Friday, January 06, 2006
Cocoa Beach fishing
Book your trip with Capt. Doug by clicking here or calling 321-432-9470
Flats Report for Cocoa Beach & Titusville areas
January 6, 2006 fishing report by Capt Doug Blanton
Happy New year! As I sit here writing this report I can't help but think about 2005 and all the things I have to be thankful for. Besides my family's health and and the roof over my head I am thankful for all of you that have fished with me this past year and helped me to live my dream of being a guide. I am also thankful for all of you I have had a chance to meet and talk about fishing at the docks and in the fly shop. It has also been great hearing from those of you who trusted the advice I gave you about the tackle I have found that works. I love here the stories about catching fish.
I would also like to thank the guys at High Roller and G-loomis for making such great products. I know we would have never put the fish we did this past year in the boat if they didn't make such great products.
Well before I start to sound like I'm accepting some award I want to give you a snapshot of 2005's redfish statistics. As you can see this year was a great year for reds. You can also see just how bad the cold front hurt us in late October. I hope you find this info useful. I am in the process of posting a statistic page at www.sightfishing.com/statistic.html
Current fishing report
Well once again we are riding the rollercoaster. Every winter we only have 2 types of trips in Cocoa Beach. The good, the slow and the painful. Well maybe it's not that bad but when I look at what's around the corner in February it feels that way. The reds are here. We even have some big boys on our flats. I just can't tell you what your day is going to be like from day to day. One day we will hook into numerous great fish. the next they wont even look at your bait. The only thing that keeps us going is the chance of hooking that big one and all the winter time fish that pass through.
If your just looking for a tight line and want to here drag we do have a good number of ladyfish (poor mans tarpon), blues, jacks, Spanish mackerel, Flounder, pompano and a few others around. We have even seen a few tarpon (this is a long shot). The question you have to ask yourself is, do you want to take a shot at the big one or just have a good time.
Redfish
The reds have been real shy and spooky in Cocoa Beach. We are seeing a good number it is just a matter of what mood they are in from day to day. As many of you know I follow a barometer to determine where, how and if I fish. Well over the years I have learned one thing when it comes to winter, Don't follow the barometer. I have had days we just slammed the reds in the winter when the pressure was so high I would have canceled a trip if it had been summer. I have also had days the the fishing stunk and the pressure was perfect. It is all hit and miss with it so my advice is don't even look.
On days when the reds have been willing to play we have had our best luck with High Roller's Black and Gold 3 inch Fingerling. Because these reds have been so spooky we have had to make long cast and work this swim bait real slow. You have to let them find the lure. If you are to aggressive with your retrieve you will spook them off.
On the same days we have been able to get the reds to feed we have also been having good luck with these EP flies.
Olive Suspended Shrimp
Gray Bay Anchovy
Pinfish
I have been throwing these flies for some time now and have fallen in love with them. The are great for people who sometimes have a hard time with larger flies because the EP fiber doesn't hold water like most other flies. If you have a hard time finding these flies give the guys at the Fly Fisherman a call and they can hook you up. There number is 321-267-0348. They have a great selection of EP flies and tying material.
As for where we are finding most of our fish, most have been in shallow water near drop offs. If you can find bait you'll find the reds nearby.
Trout
Trout fishing has been slow. We have picked up a few fish but not really enough to write a report about. The only thing I can say is that it wont be much longer. A good winter time trick I like is BIG Topwater plugs in shallow water. This is something I know that there are a lot of nonbelievers out there but I can promise you this, Once you do it you will never want to fish winter time trout any other way. What I do is get a rod you can throw at least 200 feet with. I have a 10'6" G-loomis Noodle rod rigged with 8 pound test. Put about a 4 foot 20 pound fluorocarbon leader on with a blood knot. Then I use a 6.5 Rip Roller in Florida Special as my weapon of choice. Then find a sheltered flat with deep water nearby that is holding bait. Stay on the outside of the flat and make long casts onto the flat. The key is tap it hard but let it sit for a good 20 seconds before taping it again. Keep in mind that when the water is cold trout don't want to use very much energy to catch their meals. They also want the most bang for the buck when it comes to what they eat. I have caught trout up to 15 lbs doing this. It isn't good for a day if your looking for numbers, but it is great for hooking a gator or two if you put in the time.
