    
Capt Tim Fletcher
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 | | Posted on Wednesday, March 07, 2001 - 4:27 pm: | |
Subject: Port Canaveral, Florida Offshore Fishing Report
February 28th, 2001
Port Canaveral, Florida Offshore Fishing Report
by Captain Tim Fletcher
(321)-459-9766
What a wonderful end to winter we're experiencing along Florida's Space Coast. Warm, sunny days have persisted for a few weeks now and, aside from a few windy days here and there, the weather has given us plenty of opportunities on the offshore scene. Cobia are THE ITEM. If you haven't been out chasing these brown bombers yet, RIGHT NOW is the time to do it. The Cobes have shown in numbers that Canaveral anglers haven't seen for several years. On successive days last week, we found good numbers of the Cobes in 40-60 ft of water from the buoy line South to Patrick AFB. Most were free swimmers but, we did manage a few around turtles and a couple of manta rays. Bait pods are the key to finding the free-swimmers. Find the bait and you'll have no problem finding the cobes. And, you won't have much problem finding the bait - there is more bait than I've seen in many, many years. Along with the Cobes, we've had a surprise appearance of some early Tarpon and quite a few Jack Crevalle although, we were too occupied by the Cobia to devote much time to the others. One of the highlights of my trips last week was watching 10 yr old Derick Powell land his first Cobia - a 34 incher that he insisted on releasing. Derick took his fish on a 20 lb outfit rigged with dual 10/0 circle hooks attached in chicken rig fashion to 6 ft of 40 lb leader and fished over a local wreck. Derick's father and great uncle were there to watch Derick in his moment of Glory.
On another trip last week, Scott Krantz, Jerry and Ken Bloemer had their hands full pulling Grouper and Snapper in deep water. The trio combined for 5 Scamp Grouper to 12 lbs, 5 Red Grouper to 21 lbs, 4 Red Snapper to 10 lbs and a few Triggerfish and undersized Gag and Red Grouper that were tagged and released. While still a long way from the current state record, at 21.5 lbs, the largest Red Grouper set a mark as the heaviest landed on my boat in 11+ years out of Canaveral. Nice Job Jerry! All of their fish were taken on live and cut baits in 160 ft of water.
As long as the weather holds, set your sights on the Cobes and get out there and bail em while you can. Normally, these fish only hang around for a couple weeks and you don't want to miss the action!
Best of luck to you,
Capt Tim Fletcher
Cool Beans Fishing Charters
http://www.coolbeanscharters.com
TimFletch@excite.com
321-459-9766 (bus) 321-432-5875 (cell) |
