup.
Tarpon and Snook
We have tarpon and snook in some of the deeper holes near mangroves! That is all I'm going to say.
Other stuff
Many of you have asked me over the years about the Fishing Lanyard I wear. I have started making them for the Fly Fisherman and they now have them in both stores. These make a great gift for the fisherman that has everything else. I now also have them on my website at this link Fishing Lanyards.
until next time.....
Get out there and catch a memory.
Capt. Doug Blanton
www.SightFishing.com

To book a trip with Capt Doug click here or call 321-432-9470

Cocoa Beach Fishing Guide

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Fishing Report Nov 25 05

November 26th 2005 fishing report by Capt Doug BlantonThe bulls are grazing in the field!!!! I know it's a long story but those of you that have fished with me before know what I'm talking about. The bull reds have shown up but haven't been very cooperative yet. I do have some good news though. Our smaller 20 pounders have been a little more willing to pull a line. The only problem we have had has been finding them. They haven't fallen into a discernable pattern yet. This is typical for them in the winter. If we continue to have some stable weather it should only be a matter of time before they find an area and settle down.RedfishRedfishing has started to pick up a lot over the past week. On days when mother nature didn't blow us off the water we have been able to manage a few fish up to 25 lbs. The larger bulls have been a different story. We have been able to find them a few days but have yet to be able to get close enough to make a cast. All we need is a few calm, warm afternoons to calm these fish down enough to try to hook a run-a-way train. On the few days that the wind hasn't been blowing at 20+ the reds have started to be a little more receptive to top water. Our best catches have come on a soft walk the dog with the 3.25 Florida Special High Roller and the 3.25 Green Back High Roller. One of the major advantages we have had has been the subtle action this lure can have. Our best catches have come by casting 10 to 20 feet over and to the side of the school and slowly retrieving it to within a few feet of the school before starting a gentle walk along their edge. Doing this the fish never see it coming and as long as you keep the action to a minimum it hasn't spooked them out.
3.25 Florida Special High Roller 4.25 Bone High RollerOn those days that the fish have been to spooky to think about top water we have been once again haven't good luck with the 3" 1/4 oz Trout or Pinfish Fingerlings. These swim baits have proven to be one of the best lures I have ever used for spooky fish. Earlier this year we had days on the water when nobody was able to get a red to hit anything and we were able to consistently put fish in the boat day after day. The key is putting it far enough in front of the school and letting them come to it before you start your retrieve.
3" 1/4 oz Trout Fingerlings3" 1/4 oz Pinfish FingerlingsMost of the reds we have found over the past few weeks have been in shallow water less then 2 feet. I can't say they've been near bait or patchy areas because as I said earlier I haven't been able to find a pattern. I say this because redfish are creatures of habit. Over the years I have been able to fish the same areas day after day and tell you that they will swim past this clump of grass at 8:30 and over that sandy area at 9:00. One day I find them at 6 in one place and the next they are somewhere else at the same time. I have yet to see a pattern with bait or even grass. Each day it has been a game of hide and seek. All I can say is that it shouldn't be long before they just go nuts trying to put on a few pounds before winter gets here. TroutTrout fishing has been a little more predictable than the reds. We have been able to put a few good fish in the boat but it has all been in the early mornings in or around small schools of bait. Our largest trout has only been about 4 lbs but compared to a few weeks ago that's great. The best part about the trout has been their willingness to bust top water. We have had a blast with popper flies and top water plugs. That is one of the best things about winter time trout. When the water gets cooler the trout get a little spunky. You don't catch a lot but the ones you do will pull a little more drag.Our best catches have come on the 3.25 Blue Shad Rip Roller. in the mornings up until around 8 am in less than a foot. After that we have put more fish in the boat on drop-offs using the 3" 3/8 oz Pinfish Fingerlings.
3.25 Blue Shad Rip Roller.3" 3/8 oz Pinfish FingerlingsEverything elseThere are a few nice things about cooler water. Jacks, blues, Spanish mackerel, pompano, ladyfish and flounder. One of the great things about fishing Cocoa Beach is Port Canaveral is just a few minutes away. On days that the fishing has slowed down or the wind has blown us off the flats we have been having a good time playing with the drag burners. This has to be some of the easiest fishing you can find on a clod winter day. all you need is something shinny with a hook and some wire leader and your set. The port has been loaded with fish willing to pull line. The only thing that's missing is you.November 26th 2005 fishing report by Capt Doug BlantonThe bulls are grazing in the field!!!! I know it's a long story but those of you that have fished with me before know what I'm talking about. The