Weekly Fishing Report

By CHRIS WALTERS, Daytona Beach News-Journal



Spotlight:
SURFS & PIERS: Excellent

Al Lamonica from Flagler Discount Bait and Tackle said fishing has been outstanding. Anglers are catching a lot of whiting and legal blues. The surf water temperature is averaging around 65 degrees, still a fishable temperature.
George Mroz from Ocean's Bait and Tackle said, "Fishing is Excellent, and big pompano, whiting and redfish are eating at all times of the day. Bill Scanlan caught and released a 40-pound redfish, just one of the many big broomtails that has been landed recently."

OFFSHORE: Good

"The weather has been nasty out there," said Liz Marsh from the Critter Fleet in Ponce Inlet. "We caught a few fish on Sunday, but that is the only day we have been able to get offshore all week."
Walker Holcomb from The Fishin' Store in New Smyrna Beach said fishing conditions have been really tough, but Capt. "Foz" aboard the Predator fished Sunday, managing to catch a few sailfish, small dolphin and a mixed bag of bottom fish.

MOSQUITO LAGOON: Fair

"There are big redfish in Bissitte Bay and trout on the east side of the lagoon," said Karen Coley from Indian Mound Fish Camp. "Anglers are slammin' reds around the Tiger Shoals area."
There are whiting and sheepshead being caught in the main channel of the river, especially on the edges of the deeper holes. Finger mullet are still schooling, but the cold weather has them a bit spooky and lethargic.

INDIAN RIVER: Good

Ira Loveday from Loveday's Bait and Tackle in New Smyrna Beach said, "Fishing in the Indian River is going strong, especially around Scottsmoor. There are more trout than you can shake a stick at, but of course you can't keep them because they are out of season. Anglers are having great luck with a lure called the Excalibur Spittin' Image. Any color will work, just jerk it a couple of times and let it sit."
Loveday fished during the week, catching and releasing more than 70 fish, including reds, trout and flounder.

PONCE INLET AREA: Fair

Loveday said flounder, sheepshead and black drum holding in the rocks around both jetties. Some of the flounder are doormat size and will readily eat dead or live mullet.
Charlie Forgraves from the Bait Shack in Port Orange said, "Fishermen are finding good-sized flounder and black drum in Spruce Creek, especially on the drop-offs and curves. Anglers should use dead shrimp for the drum and finger mullet for the flounder."

HALIFAX RIVER: Poor

Bob Avens from the Fishin' Hole in Daytona Beach said fishing has been quiet, but a few fishermen are finding drum and sheepshead around the bridges.
Forgraves said, "The water is crystal clear, but fishing is on the slow side. Folks fishing in the early morning are catching a few mangos and sheepshead. Flounder are holding around the creek mouths."

TOMOKA BASIN AREA: Poor

Fred Pomar from Granada Pier Bait and Tackle in Ormond Beach said anglers are finding good numbers of black drum in the feeder creeks during the early-morning hours.
Paul Kelly from Tomoka Tradin' Post said, "The weather is absolutely horrible. The basin has been nearly as rough as the ocean, with white caps rolling constantly. Fishermen have been catching black drum and redfish in the deeper holes, but overall finding fish has been difficult."

MATANZAS INLET AREA: Fair

Lamonica said anglers are finding decent numbers of sheepshead, flounder and black drum in the main river and around the Matanzas Bridge.
Jay Chesser from Devil's Elbow Fish Camp said, "Bluefish and whiting are all over the inlet. There are large black drum and sheepshead around the rocks at Rattlesnake Island, and the hole behind the restaurant at Matanzas Inlet is holding large flounder. Redfish and trout are being found in the creeks, but the largest trout are being caught at night around the dock lights."

CENTRAL ST. JOHNS: Fair

Kerry McPherson from South Moon Fish Camp said fishing has been good but largely dependent on the weather. Specks are holding in the deeper holes along the edges of the main river. People should slowly troll jigs or minnows.
Fishing in the lakes has been on the slow side, but anglers are catching 4-5 pound stripers at the jetties on Lake George. Trolling Rat-L-Traps has been the most successful method for those fish.

SOUTH ST. JOHNS: Good

Bill Schroeder from Marina Isle Fish Camp said, "Fishing has been consistent. Anglers are catching plenty of specks on all of the lakes and in the river, but Lake Monroe has been the most productive. Anglers should drift minnows in 7 to 8 feet of water."
Ron Rawlins from Highland Park Fish Camp in DeLand said anglers are finding good numbers of specks in the Norris Dead River. Trolling will lead to a few fish, but vertical jigging with a tube jig has been working best.


To comment on the News-Journal fishing report, send e-mail to jordan.kahn@news-jrnl.com or call (386) 252-1511, Ext. 2798.