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Capt Doug Blanton (Captdoug)
New member
Username: Captdoug
Post Number: 42
Registered: 2-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 13, 2008 - 9:52 am: | |
Flats Report for Cocoa Beach & Titusville areas
April 13th, 2008 fishing report by Capt Doug Blanton
Summary
We have had some interesting days on the water over the past month. The fishing was pretty good. The reds were tailing and the gator trout were on the flats. Then it rained. The front that pushed through came at the same time that the water level was beginning to rise from the spring surge on the beach. Within a few days the water level came up over a foot in some places. This is always a time we look forward to in Cocoa Beach. Every year when this happens the fish start moving up into areas they haven't gone to feed for months. This year it made the fish on the flats wired for a few days. It did turn on the snook and tarpon though.
Now things are starting to go back to normal for this time of year. Over night the reds turned on to top water. The bigger trout started moving back to their spawning areas and a ton of mullet showed up. It looks like spring has come.
Redfish
We still have mixed bags of reds working the flats in Cocoa Beach. I always get a kick out of a school that holds 10 to 35 pound fish. Most of the schools we find have fish all within a few pounds of each other. We do have one school of reds with 30+ pounders but you have to work for them. They are very shy and like to hang in 2 to 4 feet on the outside edge of the flats.
In the early mornings the reds have been willing to take a top water plugs. We put a few in the boat over the last few weeks with the 3.25 Rip Roller but our better catches have come on the 4.25 High Roller. The High Roller has a softer action and still casts like a much larger plug. When the fish have been becoming a little spooky around plugs we have been doing real well with the new Bass Assassin Blurp. Our best luck over the past few weeks has come on the Pearl 4 inch Sea Shad.
On fly we continue to have our best luck with ether the olive rattle mullet or the pinfish EP patterns. The trick with these flies has been to let them find the fly and strip it away like something trying to run from them. They have been real slow to take a slow moving fly.
Trout
The trout spawn is starting in Cocoa Beach. This means we are in for some of the best Gator Trout fishing this area has to offer. Please, Please remember these fish are restocking our fishery. If you like to catch big trout, put all of the trout over 20 inches back! If you were hear in the 80's you will remember what is was like to not have any big trout. Before then the fishing was great. Then the netters came and RAPED our fishery. With the help of FCA now CCA Florida in 1994 we put a stop to the netting. In 1999 I had the best year I have ever had fishing big trout. We boated 37 trout over 30 inches with top water. In 2000 we boated a trout that weighed in at 16 pounds. Between 2000 and 2006 we have caught more big trout than I have in my life. I can't say that today. We have some good days out there but nothing like we did. So what changed. Over the past few years I have seen more clueless people at the dock cleaning big trout this time of year. I have seen many with their bellies red from spawning that these yahoos were cleaning. The trout need your help. Please return these fish to the water unharmed so that you can feel the tug again another day. Don't take me wrong. I like to eat fish more than most, but, I do not rape pregnant fish to have a meal. In most Native American Languages the word for "white man" means, someone who always takes and never gives anything in return. As sport fisherman we should adopt these words as names for the people who keep spawning fish.
I will get down off the soap box now and say that most of these fish we have been catching on the 4.25 Rip Roller. All of these big girls have been in areas with larger mullet in 1 to 2 feet of water. You need a long cast and to be very quite if you want the hookup.
Tarpon and Snook
We have tarpon and snook in some of the deeper holes near mangroves! That is all I'm going to say.
Other stuff
Many of you have asked me over the years about the Fishing Lanyard I wear. I have started making them for the Fly Fisherman and they now have them in both stores. These make a great gift for the fisherman that has everything else. I now also have them on my website at this link Fishing Lanyards.
until next time.....
Get out there and catch a memory.
Capt. Doug Blanton
www.SightFishing.com
To book a trip with Capt Doug click here or call 321-432-9470 |
Capt Doug Blanton (Captdoug)
New member
Username: Captdoug
Post Number: 41
Registered: 2-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 03, 2007 - 8:15 am: | |
Summary
The cold snaps have started and the water temperature has dropped. This means a couple things when it comes to fishing. The rollercoaster ride is about to start. By that I mean the fishing is going to be great for a few days then slow down for a few as cold snaps pass by.
The cooler weather also means the water is going to start clearing up as the water temps drop. When the water temperature drops it kills back a lot of the algae that has grown during the summer that clouds up the water. When it comes to sight fishing we want a few good cold snaps so that the fish are easier to see.
