Cape Canaveral to Sebastian Inlet
Beth Sinclair
November 14, 2007
Melbourne - Saltwater Fishing Report
Florida Surf Fishing Report for:
Cape Canaveral to Sebastian Inlet
Red tide is upon us here in Brevard County which makes venturing down to the beach somewhat aggrivating. While we aren't seeing fish kills and aren't having the most severe reactions to the toxins in the air, expect to get a sore throat and have a cough before you leave the beach.
Fish don't seem to appreciate the algae bloom either as catches have been off these last few days, despite very clean water conditions. Sargassum weed is also coming in and can make trouble for anglers, however the flotsam has subsided considerably in the last two days.
Pompano are being reported south of Sebastian Inlet, which might also indicate a lower concentration of troublesome red algae along Indian River County beaches. A few pompano are making a show north of Sebastian Inlet as well. Palometa, a relative of the Florida pompano, are fairly abundant along beaches between Patrick AFB and Melbourne Beach. These fish, while just as tasty as the pompano, are much smaller and often over-looked as table fare. Sheepshead, black drum and whiting are also being reported consistently though many of the drum are under-sized and must be released. Snook and redfish catches have slowed along beaches, with only occasional fish being found. Most of the redfish being caught are slot-sized, however, and are hitting a variety of natural baits. Few slot-sized snook are being landed.
Sandfleas are difficult to come by, though a few can be found in the white wash for persistent anglers. Try fresh cut clam or shrimp instead for the whiting, drum, sheepshead and pompano.
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