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Our usual "sweet spot" on the calendar couldn't be sweeter most days.
Unless you're trying to grow grass or maybe take the crunch out of the grass you already have, it's been close to perfect. Even better for those who like to toss a line hither and yon.
And if you're a believer in such things, it should continue for another 10 or 12 days. That's right, bubba, we're waxing and we're gonna keep waxing for a bit.
You may have noticed, we're big on moons around here. The next full one will be the Flower Moon, May 12. Until then, we're in Waxing Crescent phase, followed by the Waxing Gibbous that waxes us right up to May 12. (Gib who? It's Latin for "hump.")
Why important? Because the opposite of waxing is waning, which we'll get for some 14 days after the full moon, and for fishing purposes, waxing is better than waning.
Another why? Because everything is ramping up as the moon starts to fill. Tides are building, currents are strengthening, and therefore the fish — including the quality catches — are downright giddy at all the baitfish being blown around throughout the water columns.
On paper, anyway.
As they say after such fishing proclamations, it wouldn't take much effort to find an angling contrarian who prefers waning to waxing and new to full. And yes, it goes without saying, most of us wouldn't know a Gibbous if it jumped over our gunwale or onto our dock.
Tarpon season is starting to bubble up, and they’ll become a big target in the weeks ahead.
Until then, anglers will keep concentrating on catches they can actually eat.
“The trout bite is still strong, from Flagler to Ponce Inlet,” says Capt. Billy Pettigrew (RedfishTails.com).
Capt. Billy specializes in redfish and says they’ve been available in skinny water early in the morning, then going deeper as the sun gets higher. He’s been alternating between shrimp and crab for bait.
We’re also in that time of year when you can damn near catch a jack with an empty hook.
“They’re all over the place,” says Capt. Jeff Patterson (Pole Dancer).
Good thing, too, he says, because there have unexpectedly been a few slow hours on the water this week. Nothing thrills a paying customer quite like the fight of a jack that famously punches way above its weight.
Capt. Jeff says he got into a school of reds at the inlet earlier this week and landed a pair of mid-slotters.
“And then the school was gone as quick as they showed up,” he said.
He also says he’s been getting at least one quality flounder each trip.
Blake Abbey reports plenty of largemouth bass action in the waters near the Tomoka Boat Club (where U.S. 1 crosses the river in Ormond Beach.
“The fish are in post-spawn and hitting topwater baits in the mornings and evenings,” Blake says. “The snook bite is also very strong around U.S. 1. Lots of them schooling up.”
He suggests using a lipless crank bait or paddle tail.
Haley Stephens, co-owner of the Sea Spirit with her husband, Capt. Nic, says she’s been at the SEDAR meetings this week in Charleston, S.C.
SEDAR?
That’s Southeast Data, Assessment and Review. From that weeklong session will eventually come news of date(s) for this year’s South Atlantic red snapper season. Or maybe news of no date at all.
Across the way, on Florida’s left coast, Gov. Ron Desantis this week threw open the doors on 126 days of fishing for red snapper in the Gulf. Those 126 days will begin Memorial Day weekend, continue through all of June and July, then be parceled out here and there from Sept. 1 until after Christmas.
The reminder as to why the difference: The state makes the rules for the Gulf, while the feds control the Atlantic from the three-mile mark to as far as the GPS can see — which is basically where the snapper live. In big bunches, too.
Meanwhile, Haley says, the Sea Spirit has been taking advantage of this run of quality fishing weather.
“We call it ‘locals season.’ The fishing is usually decent, the weather isn’t too hot yet, and the traffic on the water is typically lighter than when summer vacation begins,” she says.
A recent highlight …
“We had a guest land an awesome 29-pound blackfin tuna last week,” she says. “He didn’t have any type of special tackle or gear — he caught it using the standard rod-and-reel we provide.”
Some are beginning to wonder if the thick pompano migration is coming, or if it will continue in dribs and drabs. Usually by now the northbound wagon train has started, and some years it’s already come and gone by now.
“They’re around, but not in abundance,” says the man who closely monitors such things, Marco Pompano.
What has arrived is seaweed, which is mucking up otherwise wonderful near-shore conditions.
“The water is green-blue — beautiful,” Marco says.
As for the possibility of a late-arriving pompano onslaught?
“I’m optimistic. I’m still waiting on the main load,” Marco says.