Everything else
There are still a good number of 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.
For the locals
Just a note about our local Fly Shop, The Fly Fisherman in Titusville.
They have just about rapped up their remodeling and have increased their inventory with all the supplies we need to feed our habits. They have a huge selection of G-loomis rods, the new Ross fly reels and pliers, tons of new flies and tying materials, the new SA redfish taper, a nice shipment of new Hobie Kayaks, a lot more spinning rods and reels and much more.
The Fly fisherman is now also hosting a Thursday Night Social from 6 pm till 8 pm. This is a great time for you to talk to some of the locals about what they've been using to catch fish, learn a few new fly patterns and get to know a few people with our passion for fishing. Give John or Rich a call for more info at 321-267-0348.
until next time.....
Get out there and catch a memory.
Capt. Doug Blanton
To book a trip with Capt Doug click here or call 321-432-9470
Cocoa Beach Fishing Guide
Back to Capt Doug's home page
Videos taken on my charters
Pictures of fish caught on my charters
Cocoa Beach Fishing guide
Here is the "Inshore Flats Kit" High Roller put together with my favorite High Roller Lures. This is a must for redfish, trout, snook and tarpon. Click on this link for more information on High Rollers Inshore Flats Kit.
Places to find the lures I use.
On the internet click here or call 321-728-1615
In Titusville go to the Fly Fisherman phone 321-267-0348
Please Visit Our Sponsors:
My Fishing Tips
barometric pressure.
Tips of catching Tarpon
Tips for catching redfish in Cold Water
My Seafood Recipes
Tackle I use. rods, lures and more
Factors that affect fishing
How to Catch Gator Sea Trout
Choosing the right lures.
Sight fishing flat, clear, skinny water
Sight catching fish with Top Water
Links to weather forecasts I use
Weather.com
NOAA
Intellicast
Tropical Atlantic Satellite
Gulf of Mexico Satellite
Weather Underground
U.S. Naval Observatory
FNMOC Wave Forecasting
National Data Buoy
Flats Report for Cocoa Beach & Titusville areas
January 6, 2006 fishing report by Capt Doug Blanton
Happy New year! As I sit here writing this report I can't help but think about 2005 and all the things I have to be thankful for. Besides my family's health and and the roof over my head I am thankful for all of you that have fished with me this past year and helped me to live my dream of being a guide. I am also thankful for all of you I have had a chance to meet and talk about fishing at the docks and in the fly shop. It has also been great hearing from those of you who trusted the advice I gave you about the tackle I have found that works. I love here the stories about catching fish.
I would also like to thank the guys at High Roller and G-loomis for making such great products. I know we would have never put the fish we did this past year in the boat if they didn't make such great products.
Well before I start to sound like I'm accepting some award I want to give you a snapshot of 2005's redfish statistics. As you can see this year was a great year for reds. You can also see just how bad the cold front hurt us in late October. I hope you find this info useful. I am in the process of posting a statistic page at www.sightfishing.com/statistic.html
Current fishing report
Well once again we are riding the rollercoaster. Every winter we only have 2 types of trips in Cocoa Beach. The good, the slow and the painful. Well maybe it's not that bad but when I look at what's around the corner in February it feels that way. The reds are here. We even have some big boys on our flats. I just can't tell you what your day is going to be like from day to day. One day we will hook into numerous great fish. the next they wont even look at your bait. The only thing that keeps us going is the chance of hooking that big one and all the winter time fish that pass through.
If your just looking for a tight line and want to here drag we do have a good number of ladyfish (poor mans tarpon), blues, jacks, Spanish mackerel, Flounder, pompano and a few others around. We have even seen a few tarpon (this is a long shot). The question you have to ask yourself is, do you want to take a shot at the big one or just have a good time.
Redfish
The reds have been real shy and spooky in Cocoa Beach. We are seeing a good number it is just a matter of what mood they are in from day to day. As many of you know I follow a barometer to determine where, how and if I fish. Well over the years I have learned one thing when it comes to winter, Don't follow the barometer. I have had days we just slammed the reds in the winter when the pressure was so high I would have canceled a trip if it had been summer. I have also had days the the fishing stunk and the pressure was perfect. It is all hit and miss with it so my advice is don't even look.