When we get a few nights of cooler weather this does not mean the the fishing is going to come to a stop. Click here for some of my cold water fishing tips. All it means is you need to hit the water a little latter in the morning.
Over the past few weeks the water temp hasn't bottomed out on us so the fishing has been pretty good most days. We are starting to catch a few nice reds up to 15 pounds and are starting to see a few of the big boys starting to move back onto our flats. We are also starting to catch a few nice trout that had moved off the flats due to the water being too warm in the late summer.
Redfish
We have started to have some pretty good days on the water in Cocoa Beach. We have been catching most of our fish within the first few hours after sunrise in or near schools of mullet in 6 inches to a foot and a half of water.
With spinning we have had our best luck with the 3.25 Rip Roller in Green Back, Florida Special and Red Head. That is all about to change very soon. The schools of mullet are starting to thin out as the water gets color. When this happens the reds will start to become more of an opportunist than they already are. Over the years I have watched the larger reds during the winter feed more on needle fish than any other bait in the river. With that in mind one of my favorite winter time top water plugs is the 3.25 and 4.25 Green Back High Roller. This lure looks and acts like a needle fish. I like to start out with a slow "walk the dog" until the lure is within a few feet of the fish. Then I speed up my retrieve a little to make it look like the bait is running from them just like a baitfish would normally do. This brings out the predatory instinct in the fish and draws a harder strike than normal.
With fly we have been having so great days on the water. Unlike spinning we have been having better days with a fly only a few of you have heard of. The only people that know of this fly are people I have told. We call this fly the "sexy chicken". The reason most of you don't know it is because it is a fly I had Capt John Tarr at the Titusville Fly Fisherman tie just for me. We joked about it for over a year but when I started catching fish that were refusing most other flies we thru we are letting the cat out of the bag.
Trout
The trout fishing has been on and off. We are starting to catch a few more bigger fish on the flats in the mornings but it is not something that happens every day. The outside edge of the flats has been full of the smaller 10 to 15 inch trout but very few of them have been larger. Also, keep in mind the trout season is closed so try to return all these fish back unharmed.
Other stuff
Many of you have asked me over the years about the Fishing Lanyard I wear. I have started making them for the Fly Fisherman and they now have them in both stores. These make a great gift for the fisherman that has everything else.
until next time.....
Get out there and catch a memory.
Capt. Doug Blanton
www.SightFishing.com |
Capt Doug Blanton (Captdoug)
New member
Username: Captdoug
Post Number: 40
Registered: 2-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 9:02 am: | |
Summary
The cold snaps have started and the water temperature has dropped. This means a couple things when it comes to fishing. The rollercoaster ride is about to start. By that I mean the fishing is going to be great for a few days then slow down for a few as cold snaps pass by.
The cooler weather also means the water is going to start clearing up as the water temps drop. When the water temperature drops it kills back a lot of the algae that has grown during the summer that clouds up the water. When it comes to sight fishing we want a few good cold snaps so that the fish are easier to see.
When we get a few nights of cooler weather this does not mean the the fishing is going to come to a stop. Click here for some of my cold water fishing tips. All it means is you need to hit the water a little latter in the morning.
Over the past few weeks the water temp hasn't bottomed out on us so the fishing has been pretty good most days. We are starting to catch a few nice reds up to 15 pounds and are starting to see a few of the big boys starting to move back onto our flats. We are also starting to catch a few nice trout that had moved off the flats due to the water being too warm in the late summer.
Redfish
We have started to have some pretty good days on the water in Cocoa Beach. We have been catching most of our fish within the first few hours after sunrise in or near schools of mullet in 6 inches to a foot and a half of water.
With spinning we have had our best luck with the 3.25 Rip Roller in Green Back, Florida Special and Red Head. That is all about to change very soon. The schools of mullet are starting to thin out as the water gets color. When this happens the reds will start to become more of an opportunist than they already are. Over the years I have watched the larger reds during the winter feed more on needle fish than any other bait in the river. With that in mind one of my favorite winter time top water plugs is the 3.25 and 4.25 Green Back High Roller. This lure looks and acts like a needle fish. I like to start out with a slow "walk the dog" until the lure is within a few feet of the fish. Then I speed up my retrieve a little to make it look like the bait is running from them just like a baitfish would normally do. This brings out the predatory instinct in the fish and draws a harder strike than normal.
