Space Coast fishing: Saharan dust not a factor in tarpon, snapper action

Ed Killer, Florida Today
·4 min read

Hazy, hot conditions have been the norm this week throughout the Space Coast. Kids may have headed back to school, too. But none of this has calmed the bite for tarpon, both in the lagoons and along the beaches, snapper on the reefs or snook around structure like dock pilings and jetties.

It's still a few weeks before the fall mullet run begins in earnest, but when it does, expect predators like jacks, sharks, tarpon, mackerel, redfish, snook, trout and more to become energized.

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A customer with Fin & Fly Charters in Cocoa Beach caught this nice gag grouper July 31, 2022.
A customer with Fin & Fly Charters in Cocoa Beach caught this nice gag grouper July 31, 2022.

Closures & regulations changes in effect: Anglers are reminded about these fishery harvest closures currently underway and ones about to begin and end.

  • Redfish: Harvest of redfish is banned in the Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon beginning Sept. 1.

  • Alligator: Hunt season open Aug. 15-Nov. 1. Permits required.

  • Snook: Season opens statewide Sept. 1.

  • Lobster: Regular season opened Aug. 6.

  • Dolphin: New fishing regulations began May 1 for state waters. Bag limit is now 5 fish per day per angler; Vessel limit is now 30 fish per day. Captain & crew may not be included in limit.

  • Grouper: Shallow water grouper season is open May 1 through Dec. 31. That includes gag grouper, red grouper, scamp and six other lesser species.

  • Hogfish: Harvest of hogfish is open May 1 through Oct. 31, 2022 in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida.

  • Tilefish: A commercial fishing closure is in place beginning July 6 until Dec. 31, 2022.

  • Bass: Bass at Headwaters Lake will soon become all catch and release.

For complete fishing regulations in Florida go to MyFWC.com.

Mosquito Lagoon

Anglers are catching snook here using live shrimp, artificial shrimp and cut bait. Redfish, speckled trout and black drum can be caught on live shrimp either freelined or fished under a popping cork around the islands and shorelines.

Offshore

Grouper can be caught in 120 to 160 feet of water along ledges. Catch and release red snapper and greater amberjack are in the same zone. Have a descending device on deck ready for use if grouper fishing. IN 70-100 feet of water, mangrove snapper and lane snapper are being caught when the current allows. Use dead sardines or cut grunts to get hooked up. Tarpon, kingfish, cobia and sharks are in 30-60 feet of water and around bait schools.

Surf

This zone is pretty much a disaster. Seaweed and slime grass have plagued beaches the last several weeks. Anglers can try searching different beaches to see if tides have helped at certain spots, but they change daily. By and large, this zone will best be left alone until the seaweed subsides.

Sebastian Inlet

The inlet has featured two totally different fisheries for anglers. At the jetties, fishing has been challenged by mats of seaweed washing in from offshore. It has been hard to keep a line in the water where redfish and snapper have been caught. The beaches have also been plagued by sargassum making surf fishing here impossible. Better fishing can be had at the A1A catwalks. Snapper are biting on cut mojarra and live shrimp during the outgoing tide. There is a mixed bag of catches at the T-dock and from the rocks on the north side.

Indian River Lagoon

The best action this week has been in areas that offer depth changes and features like channels and cuts. Fish shoals and sand bars on shoreline points where there may be 2 feet of water on top of the flat and a drop-off or cut adjacent to it. This is where speckled trout, redfish and black drum will settle in. Start with topwater lures early in the morning and switch to jerk baits or artificial shrimp as the morning heats up and sun gets higher. Small tarpon are also in the channels as well as jacks and ladyfish.

Freshwater

Dry conditions persist throughout the St. Johns River system creating a change in fishing patterns at places like Lake Poinsett which is well below its usual August stage. Fish will concentrate in bodies of water such as this off the edges where they can no longer bed.

Ed Killer is florida today's outdoors writer.  Friend Ed on Facebook at Ed Killer, follow him on Twitter @tcpalmekiller or email him at ed.killer@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Space Coast anglers can catch tarpon, snapper & snook