Panfish season begins to ramp up this time of year. Specks can be found year-round (sometimes shallow, sometimes deep), but when the weather warms the wealth is spread around and includes bluegill, warmouth and, if you’re lucky, shellcracker.
They all fall under the “sunfish” category, and if you can’t catch a sunfish during this extended run of cloudless days, you might as well go bowling.
Oh, by the way, some news about the fish that made the St. Johns famous …
“The bass fishing is red-hot right now,” Capt. Bryn Adams says from Highland Park Fish Camp in DeLand. “A lot of schooling action going on right now. Wild shiners and artificials are working.”
We want to see your most recent catch. Email your fish photos to [email protected].
Please include first and last name of angler(s), as well as type of fish (we're occasionally stumped).
You can find all the license info, including exemptions, on Florida's Fish and Wildlife Commission website: MyFWC.com. But the basics are: No: If you're 65 or older, 15 or younger, you don't need a license. “Probably” Not: If you're fishing with a licensed guide or charter boat, both of which often purchase commercial licenses that cover their customers. Yes: Most everyone else, including visitors from other states. Yes: Even if you're a shore-based angler (shoreline, dock, pier, bridge, etc.), and even if fishing with a shore-based guide. However: The shore-based license is free . . . But: You still need to register for that free license.
Many bait shops sell licenses, as do the bigger retailers (Bass, Dick's, Walmart, etc.). Florida's FWC uses a third-party site for buying or renewing fishing licenses: GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. The cost: $17 for an annual license. Don't forget: Whether you're fishing fresh or saltwater, you need the specific license. Freshwater and saltwater licenses are both $17 annually.
Yes you do, and they're also available at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or certain bait shops and big retailers. Cost: $17 for three days, $30 for seven days, $47 for a year. Also: Non-residents need to purchase that license even if they're just fishing from shoreline or shore-based structures. (Florida residents need that license, too, but they're free.)
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Reds, snook, panfish among quality catches in Indian River, St. Johns
Continue reading...
Unless you're trying to grow grass or maybe take the crunch out of the grass you already have, it's been close to perfect. Even better for those who like to toss a line hither and yon.
And if you're a believer in such things, it should continue for another 10 or 12 days. That's right, bubba, we're waxing and we're gonna keep waxing for a bit.
You must be registered for see images attach
You may have noticed, we're big on moons around here. The next full one will be the Flower Moon, May 12. Until then, we're in Waxing Crescent phase, followed by the Waxing Gibbous that waxes us right up to May 12. (Gib who? It's Latin for "hump.")
Why important? Because the opposite of waxing is waning, which we'll get for some 14 days after the full moon, and for fishing purposes, waxing is better than waning.
Another why? Because everything is ramping up as the moon starts to fill. Tides are building, currents are strengthening, and therefore the fish — including the quality catches — are downright giddy at all the baitfish being blown around throughout the water columns.
You must be registered for see images attach
On paper, anyway.
As they say after such fishing proclamations, it wouldn't take much effort to find an angling contrarian who prefers waning to waxing and new to full. And yes, it goes without saying, most of us wouldn't know a Gibbous if it jumped over our gunwale or onto our dock.
Halifax/Indian River
Tarpon season is starting to bubble up, and they’ll become a big target in the weeks ahead.
Until then, anglers will keep concentrating on catches they can actually eat.
“The trout bite is still strong, from Flagler to Ponce Inlet,” says Capt. Billy Pettigrew (RedfishTails.com).
You must be registered for see images attach
Capt. Billy specializes in redfish and says they’ve been available in skinny water early in the morning, then going deeper as the sun gets higher. He’s been alternating between shrimp and crab for bait.
We’re also in that time of year when you can damn near catch a jack with an empty hook.
“They’re all over the place,” says Capt. Jeff Patterson (Pole Dancer).
Good thing, too, he says, because there have unexpectedly been a few slow hours on the water this week. Nothing thrills a paying customer quite like the fight of a jack that famously punches way above its weight.
Capt. Jeff says he got into a school of reds at the inlet earlier this week and landed a pair of mid-slotters.
“And then the school was gone as quick as they showed up,” he said.
He also says he’s been getting at least one quality flounder each trip.
Tomoka River
You must be registered for see images attach
Blake Abbey reports plenty of largemouth bass action in the waters near the Tomoka Boat Club (where U.S. 1 crosses the river in Ormond Beach.