With fly we have been having so great days on the water. Unlike spinning we have been having better days with a fly only a few of you have heard of. The only people that know of this fly are people I have told. We call this fly the "sexy chicken". The reason most of you don't know it is because it is a fly I had Capt John Tarr at the Titusville Fly Fisherman tie just for me. We joked about it for over a year but when I started catching fish that were refusing most other flies we thru we are letting the cat out of the bag.
Trout
The trout fishing has been on and off. We are starting to catch a few more bigger fish on the flats in the mornings but it is not something that happens every day. The outside edge of the flats has been full of the smaller 10 to 15 inch trout but very few of them have been larger. Also, keep in mind the trout season is closed so try to return all these fish back unharmed.
Other stuff
Many of you have asked me over the years about the Fishing Lanyard I wear. I have started making them for the Fly Fisherman and they now have them in both stores. These make a great gift for the fisherman that has everything else.
until next time.....
Get out there and catch a memory.
Capt. Doug Blanton
www.SightFishing.com
To book a trip with Capt Doug click here or call 321-432-9470 |
Capt Doug Blanton (Captdoug)
New member
Username: Captdoug
Post Number: 39
Registered: 2-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 29, 2007 - 7:29 am: | |
Summary
Well the tarpon fishing was pretty slow this year compared to years past. Most of the fish never showed up to their regular places and when they did they didn't want to play. The only good thing was that the snook where there in better numbers and they were more than happy to pull a line. The redfish have also been pretty receptive. We have had a few great days where we have caught them on just about every flat we have fished.
Redfish
Most of the redfishing we have been doing has been in the Titusville area just inside the schools of bait. If you can find a flat with a lot of mullet working the grass there has been a good number of single reds working the sandy holes near the bait. We have been doing pretty good with top water in these areas. They have been a little spooky so sight casting them with surface plugs has been hard. Our best catches have come by making long blind casts. Our best fish have come on the 3.25 Rip Roller in Green Back, Florida Special and Red Head. We have had a little better luck sight casting jerk baits like the native shiner Bass Assassin. You still have to let the fish find the lure rather than bringing it to them.
Sight fishing with fly has been a different story. We have been able to catch a lot more reds on fly than we have on spinning when it comes to sight fishing. This is due to the much softer presentation you can get with a fly. We have been able to drop it right on their noses in some cases. With fly our best catches have come on Rattle Mullet.
I know what has happened in the past and what the fish are doing so far this year have been a little off but if history repeats itself here in the next week or two we should be seeing some nice reds start showing up in the Cocoa Beach area. It only last a few weeks but during November we have caught some big bull reds. Lat year we managed one red that weighed in at 48 pounds we boated on a #10.
Trout
The trout bite has picked up some over the past few weeks. Most of the fish are small but we are starting to catch a few larger trout has the water temps come down. Just as with the reds it has all been about the bait. The big difference has been fishing has been the depth of water. Most of our reds are in a foot or less wile the trout have been in 2 to even 3 feet on the outside edge of the schools. Our best catches have still come on the 3.25 rip roller. If you try fishing grubs or small twitch baits you will catch more fish but all will be small.
Snook and Tarpon
The tarpon bite has turned into a bonus. We see a few but most a hard to get to eat. The snook on the other hand have been wiling to play. We are still catching a good number in areas where we find glass minnows.
until next time.....
Get out there and catch a memory.
Capt. Doug Blanton
www.SightFishing.com |
Capt Doug Blanton (Captdoug)
New member
Username: Captdoug
Post Number: 38
Registered: 2-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 27, 2007 - 9:31 am: | |
Summary
The fall bait run is a little early this year ant things are starting to go nuts. The tarpon I have talked about all year have started showing up and are feeding pretty good. Historically the feed goes on for 3 to 4 weeks so if you haven't got out yet the clock is ticking. Once it is over you will have to wait until next year.
The redfish and snook have been feeding really well also. We aren't seeing any huge school but there have been smaller schools all over. Everyone I talk to that fished the river regularly has been catching plenty of reds in their favorite spots. As for the snook, they are everywhere also. It has just been a mater of fishing the inside of the bait near trees, docks or rocks.
We have also been finding a lot of schools of jacks and ladyfish. So dust off your rods and go fishing.
Redfish
We have been catching a lot of upper slot to just over slot sized reds all over the river. The best part of it has been they are happy to take a top water plug. Our best catches have come on the 3.25 Rip Roller in Green Back, Florida Special and Red Head. We haven't had to worry about these fish being spooky so work it as hard as you want. We have also had pretty good luck with the 3.25 High Roller in the same colors. Both of these lures can be a little hard to find so if you find some buy as many as you can. The Fly Fisherman in Titusville has a pretty good stock on most of them.