On days when the reds have been willing to play we have had our best luck with High Roller's Black and Gold 3 inch Fingerling. Because these reds have been so spooky we have had to make long cast and work this swim bait real slow. You have to let them find the lure. If you are to aggressive with your retrieve you will spook them off.
On the same days we have been able to get the reds to feed we have also been having good luck with these EP flies.
Olive Suspended Shrimp
Gray Bay Anchovy
Pinfish
I have been throwing these flies for some time now and have fallen in love with them. The are great for people who sometimes have a hard time with larger flies because the EP fiber doesn't hold water like most other flies. If you have a hard time finding these flies give the guys at the Fly Fisherman a call and they can hook you up. There number is 321-267-0348. They have a great selection of EP flies and tying material.
As for where we are finding most of our fish, most have been in shallow water near drop offs. If you can find bait you'll find the reds nearby.
Trout
Trout fishing has been slow. We have picked up a few fish but not really enough to write a report about. The only thing I can say is that it wont be much longer. A good winter time trick I like is BIG Topwater plugs in shallow water. This is something I know that there are a lot of nonbelievers out there but I can promise you this, Once you do it you will never want to fish winter time trout any other way. What I do is get a rod you can throw at least 200 feet with. I have a 10'6" G-loomis Noodle rod rigged with 8 pound test. Put about a 4 foot 20 pound fluorocarbon leader on with a blood knot. Then I use a 6.5 Rip Roller in Florida Special as my weapon of choice. Then find a sheltered flat with deep water nearby that is holding bait. Stay on the outside of the flat and make long casts onto the flat. The key is tap it hard but let it sit for a good 20 seconds before taping it again. Keep in mind that when the water is cold trout don't want to use very much energy to catch their meals. They also want the most bang for the buck when it comes to what they eat. I have caught trout up to 15 lbs doing this. It isn't good for a day if your looking for numbers, but it is great for hooking a gator or two if you put in the time.
Everything else
There are still a good number of 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.
For the locals
Just a note about our local Fly Shop, The Fly Fisherman in Titusville.
They have just about rapped up their remodeling and have increased their inventory with all the supplies we need to feed our habits. They have a huge selection of G-loomis rods, the new Ross fly reels and pliers, tons of new flies and tying materials, the new SA redfish taper, a nice shipment of new Hobie Kayaks, a lot more spinning rods and reels and much more.
The Fly fisherman is now also hosting a Thursday Night Social from 6 pm till 8 pm. This is a great time for you to talk to some of the locals about what they've been using to catch fish, learn a few new fly patterns and get to know a few people with our passion for fishing. Give John or Rich a call for more info at 321-267-0348.
until next time.....
Get out there and catch a memory.
Capt. Doug Blanton
To book a trip with Capt Doug click here or call 321-432-9470
Cocoa Beach Fishing Guide
Back to Capt Doug's home page
Videos taken on my charters
Pictures of fish caught on my charters
Cocoa Beach Fishing guide
Here is the "Inshore Flats Kit" High Roller put together with my favorite High Roller Lures. This is a must for redfish, trout, snook and tarpon. Click on this link for more information on High Rollers Inshore Flats Kit.
Places to find the lures I use.
On the internet click here or call 321-728-1615
In Titusville go to the Fly Fisherman phone 321-267-0348
Please Visit Our Sponsors:
My Fishing Tips
barometric pressure.
Tips of catching Tarpon
Tips for catching redfish in Cold Water
My Seafood Recipes
Tackle I use. rods, lures and more
Factors that affect fishing
How to Catch Gator Sea Trout
Choosing the right lures.
Sight fishing flat, clear, skinny water
Sight catching fish with Top Water
Links to weather forecasts I use
Weather.com
NOAA
Intellicast
Tropical Atlantic Satellite
Gulf of Mexico Satellite
Weather Underground
U.S. Naval Observatory
FNMOC Wave Forecasting
National Data Buoy
