New tour boat in town, and some know-how to pass along; fly-fishing, anyone? | FISHING ROUNDUP
Expect to see plenty of boats back on the water, and anglers back on the piers, in the coming few days as this latest run of misery moves along to ruin someone else’s plans.
Assuming Mr. Forecast is sober and focused, it should be a good weekend and a couple good days beyond that, including some wind from the south early in the week. Howdy-do!
But for now, let’s discuss some upcoming events and introduce a new member of our local nautical scene. We’ll start with the new kid in town.
● It’s been an eventful run up the on-ramp for the Manatee II, the new intracoastal tour boat piloted by the same folks who operate the Sea Spirit fishing charter out of Ponce Inlet.
“We started the journey in mid-August, in Maryland,” says Capt. Mike Mullholland, who has retired the original Manatee and targets next Wednesday (Nov. 22) for the Manatee II’s maiden voyage with passengers.
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Rough conditions forced Capt. Mike to inch the new boat back from Maryland through the intracoastal, and Hurricane Dahlia had it strapped to a marina dock in Charleston, S.C., for a couple days as that storm passed.
Once finally in its new home at Sea Love Marina, the overhaul began.
“From the keel to the top of the wheelhouse,” Capt. Mike says. “All new electronics, air conditioning and heat, overhauled motors, new carpet, new seating ….”
Some $160,000 worth of upgrades, he says.
The old Manatee was all open-air, and you know how that can turn dicey, quickly, in these parts. The new boat, while fully enclosed for those so inclined, also has a large deck up top for those preferring to enjoy the salt-tinged air and get a better view.
The old boat carried about three-dozen passengers, while the new vessel comfortably holds 60-plus.
For those who have spent countless hours on our intracoastal, it’s easy to overlook the natural beauty and varied wildlife we have around here, but narrated cruises are an eye-opener for visitors and newcomers, and maybe even a reminder for those of us who have grown accustomed to it all.
● This weekend’s Riverfest Seafood Festival in Ormond Beach includes a fishing clinic for kids — and a free fishing pole (while supplies last).
Kids ages 4-12 can go through a series of instructional stations and learn about knots, casting and other basics.
Riverfest takes place at Rockefeller Gardens and Fortunato Park on the east side of the Granada bridge. If you look across the river, you can see Ike Leary’s Granada Pier Bait & Tackle, and you might even see Ike hustling across the bridge to deliver the free bait he’s providing for the angling youngsters.
● Well, here’s your chance. You’ve often hinted at a desire to learn fly-casting, haven’t you?
Looks a little intimidating, but looks can be deceiving, they say.
The Mid-Coast Fly Fishers are opening their doors and their know-how Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for their annual open-house at the group’s headquarters — 471 Old Mission Road in New Smyrna Beach.
Learn all about casting, fly-tying and all the other necessities from a group looking to add to its local population.
Here's more details on the club and the open-house.
Halifax/Indian River
Since we last gathered here a week ago, there were a couple decent days for fishing followed by the latest damp gloom, which, if nothing else, took minds off the northeast winds that kept blowing down your Thanksgiving yard ornaments.
By this afternoon, and definitely over the weekend and into early next week, expect to see and hear more about the good stuff experienced just before this latest gray wet streak.
“I had a great trip Saturday down around the inlet, with 10 big redfish and a couple tarpon before the conditions changed dramatically,” Capt. Jeff Patterson (Pole Dancer) says.
Capt. Jeff, and others, are talking of mullet flooding the intracoastal, and the palm-sized (and smaller) variety remain the undisputed champs of favored baits in these parts.
Judging from word-of-mouth and dispatches on “social” media, you might have to wade through a thick run of bluefish these days in order to find something a little more worthy of the plate.
Here’s a quick reminder: Expect to catch some trout and flounder when the conditions improve. Why? Because they’re both out of season, of course. Trout remain catch-and-release through the end of December, while flounder are off-limits through Nov. 30.
Looking ahead to next Thursday and Thanksgiving, Ike Leary says his Granada Bait & Tackle will be open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"A lot of guys like to go fishing in the morning while the wives are putting the turkey in the oven," Ike explains.
And vice versa, in some households.
Back to Capt. Jeff before moving on. He’s offering a $50 discount and a pair of Pole Dancer shirts if you book a trip through the end of this month … and mention you saw the offer here in our weekly get-together. It's a win-win, brother.
Surf
Yuck.
The churned, dirty water is hiding some of the seaweed, so there’s your good news.
Before all that, and hopefully in the next day or two, you’ll be able to find a pompano mixed in with the whiting, blues, cats and, of course, small sharks.
Before things turned sour, Capt. Chris Mansfield (Reel Healin’ Outdoors) reported “non-stop action.”
“We’ve been catching a lot of bluefish, whiting and lots of catfish — both hard-heads and sails. There have been some black drum caught along the shore using crab knuckles.”
When the coast clears and you want to target the pomps, Capt. Chris suggests experimenting with Fishbites tipped with dead shrimp, with a 3-ounce sputnik sinker. Or heavier, depending on the wind and current.
(Pssst: But maybe only if you can’t find sandfleas …)
FISHBITES HISTORY The idea for Fishbites began with young Billy Carr in New Smyrna Beach
Offshore
By early-week, the Sea Spirit shut things down until Saturday’s expected better conditions.
Until further notice, when talk turns to deeper water, expect to hear a lot about wahoo from those venturing out beyond the horizon.
“The wahoo bite has been on fire for the past week and should continue for the next few months,” says Capt. Scott Housel (Sudden Strike). “Lately, the bite has been at 110 feet out to 145 feet. Fish can be caught slow-trolling live bait, trolling ballyhoo at 5-6 knots, or high-speed trolling at 14-18 knots.”
Flagler
Once it’s again habitable, expect the Matanzas Inlet area to be holding plenty of sheepshead and black drum, among other quality fish that go in and out of that big door.
Early risers will catch (and release, remember) trout throughout the river and certainly in the canals and flats.
St. Johns
Up around Astor, the river peaked this past week at 3.1 feet, nearly a foot above official flood level, according to Kerry McPherson at South Moon Fish Camp.
It receded to 2.3 feet, which is the flood point. Taking a brief break from a rainy Thursday morning call, Kerry returned to the phone to say it had inched back to 2.5 feet.
Those small variations don’t hurt the fishing at all, compared to the nasty conditions. But the braver souls have been bringing back the specks and some bluegill, Kerry says.
“We had a few guys go out and, for the weather, they did OK,” he says. “We’ve got some more folks coming in next week, and hopefully it’ll be better.”
To the south in the DeLand area, quieter areas of Lake Woodruff are still delivering plenty of specks.
“The size is still a little small, but we’re catching enough to throw back the little ones,” says Capt. Bryn Adams (Highland Park Fish Camp). “With a little cooler weather, they’re sure to turn on red-hot. And it won’t be long before ‘big bass’ season.”
SOUTH MOON REGULARS Peach-staters head south when the bluegill get turned on
HSFC
Another fishing event for kids is slated for Dec. 9 and will be hosted by the Halifax Sport Fishing Club in Port Orange.
They call it their annual “Merry Fishmas” event, for kids ages 5-15, accompanied by an adult. Several stations will teach all the fundamentals about fishing, and once all stations are completed, kids receive an early Christmas gift.
More info on the club and its events here.
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This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Wanna fly-fish? Try a new tour boat? Let's go | Daytona Fishing report
