Capt. Doug Blanton's Cocoa Beach Fishing Report
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Flats Report for Cocoa Beach & Titusville areas
December 30th, 2011 fishing report by Capt Doug Blanton
Summary
WOW what a difference a little cooler water can make. As many of you know our river has looked something like pea soup for months. We have been in one of the worst algae blooms I can remember in over 40 years of fishing this area. The cooler temps at night have cleared our rivers up a little but the biggest thing has been how the bight has turned on. There are a few big reds out there but there have been a lot of the smaller slot size fish on the flats. The other fish we are catching a lot of or bigger trout. In the past week I don't think we have put but a handful of trout under 20 inches. The other cool thing has been we are catching them on everything. Just last week we had a day where we boated 16 reds and over 20 trout all on fly. So if your looking for a time to go fishing now is the time.
Redfish
The redfish bite has turned on. The cooler water has many of them starting to school up and they have been willing to eat almost everything you through at them. Since the water is still pretty cloudy most have come while blind casting but it hasn't been to hard with most of the fish schooled up in less than a foot. All you have to do is look for spooky bait and work the outside edge of the schools.
When I say we have been catching them on almost everything I mean everything. I don't know if it is the cloudy water or that they are on a feed but you can work top water, jigs, grubs or whatever you have the most of and catch fish. Now for the bigger reds they seam to like something with a little lighter color to it. It is probably because they can see it a little better. On fly the fly of choice has been tan and white clousers.
Almost all the fish we have been catching have been in less than a foot and close to schools of bait. When you find a school of spooky mullet try to anchor off and spend some time working the edges of the bait. We did that a few days and caught. 5 or 6 in the same place.
Trout
The trout fishing has been on fire and it not just little schoolies ether. Most of the trout we have caught have been at or just over the 20 inch upper limit. Just like the reds most have been willing to eat just about anything to through at them. Also just like the reds they have all been in less than a foot and holding around the schools of bait.
Tarpon
The tarpon fishing has been getting better and better every day. Most have still only willing to take a fly but on a good day we have had a few that would eat small tan grubs.
Other stuff
Autism Support
As many of you know I have been working with a Autism Support Group here in Central Florida for some time now. I have set up an account where I will donate a porsion of all my charters to Autism Caregivers Connect. They are a local autism support group that helps families and children with autism. If you would like more information about this support group please go to their website at www.ACCBrevard.org.
Inox Lubes
As a few of you know from time to time I find a new product that I fall in love. Well I have found on that everyone needs. Inox. If your alive and do anything this is a product you will have a use for. It does everything from liberate to stop corrosion. I have used it on my boat, reels, fly line (the best dressing I have ever used), trailer, electrical, garbage disposal, electric razor, fans, lights, wheel bearings, guns and anything else that will sit still long enough. The two best things about it is how long it lasts and that it is a green product. None of their products are made from petroleum and won't harm the environment. Inox has been around for over 20 years in Australia but has only been here in the US for a few months. I loved it so much I have started to rep for their US distributor. If you want more info on their products click here. Buy Inox online
Lanyards
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
To book a trip with Capt Doug click here or call 321-432-9470
Pictures of fish caught on my charters
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.
In Titusville go to the Fly Fisherman or call 321-267-0348
My Fishing Tips
Tips for catching redfish in Cold Water
Tackle I use. rods, lures and more
Sight fishing flat, clear, skinny water
Sight catching fish with Top Water
Links to weather forecasts I use
Here's one for all you that I have convinced their is a science to fishing.