We have been finding a few reds over 30 pounds but they are the spooky ones. Most of these fish are holding closer to the deeper edge of the flats. Most of the fish we have seen have been eating needle fish so I would throw the 4.25 Green Back High Roller. This is a lure the guys at High Roller made for me about 6 years ago for reds feeding on needles. It has a great walk the dog but I like to mix it up a little and give it a firmer tap and make it do a short skip every no and again.
Since the water is pretty murky they have been hard to see so take your time and leave your trolling motor at home. I know I preach this all the time but take it from someone that has boat thousands of reds over 30 pounds on artificial for over 35 years. You will put more of these big fish in the boat if you pole, wade, stake out, anchor up or drift.
Trout
The trout fishing has been pretty good but most of the fish we are catching are below the 15 inch minimum. Just as with everything else we have been catching more on top water than on anything else. We have put a few larger trout in the boat in the same areas we have been fishing the snook but it has been rare.
Snook and Tarpon
There here and ready to test you skills. I tell most people I meet that ask about tarpon fishing that they are one fish that will test every skill you thought you had. Between the jumps, runs and rolls they will show you who's in charge. So far things are looking like we are going to have another great top water year so here are a few tricks I have learned over the years.
When I fish top water I have had my best luck with the 3.25 Rip Roller, however, this lure comes with #4 hooks. In the past I have lost a lot of fish because the hooks are too small. So what I do is leave the #4 on the front and put a #2 on the back. This makes the front of the lure ride a little higher in the water and gives me a bigger hook to try and stick the fish.
Sharpen your hooks! I like to use a Daiichi #2 4X Strong Wide Gap Bleeding Trebles. This is a extremely sharp hook to start with, but I still like to hit it once or twice just to make sure.
Rip the lure through the water! This drives the fish crazy. Also don't stop your retrieve. When tarpon are feeding they are an incredible predator. When you strip a lure or fly away from them the instinctual chase kicks in and they will dog it down just out of spite.
Be ready for the strike! I watch so many people work a lure hopping it will eat but seem to forget about what to do when it does. When that fish busts a top water plug it usually does so as it is coming out of the water. You can't set the hook on a jump. All you can do is pray the lure is still in its mouth when it hits the water and give your hook-set when it lands. Once you do this it is going to jump again so be ready.
Don't forget to "bow to the king". With most smaller tarpon, that is those below 60 pounds you don't really have to bow to them but you do need to drop slack in your line. That is one of the things that makes fishing the smaller tarpon such a blast. They love to jump! This makes fighting one look like more of a sword fight that someone fighting a fish. You up, then down, then pointing your rod, then back to up again.
Relax, I tell people all the time that fishing for tarpon is one of the only fish I know of I have to take a zantac before I go fishing for. They will drive you insane if you let them so remember fishing is fun, if you lose one , and you will, take a second and relax then get back in the game.
The snook bite has been pretty good also. unlike most of the year the fishing can be good for them all day this time of year. It's all about the bait. We have had some good luck with the 3.25 Rip Roller in Florida Special and Golf Coast Special. The trick has been finding lots of bait near shorelines or downed branches.
For those of you wanting to book a trip with me I still have a few days still open. The 3rd week of October is gone but I have a day or two every other week still open. The only weekend days I have are the 6th and 27th.
until next time.....
Get out there and catch a memory.
Capt. Doug Blanton
www.SightFishing.com
To book a trip with Capt Doug click here or call 321-432-9470 |
CaptainIDS (Captainids)
New member
Username: Captainids
Post Number: 20
Registered: 9-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 10:04 am: | |
Are you a Licensed Coast Guard Captain?
This is for you
http://www.captainids.com/ |
Capt Doug Blanton (Captdoug)
New member
Username: Captdoug
Post Number: 37
Registered: 2-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 9:12 am: | |
Summary
Fishing has been pretty good over the past few weeks. The snook are feeding pretty good in the early mornings, there have been a few nice schools of redfish from 8 to 35 pounds working the flats, the trout bite has been consistent and we are seeing more tarpon working the drop-offs along the flats. The key has been early mornings. Our better catches have come before noon on most days.
