Tomoka Basin to Sebastian Inlet
Includes Daytona Beach, Titusville, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa and Melbourne

Oct. 17-20

EC

PONCE INLET

OFFSHORE-This week rough conditions have not allowed anglers to get out. The last report out of this inlet was positive for anglers chasing sailfish in the 240 to 300-foot depths. In last weekend's tournament 20 boats landed and released 90 sailfish over a two day period. Bottom fishing for cobia, snapper, grouper and amberjack should continue to be good on the 140 to 260-foot reefs and wrecks. Live grunts, red eyes, and pinfish are working best. King mackerel in the 10 to 20 pound range should be holding on the 70 to 90-foot reefs here as well.

INSHORE-The mullet run is in a slight lull at this time but should pick up with the cool front expected this weekend. This should bring shark, big redfish, jack, tarpon and more back to the inlet and near shore area waters. The beaches may also start to see more pompano, black drum and whiting with the cooler temps that are expected. Trout, bluefish, ladyfish and flounder may also pick up in the next three to five day period. Redfish are hitting live shrimp and finger mullet along the channel edges in the main river south of the inlet.

PORT CANAVERAL

OFFSHORE-Rough conditions have kept many boats in port this week. Good numbers of sailfish are hitting live baits and small ballyhoo trolled in the 200 to 300-foot depths when boaters can get out of this inlet though. Capt. Russell Sinclair on the charter boat Big Game posted 7 releases on a recent trip. Small dolphin and decent sized king mackerel in the 12 to 18-pound range are striking trolled ballyhoo in the 140 to 200-foot depths. Blue/white or pink/white colored lures or skirts have been working well in conjunction with small to medium sized ballyhoo. When anglers can get out bottom fishing has been consistent on the reefs and wrecks in the 120 to 180-foot depths. Outside of this depth amberjack become much more prevalent.

INSHORE-Over-sized redfish are still grouped into massive schools in the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River. With 300 to 600 fish grouped in each school, anglers casting large top water plugs or cobia jigs are having no problem hooking and landing these 35 to 50-inch long fish. These schools should continue to feed in this manner for about another week. Then they will break up and continue about there typical fall pattern-scattering themselves back across the far reaches of our inshore lagoon system.

SEBASTIAN INLET

OFFSHORE-Anglers should find dolphin, king mackerel and sailfish holding in the 150 to 240 foot depths. Color or temp breaks and floating debris will be key areas to investigate with a trolling spread. Tarpon are following mullet pods along the near shore waters north and south of the inlet.

INSHORE-Snook are the main catch during most of the evening and nighttime tides this week. Most of the usual snook baits and lures are working well in the dark. Live mullet have been best during the day. slot sized redfish and trout are hitting lipped diving plugs, soft jerk baits, and small top water plugs along the mangrove covered shorelines and docks throughout this region. Look for areas with good bait concentrations to hold the most fish.

Until next week...Catch a memory!

Captain Jim Ross Florida Sportsman Magazine Live Radio Host Saturdays from 8 to 9 am on WWBC 1510 am. Fineline Fishing Charters-Catch a memory! www.finelinefishingcharters.com or (321)-636-3728 Indian River Fishing Academy Instructor www.irfac.com

By Capt. Jimmy Ross| www.captainjimross.com | captjimross@cfl.rr.com | 321-636-3728