Cold Ocean Water Temperatures
Capt. Rob Ottlein
July 9, 2008
Flagler Beach - Saltwater Fishing Report
The waters ocean water temperatures in the Volusia/Flagler area plummeted form 85 degrees to 70 degrees in the past few weeks. This is caused by a phenomenon known as an upwelling. The upwelling is caused by steady and lengthly west winds. It draws up colder bottom water dropping the overall water temp.
The colder water will just about shut down the offshore, surf and the inland waters around Matanzas inlet. It also has a big effect on ocean migrating fish such as tarpon, king mackerel, cobia and some of the reef dwellers.
The inshore waters farther from the inlet are not really affected by the colder water. The west wind pushes the water out to the ocean significantly lowering the water levels. this makes it very difficult to access the backwaters and concentrates the fish to the deeper waters of the ICW.
Before the blow the fishing was good. The last charter I had out before the winds had trout up to 4 lbs and snook to 30". They also lost a 20 lb tarpon and a red that was over 30".
Last week I fly fished for 2 days and could only muster a 10" snook. I ahd numerous other hits but the fish just wouldn't take the fly. I also had tarpon up to 40 lbs rolling around my boat but I find them very difficult to land on a fly when they are in deep water. The best bet would be to use live bait when these fish are encountered.
I have also seen some big redfish tailing along the banks of the ICW but for one reason or another I just haven't been able to connect with these fish either.
Hopefully the next report will be better now the the winds have begun to subside.
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