Redfish
We have a few nice schools of reds working the flats in Cocoa Beach. We have some nice schools of slot sized fish working the skinny water and some bulls working the deeper edges. They have been starting to feed a little more on mullet so the top water bite has been pretty good. However, I am starting to watch some of the bigger fish start to feed on needlefish. This is common when the bait is thinner but that is not the case this year. We have some great schools of mullet working the flats. With this in mind I have switched the lures I have been throwing to the 4.25 Green Back High Roller. When walked this lure looks more like a needlefish than any other lure I have fished. After around 9am most days we continue to have had our best luck still with the Trout Fingerling worked slowly in front of pushing fish.
Trout
The trout fishing is about the same as my last report except we are starting to hook in to a few larger fish in the early mornings in some shallow water. All of these fish we have caught have been on top water plugs. Our best catches have been on the 3.25 Red Head Rip Roller. Just as with the reds our best fish have been caught with a slow retrieve with a firm tap pause, tap pause.
In the afternoons we continue to catch a lot of smaller fish in 3 to 5 feet of water on Yozuri's 3-D fingerling. Most are to small to keep but there have been a few nice fish to around 5 pounds in the mix. Please keep in mind that our water is very warm and these fish don't do well with a lot of handling. Crush your barbs and get them back in the water quickly. I always tell people if you enjoy fishing these fish are next years catch.
Snook and Tarpon
The snook bit has been pretty good in the early mornings. Unlike trout and reds these fish love warm water and in many cases the warmer the better. Our best catches have come under and around dock lights on the 2.5 Pop Roller. The color hasn't seamed to make a difference. It has all been about the popping. Most of our better fish have come in areas that have a lot of glass minnows. I always like to look for docks that have froth around them. By this I mean areas that fish have been busting the surface.
The tarpon have been all over the river for the past few weeks. They are still being tarpon but we have managed to jump a few. Our best luck has been on small < 3 inch grubs and on Yozuri's 3-D fingerling. This will most likely be the norm for the next few weeks. However, as many of you know October is just a few weeks away.
Reminder
October is only a few weeks away. This is the time of year we put more tarpon in the boat than any other time of year. I still have a few days left so if you are looking to get in on the action let me know ASAP. Just 3 years ago we put 30 tarpon in the boat in an afternoon. Over the past few years we have had some great luck with both fly and top water plugs.
until next time.....
Get out there and catch a memory.
Capt. Doug Blanton
www.SightFishing.com
To book a trip with Capt Doug click here or call 321-432-9470
Cocoa Beach Fishing Guide
Back to Capt Doug's home page
Videos taken on my charters
Pictures of fish caught on my charters
Cocoa Beach Fishing guide
Here is the "Inshore Flats Kit" High Roller put together with my favorite High Roller Lures. This is a must for redfish, trout, snook and tarpon. Click on this link for more information on High Rollers Inshore Flats Kit.
Places to find the lures I use.
In Titusville go to the Fly Fisherman or call 321-267-0348 |
Capt Doug Blanton (Captdoug)
New member
Username: Captdoug
Post Number: 36
Registered: 2-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 06, 2007 - 8:07 am: | |
August 6th, 2007 fishing report by Capt Doug Blanton
Summary
The weather may be hot but so is the fishing. The snook have been busting bait in the early mornings, the reds are schooled up again, the trout bite is holding on pretty good and the tarpon are everywhere.
Redfish
The red fishing has been strange this year. They never moved out of some of their late winter early spring spots in Cocoa Beach. The schools did brake up a little a few months ago but they re-schooled again a few days ago. They have been a little slow to eat on some days but if you are willing to put in the time and not put to much pressure on them we have been able to boat a few nice fish upwards of 40 pounds. With that said I haven't seen our big 40 to 50 pound fish yet, however, It should be any day now.
I know I usually talk a little about the depth I am finding these fish. Well, one day we are finding them in less than a foot and others in 3 to 4 feet. The only thing I can say that I see as a pattern is when the bait is thick they are holding shallow and when the bait pushes off I am finding them in deeper water. I can also tell you that they seam to have no interest in baitfish. This is strange to me because there is almost no crab or shrimp on most of the flats I'm fishing for them in. The only bait I have watched them eat over the past few weeks is needlefish. Now just to make it more confusing, all of the reds we have boated have been on the Trout Fingerling.
Trout
The trout fishing has been pretty good as long as you are willing to sort through all the small fish. As with my last report we are still boating our best fish on Yozuri's 3-D fingerling in 4 to 6 feet of water most days. On days that the water temp is closer to 80 we have been catching our better fish in 2 to 3 feet.
