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Fishing Report for Cocoa Beach, Merritt Island & Port Canaveral
Capt. Ron Presley
November 9, 2006
Cocoa Beach - Saltwater Fishing Report
Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach Fishing Report
More Excuses
I hate to say it, but I have been too busy to do much fishing lately. Between fishing shows and a death in the family which resulted in a whirl wind trip to Kansas, there has not been much time for fishing. The past couple of days have been very windy and only relatively productive. On a trip with Bill and Carol, the ladyfish saved the day. Between the two of them they must have hooked a hundred or so. Interestingly, the ladies preferred a white jig head and Rip Tide Super Ayu color (it’s #Z56 in their catalog) Although other combinations worked too it was this one that scored the most fish.
The next day we fished a 4 boat charter on the Banana River. The wind was still blowing and the water temperatures had cooled to below 70 (65-66). On mornings like this, it might be a good idea to just sleep in a couple of hours before hitting the water. Especially on the flats the action does not pick up until the temperature picks up too. Once you see the mullet and other bait fish rising to the top, the predators will also begin to get active.
The first couple of hours was slow but a few fish were put in the boats later. This experience reminds me of how different levels of success can be achieved by different boats on the same day and in similar waters. Two flats boats managed to see lots of reds but only put one in the boat. Their area included a nice school of about 50 slot sized reds. On the “Finding Equilibrium” we managed to catch a variety of fish, including jack crevalle, mangrove snapper, ladyfish, sail cat, and spotted sea trout. The trout were happy to hit on the Rip Tide three inch Mullet with the most productive color being the silver mullet. We also caught a couple of trout on the Rip Tide Watermellon/red flake/red tail. All this “catchin’” was spotty and over a large range of water. By noon we had found some water temperatures just above 70.
When rigging these 3 inch mullet, I like to use the ¼ oz. Rip Tide jig head. After years of fishing plastic baits I strongly prefer the red head over any other. Pay attention to your rigging and make sure the plastic ends up straight. If you pull the hook out too soon, or to late the bait will bend and will not swim correctly. You want it to be nice and straight. These Rip Tide mullet have a great paddle tail that makes the bait “swim” nicely with a steady retrieve. I like to add a flick with my wrist to make it dart from side to side a little. And that’s about all you have to do with these great little baits. If I have a couple of anglers on the boat I usually start out with a light color such as the silver mullet and a dark color such as the watermelon/red flake. If one out performs the other we stick with it for a while.
The 4th boat, a tower boat, had the best day with around a dozen reds and a couple of nice trout. All these came on live mullet or greenies in a little deeper water. Speaking of the tower, my boat goes in next week to have a tower installed. I will try to keep you up to date on the progress and the change it will make in my fishing. My tower will be a telescoping tower that allows you to set and drive at one level or stand and drive when the tower is elevated. I am really looking forward to this new “perspective” from the top of the tower. It will make seeing the fish much easier. If you want to take a look at a demo, visit www.terraceiatowers.com where they have some videos that give you an idea of what the telescoping towers are like.
Other Notes of Interest
The new Gander Mountain store is now open in Lake Mary at the intersection of I4 and Lake Mary Blvd. It is in the Southeast quadrant of the intersection. This is the newest store in the Gander Mountain chain, but not likely the last in Florida. Stop by and check them out.
The last fishing show of 2006 will be this weekend in Orlando. Show hours are between 10 and 6 on Saturday, or 10 and 5 on Sunday at the Central Florida Fair Grounds.
Come by and visit me at Florida Guides Association Booth and let me show you how I rig the Rip Tide lures. You might even be able to pick up a free sample.
As always, you can visit my website at www.inshorefishingadventures.com to view pictures of the fish we catch. That’s what it’s all about. Good fishin’.
Capt. Ron Presley
Phone 321-454-7285
[email protected]
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