“The fish are in post-spawn and hitting topwater baits in the mornings and evenings,” Blake says. “The snook bite is also very strong around U.S. 1. Lots of them schooling up.”
He suggests using a lipless crank bait or paddle tail.
Offshore
Haley Stephens, co-owner of the Sea Spirit with her husband, Capt. Nic, says she’s been at the SEDAR meetings this week in Charleston, S.C.
SEDAR?
That’s Southeast Data, Assessment and Review. From that weeklong session will eventually come news of date(s) for this year’s South Atlantic red snapper season. Or maybe news of no date at all.
You must be registered for see images attach
Across the way, on Florida’s left coast, Gov. Ron Desantis this week threw open the doors on 126 days of fishing for red snapper in the Gulf. Those 126 days will begin Memorial Day weekend, continue through all of June and July, then be parceled out here and there from Sept. 1 until after Christmas.
The reminder as to why the difference: The state makes the rules for the Gulf, while the feds control the Atlantic from the three-mile mark to as far as the GPS can see — which is basically where the snapper live. In big bunches, too.
Meanwhile, Haley says, the Sea Spirit has been taking advantage of this run of quality fishing weather.
“We call it ‘locals season.’ The fishing is usually decent, the weather isn’t too hot yet, and the traffic on the water is typically lighter than when summer vacation begins,” she says.
A recent highlight …
“We had a guest land an awesome 29-pound blackfin tuna last week,” she says. “He didn’t have any type of special tackle or gear — he caught it using the standard rod-and-reel we provide.”
You must be registered for see images attach
Surf
Some are beginning to wonder if the thick pompano migration is coming, or if it will continue in dribs and drabs. Usually by now the northbound wagon train has started, and some years it’s already come and gone by now.
“They’re around, but not in abundance,” says the man who closely monitors such things, Marco Pompano.
What has arrived is seaweed, which is mucking up otherwise wonderful near-shore conditions.
“The water is green-blue — beautiful,” Marco says.
As for the possibility of a late-arriving pompano onslaught?
“I’m optimistic. I’m still waiting on the main load,” Marco says.
St. Johns
You must be registered for see images attach
Panfish season begins to ramp up this time of year. Specks can be found year-round (sometimes shallow, sometimes deep), but when the weather warms the wealth is spread around and includes bluegill, warmouth and, if you’re lucky, shellcracker.
They all fall under the “sunfish” category, and if you can’t catch a sunfish during this extended run of cloudless days, you might as well go bowling.
Oh, by the way, some news about the fish that made the St. Johns famous …
“The bass fishing is red-hot right now,” Capt. Bryn Adams says from Highland Park Fish Camp in DeLand. “A lot of schooling action going on right now. Wild shiners and artificials are working.”
Hook, line and clicker: Send us your fish pics
We want to see your most recent catch. Email your fish photos to [email protected].
Please include first and last name of angler(s), as well as type of fish (we're occasionally stumped).
Do I need a fishing license?
You can find all the license info, including exemptions, on Florida's Fish and Wildlife Commission website: MyFWC.com. But the basics are: No: If you're 65 or older, 15 or younger, you don't need a license. “Probably” Not: If you're fishing with a licensed guide or charter boat, both of which often purchase commercial licenses that cover their customers. Yes: Most everyone else, including visitors from other states. Yes: Even if you're a shore-based angler (shoreline, dock, pier, bridge, etc.), and even if fishing with a shore-based guide. However: The shore-based license is free . . . But: You still need to register for that free license.
Where do I get a license and what does it cost?
Many bait shops sell licenses, as do the bigger retailers (Bass, Dick's, Walmart, etc.). Florida's FWC uses a third-party site for buying or renewing fishing licenses: GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. The cost: $17 for an annual license. Don't forget: Whether you're fishing fresh or saltwater, you need the specific license. Freshwater and saltwater licenses are both $17 annually.
I’m here on vacation, do I need a license?
Yes you do, and they're also available at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or certain bait shops and big retailers. Cost: $17 for three days, $30 for seven days, $47 for a year. Also: Non-residents need to purchase that license even if they're just fishing from shoreline or shore-based structures. (Florida residents need that license, too, but they're free.)
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Reds, snook, panfish among quality catches in Indian River, St. Johns
Continue reading...