Snook and Tarpon
The tarpon are here. There are large schools of tarpon up to 60 pounds working the drop-offs in areas that are holding a lot of big bait. The best part about this is that that are starting to feed pretty good. We are having our best luck with big top water plugs like the new 6.5 Monster High Roller in Florida Special and the 5 inch Pinfish Fingerling.
On fly we have had our best catches on the EP Rattle Mullet. Once you get this fly in front of them it has been a matter of a how fast you can strep it in. They have been a little more willing to take a fast moving fly.
Now when it comes to snook fishing we have had our best catches in the early morning on small top water plugs like the Redhead Pop Roller. and on fly with the Blue or black back crease flies.
I also want to remind everyone that October is only a few weeks away. This is the time of year we put more tarpon in the boat than any other time of year. I still have a few days left so if you are looking to get in on the action let me know ASAP. Just 3 years ago we put 30 tarpon in the boat in an afternoon.
until next time.....
Get out there and catch a memory.
Capt. Doug Blanton
www.SightFishing.com
To book a trip with Capt Doug click here or call 321-432-9470 |
Capt Doug Blanton (Captdoug)
New member
Username: Captdoug
Post Number: 35
Registered: 2-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 8:56 am: | |
Flats Report for Cocoa Beach & Titusville areas
July 23rd, 2007 fishing report by Capt Doug Blanton
Summary
Summer is here. You can almost set your watch by the afternoon thunderstorms and the tarpon are in good numbers in the rivers. The schools of redfish have broken up into smaller schools and the bulls are on their way north. The snook fishing has improve in the early morning and the trout are on the drop-offs. For Cocoa Beach this all means that it's summer slam time.
Redfish
The red fishing has greatly improved over the past few weeks. The schools have gotten smaller but all this means is that you have more fish scattered across a flat instead of one big school. You have to give these fish a little more room than the larger schools but you have a better chance of catching more of them because you have more schools to work.
Most of the reds we have been catching have been in areas with a lot of mullet. The reds don't seam to be feeding on the mullet as much as small grass shrimp. However, if a bait fish gets a little too close or makes a wrong move they are more than happy to eat them as well. Most of the reds we have been catching have been on the Trout Fingerling.
In the early mornings or on days that the pressure has been dropping we have been able to put a few fish in the boat with top water. When this has been the case we have been having our best luck with the 4.25 Green Back High Roller. This is one of my favorite top water plugs because of all the different ways this lure can be worked. On those top water days we have had our best luck walking the dog up to the schools then speeding the retrieve up to make it look like it is running from the reds.
On the days we are able to get them to eat top water we have been having good luck with the worked across the front of the schools with long casts.
On fly we have had some of our best days fishing the "redfish toad". If you click on the picture it will take to to the Fly Fisherman's fly of the month with a breakdown of how to tie this fly.
Trout
The trout fishing has been great in Cocoa Beach. Most of the fish have been small but we continue to put a few nice fish up to 5 pounds in the boat. Our best catches have been on Yozuri's 3-D fingerling in 4 to 6 feet of water. Just on the outside of flats that are holding a lot of bait.
Snook and Tarpon
The tarpon are here. We are starting to see large schools of tarpon up to 60 pounds working the drop-offs in areas that are holding a lot of big bait. The best part about this is that that are starting to feed pretty good. We are having our best luck with big top water plugs like the new 6.5 Monster High Roller in Florida Special and the 5 inch Pinfish Fingerling.
On fly we have had our best catches on the EP Rattle Mullet. Once you get this fly in front of them it has been a matter of a how fast you can strep it in. They have been a little more willing to take a fast moving fly.
Now when it comes to snook fishing we have had our best catches in the early morning on small top water plugs like the Redhead Pop Roller. and on fly with the Blue or black back crease flies.
I also want to remind everyone that October is only a few weeks away. This is the time of year we put more tarpon in the boat than any other time of year. I still have a few days left so if you are looking to get in on the action let me know ASAP. Just 3 years ago we put 30 tarpon in the boat in an afternoon.
until next time.....
Get out there and catch a memory.
Capt. Doug Blanton
www.SightFishing.com
To book a trip with Capt Doug click here or call 321-432-9470 |
Capt Doug Blanton (Captdoug)
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Post Number: 34
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 - 8:53 am: | |
February 28th, 2007 fishing report by Capt Doug Blanton
I can't say the bulls
are charging but I can say the Gator Trout are. We have been catching a few nice
reds up to 31 lbs and have seen a few of the 40+ pound fish but as of this
report we haven't boated one yet. As for the big trout, they have been moving on
the flats in good numbers. Our biggest to date was a 8 pounder we boated on top
water.
