Capt. Doug Blanton's Cocoa Beach Fishing Report
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Flats Report for Cocoa Beach & Titusville areas
June 13th, 2008 fishing report by Capt Doug Blanton
Summary
The afternoon thunderstorms have improved the fishing here in Cocoa Beach. We now have a few nice schools of big reds starting to work our flats. We also have a good number of larger trout starting to move into the shallow water in the early mornings following the schools of bait. There have also been a good number of snook and tarpon starting to work the docks just before sunrise. We also have flats with a lot of small jacks and big ladyfish feeding on the drop-offs. So to sum it up, we have a lot of things going on in Cocoa Beach. Depending on what you want to catch and how much action you want there is something for everyone.
Redfish
There are some nice schools of redfish working the flats in Cocoa Beach. In the early morning we have been able to tease a few into eating top water. It has been a game of finding them before they know you are on the flat and making long casts and working the edge of the school. Once they become aware you are there we have had or best luck with weedless soft plastics like the 4 inch Molting Shad by Bass Assassin. With top water our best catches have come on the 3.25 Florida Special High Roller.
On fly we have been putting more fish in the boat with EP baitfish flies in the early mornings and Slower moving flies like the Redfish Toad or Capt. John Tarr's Sexy Slider in the afternoon. We have been putting a few more fish in the boat with fly than spinning when it comes to sight casting because of the softer presentation with a more aggressive cast. Once these fish know you are on the flat they have become very spooky.
Most of the fish we have boated this week has been in the early mornings on days with little to no wind. The reds have been holding most morning in less than a foot and have been doing what I call a wimpy tail. That is they have only been lifting their backs or the tips of their tails out of the water. This can be a little more difficult to see and tell the difference between reds and mullet so you want to pole or wade very slow and watch everything. If you make any noise or sudden movements they will spook and get lock jaw. In the event they do blow out on you watch where they go and let the settle down before trying to get a second shot.
Trout
The trout bite has really improved over the past few weeks. Many of the larger trout are starting to cruse the flats in search of their next meal. We have had our best luck in the early mornings and late afternoons with these gators. I have said many times, if you want big trout you need big baits. When I'm fishing for these girls I don't fish anything less than a 4 inch lure. I also look for flats with big baits lie mullet and needlefish. These fish do not like to work for a meal. When they eat they want something that is going to fill them up for a bit. Think of it like this, finger foods are nice but when your hungry you want something that is going to stick to your ribs and your not going to be hungry in a half an hour. The same goes for most big fish except tarpon and snook.
All of our big trout have been caught on the 4.25 Florida Special and Green Back High Roller. The depth has varied a bit from day to day. It has all been about where the larger bait is. Most days it has been less than a foot but we have had a few days when they were all holding closer to the drop offs.
Tarpon and Snook
As the water warms up the snook and tarpon start feeding more and more during the pre dawn hours. We have caught some nice fish a hour or two before sunrise hanging around the dock lights in Cocoa Beach. It has all been about finding glass minnows or small mullet in these areas.
We have had our best luck with small glass minnow flies like the EP Glass Minnow of fly or the Yozuri 3D Minnow on spinning. On most days the difference between catching and being skunked with the snook as all been about placing the lure under the dock and bringing it out into the light. If this isn't a cast you are use to you need to practice in your front yard before getting out. The reason I say this is because once you hook the dock or mangrove it is over in that spot.
When it comes to working these areas for tarpon just look a foot or more outside of the docks. We have had a lot of the smaller 10 to 40 pound fish out there every morning. These fish are a little more frustrating than the snook. But anyone who has fished river tarpon already know about this. I tell people all the time that I can watch the grass grow and have a good time doing it. I don't know if that is enough patience for tarpon. I have found that tarpon have two states of mind when it comes to feeding. Their ether turned on or off. If you find them on, milk it for everything you can.
I also have some more good news for those looking for larger fish. The big boys are just off shore for those who want to hook into a battle. If your wanting to do something like this let me know. I have a different way of fishing these fish. I catch 90% of my fish on Top Water.
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
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
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