A weak atmospheric front is approaching with northeasterly winds over the next few days. Sea conditions should allow for decent offshore fishing on Friday and Saturday, but Sunday may be questionable.
The most productive area in the forecast is the surf. Relatively calm conditions allowed anglers to wet a few lines and some pompano. Spanish mackerel are also found in the surf zone. Snook is there too.
The St. Johns River north of Lake Harney near Geneva is still experiencing flooding, but water levels are receding and should recede by the weekend.
Changes to closures and rules apply: We remind fishermen about the cessation of fishing, which will now begin and end.
- flounder: Harvest is closed from October 15 to November 30. Harvest opens again on December 1.
- pig: Harvest is closed from November 1 to April 30, 2023. Harvest reopens on May 1, 2023.
- Speckled trout: Harvest is closed from November 1 to December 31 in Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Palm Beach counties. Harvest opens on January 1, 2023.
- Snook: Harvest is closed from December 15 to January 31, 2023. Harvest reopens on February 1, 2023.
- Perch: Closed to harvest from January 1, 2023 to April 30, 2023. Harvest reopens on May 1, 2023. Includes bass, red snapper, snapper, and six other small species.
- Red snapper: Fishing for redfish in Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon has been prohibited since September 1.
- Alligator: The hunting season is open from August 15 to November. 1. Necessary permits.
- Lobsters: The regular season opened on August 6.
- Dolphin: New rules for fishing in state waters came into effect on May 1. The bag limit is now 5 fish per day per angler; Now the limit per vessel is 30 fish per day. Captain and crew may not be included in the limit.
- tile fish: A commercial fishing closure is in effect from July 6 to December 31, 2022.
- Bass: Bass on Headwaters Lake will soon be catch-and-release.
For complete Florida fishing regulations, follow the link MyFWC.com.
Mosquito lagoon
Speckled trout, red snapper, black drum, jacks are all on the shallow water catch list. Use live shrimp. They can be fished or fished under a plug. Sometimes this added action can trick a trout into feeding on the sound, thinking that another trout is feeding nearby.
Offshore
The nation’s best anglers will gather in Fort Pierce this weekend for a kingfish tournament to compete for tens of thousands of dollars in prizes and a chance to be named national champion. Why am I mentioning this here? Because boats will fish well north of Sebastian Bay in 20 to 40 feet for kingfish by slow trolling live baits such as blue runners, bluefish or pogies. The reefs in 70 feet are also good for snapper fishing.
Surf
This area has been the hottest this week as anglers report catching pompano, spanish mackerel, bluefish, jacks, blue runners, snook, sharks and more. High tides mean that long casts are not necessary. Fish over the bar and near the trough. For those who are not keen on poppies, try this: take only as much as you will eat fresh that day. Leave the skin on the fillet. Roast in the oven, skin side down, for 10 minutes with butter, lemon and your favorite spices, or if grilling, wrap the fish in tin foil after flavoring and cook for 10 minutes. Serve with cheese grits, green beans and tartar sauce.
Sebastian Inlet
Spanish mackerel is the catch in this region. These toothy fish are best thrown with plugs or diamond jigs. Another key to catching them is a fast reel. Mackerel likes the chase, so the faster it reels in, the more successful he or she is. Snook can be caught on the rocks off the north jetty on live bait. Flounder can be caught around the T Dock, but the fishing season is now closed, so release them all before the end of November.
Indian River Lagoon
Small tarpon can be caught and released in the Thousand Islands area of ​​the Banana River Lagoon using small swimbaits or small live baits. Snook can be caught around structures such as levees, docks, levees and canal edges. Redfish are biting in the same areas, but remember all bass must be released into the entire lagoon system per FWC regulations.
Freshwater
The National Weather Service still has a flood warning in place for the St. Johns River north of Harney Lake near Geneva. According to the website, flood waters should recede by the weekend, meaning boaters will be able to access the river to fish for shad, catfish, bass and crappie. The FWC did announce an extension of the alligator hunting season for some alligator harvest units until December 15th. Some are in the St. Johns River system. Go to MyFWC.com to check if your permit harvest unit has been renewed.
Ed Keeler today’s Florida in the open air a writer. Friend Ed on Facebook at Ed Keelerfollow him on Twitter @tcpalmekiller or email him ed.killer@tcpalm.com.