Here are a few of the fish we boated over the past week.
Redfish
The redfish in this area haven't started with their typical spring
pattern yet. Some days we are finding them in less than a foot and on others we
find them in 2 to 3 feet. The only thing that is predictable is that they are
always near bait. They also haven't been very reliable as to what they will eat
from day to day with spinning. Some mornings they will chase a top water plug to
the boat and on others they spook off it. On the days we have our best luck with
top water we have caught more fish on the Green Back 4.25 High Roller.
On the days the reds have been a little spooky with the top water we have had
our best luck with the Gold Rootbeer PT Spoon. The key to fishing this lure has
been a good leading cast letting the fish find it rather that it finding them.
They a slow retrieve.
Keep in mind when your fishing for these big reds you are fishing for some much
older fish than most people are use to. We have some fish pushing 30 to 35 years
old. There isn't much you can throw at them they haven't seen. The key is to let
them find the lure on most days. This is also a fish that has been chased around
with trolling motors bumped by people that don't know how to stalk a fish and
hit in the head by every lure on the market. Let them find the lure!
Now when it comes to this fish not eating the same thing from day to day, fly
has been a different story. These fish have consistently been willing to eat a
Honey Shrimp. I believe the reason this has been going on has been the lack of
bait we have had so far this year on the flats. That has been starting to change
this week but it should be a few more weeks until we start to see the big
schools we get in the spring.
Trout
The trout fishing still isn't going nuts but it isn't to far away now. We
are boating a few big girls each trip but all I can think of is how it is going
to be in a few more weeks. By mid March we should be starting to boat 10 to 20
gator trout a day. The best part is it is all on top water.
Our best catches have been on the Green Back and Florida Special 4.25 high
Roller on calm days and the 4.25 Rip Roller on windier days. Most of our fish
have been between 5 and 8 lbs. All have been in or near schools of bigger mullet
in less than a foot of water. These fish have been extremely spooky so it has
all been about the long cast and a low profile. I also tell all my clients to
dress in neutral colors. I know that that hot pink Bonehead shirt is comfortable
but if you want big trout you'll leave it at home.
until next time.....
Get out there and catch a memory.
Capt. Doug Blanton
www.SightFishing.com
To book a trip with Capt Doug Go To www.SightFishing.com or call 321-432-9470 |
Capt Doug Blanton (Captdoug)
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Username: Captdoug
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 - 4:12 pm: | |
November 29th, 2006 fishing report by Capt Doug Blanton
The rollercoaster ride has started. Ever year about this time we start to have unpredictable weather. We may have a week or two of great weather then out of nowhere mother nature likes to show us that it can get cold in Florida. Depending on how cold the water gets effects how the fish react. If it cools down and stays that way the fish are a little shocked at first then start to deal with the cooler water and go back to feeding. When it is warm for a few days and then cools off for a few then warms up again the fish don't know what to do. That is why I call the the rollercoaster time of year. We typically only have two types of days during this time, the best days you have ever had or some of the slowest. I know that isn't the type of things you here from a guide, but I have been able to build a reputation over the years of not telling fish stories and I want to keep it that way.
Now with that said we are on a high part of the rollercoaster now. The reds have been pretty spooky but willing to eat. It has all been a game of letting them come to us. The trout fishing has picked up some as the water temps have been dropping. The jacks, blues and Spanish mackerel have been showing up in the port along with one of my favorites the pompano. It has all been about getting out there and getting a line wet.
Redfish
The reds that we have been finding over the past few weeks have all been in some shallow water. On some days we haven't seen a fish in more than 6 inches. All have been inside or in schools of mullet. When I see this I know that mullet pattered lures are not the thing to throw. When I see this I spend more time working weedless soft plastics and other slow moving lures like the PT Spoon. There is a great way to rig that spoon with a soft plastic that I have shown the guys at the Fly Fisherman in Titusville.
On days when the reds are more receptive to top water I have had my best luck with the red head 4.25 High Roller. It has all been about a long lead and a slow walk.
Many of the fish we have been catching have been just under slot however we have been able to boat a few close to 30 lbs. It has all been a day to day, what mood are they in now thing.
