Grouper, dolphin and trout fishing is driving Space Coast action on the water
The Kentucky Derby produced its closest race in years. Cinco de Mayo was celebrated by Americans nationwide with free flowing margaritas. The NBA's second round launched with plenty of fanfare and a few surprises.
Space Coast grouper anglers ignored all that. They went offshore and caught some fish.
Fishing from Sebastian Inlet or Port Canaveral, they brought home the groceries by catching plenty of 12-20-pound fish. Gag grouper, the most common grouper caught off our shores, couldn't resist dead sardines and grunts for bait. Plenty of greater amberjack and red snapper (released) were caught, too, along with dolphin for the table.
Enjoy the grouper fishing while you can. Season closes June 15 for recreational anglers. It will re-open May 1, 2025.
Florida fishing regulations and fishing season opening and closing dates:
Gag grouper: Recreational harvest in Atlantic waters will be open May 1 through June 15, 2024. Harvest will then close for gag grouper from June 16 through May 1, 2025.
Other grouper: Harvest opens May 1 in Atlantic waters. Includes red grouper, black grouper, scamp, yellowfin grouper, yellowmouth, coney, graysby, red hind and rock hind. Harvest closes Jan. 1, 2025.
Greater amberjack: Harvest opened May 1.
Red porgy: Harvest open May 1. Closes June 30.
Snowy grouper: Harvest open May 1. Closes June 30.
Blueline tilefish: Harvest open May 1. Closes July 18.
Hogfish: Harvest open May 1. Closes Nov. 1.
Alligator: Application dates for hunt season (Aug. 15-Nov. 1) limited entry permits begin May 3. More info here: MyFWC.com/license/limited-entry/apply
Red snapper: No season dates have yet been announced by NOAA National Marine Fisheries.
Bass: Bass at Headwaters Lake is strictly catch-and-release.
Golden tilefish: Harvest closed March 1 in Atlantic waters. Season re-opens Jan. 1, 2025. Harvest closed based on annual catch limit set by NOAA.
Lobster: Harvest closed March 31. Sport season (mini-season) will be July 24-25, 2024.
Snook: Harvest open through May 31 on Atlantic coast. Harvest closed June 1-August 31.
Spotted seatrout: Harvest opened Jan. 1. Harvest closed Nov. 1-Dec. 31.
Cobia: Bag limit: Two fish per vessel. Size limit: 36 inches fork length. No closed season.
Redfish: Harvest of redfish has been banned in the Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon since Sept. 1, 2022. FWC will reevaluate in the future.
Dolphin: Bag limit is 5 fish per day per angler. Vessel limit is 30 fish per day. Captain and crew may not be included in limit. Regulations in state waters began May 1, 2022.
Flounder: Harvest opened Dec. 1, 2023. Harvest closed Oct. 15-Nov. 30.
For complete fishing regulations in Florida go to MyFWC.com.
IR Firefighters 3rd Offshore Tournament
When: June 7-8; Fishing June 8. Where: Sebastian Saltwater Marina and Restaurant. Entry: $250. Potential purse: $14,000 paid out. Species: Grouper, kingfish, dolphin, snapper. Format: Big board. Information to become a sponsor or to fish: Brad Eskew 772-643-1361, Matt Bloch 772-532-2569 or bradeskew@bellsouth.net.
Mosquito Lagoon
Capt. Jon Lulay of 2 Castaway Charters in Titusville said "redfish and black drum can be found tailing in about a foot of water first thing in the mornings. Find areas with grass and wading birds along the shorelines to dial in on the fish. Shrimp has been working the best, but you can also throw soft plastics. Trout fishing has been good around the Clinker Islands to the north using shrimp and live croakers. Larger redfish can be caught on split blue crabs in the canals and on the drop-offs near the channels."
Offshore
Capt. Jamie Glasner of Fin & Fly Charters out of Cocoa Beach said there has been excellent fishing for gag grouper, greater amberjack and dolphin in 160 to 200 feet of water. The same reefs holding the grouper and AJs are also covered with big catch and release red snapper so be ready for that. Dead sardines, grunts and squid are best baits.
Surf
Calm seas in the shorebreak make for great conditions for surf casting, even if the bite isn't quite that exciting. There is still a smattering of pompano working their way back north, but most of the seasonal migration has finished its run. Cast 50 to 75 yards out to the first sandbar for the best chance to get bites. Sand fleas and Fishbites are both working pretty well.
Sebastian Inlet
There have been oversized jack crevalle and tarpon showing up along the jetty. Live sardines, pilchards or greenies all will work well. The best action for these is during the incoming tide. Oversized redfish and black drum are being caught during the outgoing tides on live croaker and juvenile blue crabs. This is the last few weeks to harvest a snook, so the crowds at the inlet have been thick. Live croakers on a sinking slider rig will get the job done.
Indian River Lagoon
Fish areas with grass near mangroves to find speckled trout. Best chance to get a bite is at first light with small topwater plugs. As the sun gets higher in the sky, switch over to soft plastics, jerk baits and artificial shrimp and work them slowly through the grass. Thousand Islands, Sykes Creek and Dragon Point are three spots to try. Black drum are roaming the northern lagoons near the Max Brewer Causeway. Watch for horseshoe crabs at the ramps. Tripletail can be caught around the markers in the southern lagoon on live shrimp.
Freshwater
Bass fishing is still steady even though water temperatures are climbing. Pitch the edges with worms or topwater frogs for reaction strikes, or jigs and spinnerbaits when the fish go deeper. Also, the launch ramp at Headwaters Lake in Fellsmere will be closed from June 10-20 for concrete repairs. Paddlecraft can access down at the Stick Marsh boat ramp. Stick Marsh will be open for powerboats.
Ed Killer writes about fishing for florida today. Email him at ed.killer@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Grouper season off to a great start; Dolphin are running the currents