bull reds have shown up but haven't been very cooperative yet. I do have some good news though. Our smaller 20 pounders have been a little more willing to pull a line. The only problem we have had has been finding them. They haven't fallen into a discernable pattern yet. This is typical for them in the winter. If we continue to have some stable weather it should only be a matter of time before they find an area and settle down.RedfishRedfishing has started to pick up a lot over the past week. On days when mother nature didn't blow us off the water we have been able to manage a few fish up to 25 lbs. The larger bulls have been a different story. We have been able to find them a few days but have yet to be able to get close enough to make a cast. All we need is a few calm, warm afternoons to calm these fish down enough to try to hook a run-a-way train. On the few days that the wind hasn't been blowing at 20+ the reds have started to be a little more receptive to top water. Our best catches have come on a soft walk the dog with the 3.25 Florida Special High Roller and the 3.25 Green Back High Roller. One of the major advantages we have had has been the subtle action this lure can have. Our best catches have come by casting 10 to 20 feet over and to the side of the school and slowly retrieving it to within a few feet of the school before starting a gentle walk along their edge. Doing this the fish never see it coming and as long as you keep the action to a minimum it hasn't spooked them out.
3.25 Florida Special High Roller 4.25 Bone High RollerOn those days that the fish have been to spooky to think about top water we have been once again haven't good luck with the 3" 1/4 oz Trout or Pinfish Fingerlings. These swim baits have proven to be one of the best lures I have ever used for spooky fish. Earlier this year we had days on the water when nobody was able to get a red to hit anything and we were able to consistently put fish in the boat day after day. The key is putting it far enough in front of the school and letting them come to it before you start your retrieve.
3" 1/4 oz Trout Fingerlings3" 1/4 oz Pinfish FingerlingsMost of the reds we have found over the past few weeks have been in shallow water less then 2 feet. I can't say they've been near bait or patchy areas because as I said earlier I haven't been able to find a pattern. I say this because redfish are creatures of habit. Over the years I have been able to fish the same areas day after day and tell you that they will swim past this clump of grass at 8:30 and over that sandy area at 9:00. One day I find them at 6 in one place and the next they are somewhere else at the same time. I have yet to see a pattern with bait or even grass. Each day it has been a game of hide and seek. All I can say is that it shouldn't be long before they just go nuts trying to put on a few pounds before winter gets here. TroutTrout fishing has been a little more predictable than the reds. We have been able to put a few good fish in the boat but it has all been in the early mornings in or around small schools of bait. Our largest trout has only been about 4 lbs but compared to a few weeks ago that's great. The best part about the trout has been their willingness to bust top water. We have had a blast with popper flies and top water plugs. That is one of the best things about winter time trout. When the water gets cooler the trout get a little spunky. You don't catch a lot but the ones you do will pull a little more drag.Our best catches have come on the 3.25 Blue Shad Rip Roller. in the mornings up until around 8 am in less than a foot. After that we have put more fish in the boat on drop-offs using the 3" 3/8 oz Pinfish Fingerlings.
3.25 Blue Shad Rip Roller.3" 3/8 oz Pinfish FingerlingsEverything elseThere are a few nice things about cooler water. Jacks, blues, Spanish mackerel, pompano, ladyfish and flounder. One of the great things about fishing Cocoa Beach is Port Canaveral is just a few minutes away. On days that the fishing has slowed down or the wind has blown us off the flats we have been having a good time playing with the drag burners. This has to be some of the easiest fishing you can find on a clod winter day. all you need is something shinny with a hook and some wire leader and your set. The port has been loaded with fish willing to pull line. The only thing that's missing is you.until next time.....Get out there and catch a memory. Capt. Doug Blanton
To book a trip with Capt Doug www.SightFishing.com or call 321-432-9470

Monday, September 19, 2005

Cocoa Beach fishing guide


Cocoa Beach is considered one of best spots in the world to sight fish redfish. Our flats have been the target of numerous fishing shows due to the number of redfish, trout, snook, and tarpon that make their home in our waters. In this area we have over 400 miles of the most exciting shallow water fishing you could ever dream of. So, stop dreaming about fishing the flats and watching us do it on TV and let's go catch some memories.

Capt Doug Blanton is a Full Time fishing guide that specializes in Light Tackle Sight Fishing in the Cocoa Beach area. I was born on Cocoa Beach and with the exception of a few years in the service this area has always been my home. I currently fish these waters over 300 days a year and have over 35 years experience fishing The Space Coast.

For more information about this Cocoa Beach fishing guide check out his website at www.SightFishing.com