Trout
The trout fishing has been up and down also. The only good part with them is that when it's a good day, it's a great day. Some of our fish have been close to 8 and 9 lbs. Unlike with the reds it has all been about top water. I know I have said this more than once but it is the truest statement I can make about big trout in cool water. Big slow moving plugs.
All of the trout we have caught have been in less than a foot of water. The time of day doesn't matter this time of year. It is all about the bait. If there isn't any bait you are not going to find trout.
Lures and flies
The Fly Fisherman in Titusville has got some good shipment of stuff in over the past month so if you are running low or want to try out some High Rollers swing by and stock up.
until next time.....
Get out there and catch a memory.
Capt. Doug Blanton
www.SightFishing.com
To book a trip with Capt Doug go to www.SightFishing.com or call 321-432-9470 |
Capt Doug Blanton (Captdoug)
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Username: Captdoug
Post Number: 32
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 26, 2006 - 7:47 am: | |
October 26th, 2006 fishing report by Capt Doug Blanton
The tarpon fishing was a lot slower this year than it has been in the past. We are still picking up a few here and there. When they are on it has been great. We end up putting 2 or 3 in the boat up to 50 lbs. When there not, we don't even see them.
We have been doing pretty go with the snook. All have been just under the 27 inch slot but they have been happy to take top water. The key has been bait along the mangroves.
The reds have been feeding pretty good here for the past few weeks. We have had a few days we spent some time looking but on the days we found them we have been able to put a few nice fish up to 30 lbs in the boat.
The key has been putting in the time. Hopefully this is all about to change here in the next few days. November has been historically a good month for big reds in Cocoa Beach. Over the past 20 years we have boated more fish close to 50 lbs then any other time of the year.
Redfish
The redfishing has been a little slow but worth the time on many days. I hate to say we've had a few hard days looking for these big boys but I don't like to tell fish stories. On the days we have found the reds we have had a fun mix of top water, grubs and even spoons. Unlike most of the time when I have to change out lures according to what the fish are feeding on it has been more about how much grass we have been pulling in and how deep the water is. In the shallow water without grass on the surface we have had good luck with the Red head and Florida Special 4.25 High Roller. In water with a lot of grass we have had some pretty good catches with the Silver-Interference Blue PT Spoon. In the deeper water we are catching most of our reds on the Pinfish 3" Fingerlings.
All of our fish have been found in or around schools of larger mullet. I can't say how deep the water has been because it changes from day to day. I can say it has been between less than a foot to 4 feet. It has all been about the bait.
Trout
The trout fishing is starting to get better in the shallow water. Most of the better fish we have caught have been in less than a foot of water in the afternoons. This is common for this time of year when the water has started to cool down. Once again it is all about the bait. I find most of the larger trout in or around schools of larger mullet in sandy areas near drop-offs. The trick to catching trout in skinny water is long casts with big top water plugs. High Roller has just come out with a 6 inch High Roller. They don't have it listed on their website yet but you can call them at 877.205.1764. In the past I have used the Monster Rip Roller but the prop spooks them off every now and again if you work it to hard. I believe that this 6 inch High Roller is going to be the lure that catches the next world record Trout.
Snook
The snook fishing has been a lot of fun for me lately. We only catch a few snook every year in this are over 5 lbs. So far this month we have been catching as many a 4 a day. Or best catches have come on the 2.75 Red head Pop Roller but we have also had a few good catches on the Pearl Chart/Head 3.25 High Roller and the 3.25 Rip Roller. The catching has all been about bait near the mangroves with 2 to 3 feet of water.
Tarpon
The tarpon fishing has slowed down a lot. We had a few great days with a few fish up to 50 lbs. The problem now is they are here one day and not the next.
What to expect in November.
November has historically a spawning month in Cocoa Beach. We get a lot of the big reds in the 40+ pound range every year. We also catch a lot of these fish on top water. I can't say when it is going to start but we are looking every days for the schools to show up. I will send out a "bulls are charging" when they show up. As of today I have only seen singles so it should be any day now.
Last year our biggest was 48 pounds at 55 inches but we saw 5 or 6 fish over 60 inches.
until next time.....
Get out there and catch a memory.
Capt. Doug Blanton
www.SightFishing.com
To book a trip with Capt Doug go to www.SightFishing.com or call 321-432-9470 |
Capt Doug Blanton (Captdoug)
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Post Number: 31
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 7:26 pm: | |
August 23rd, 2006 fishing report by Capt Doug Blanton
Sorry this took a bit longer than I said it would. The bulls are charging. We started out fishing one school of reds in the 20 to 30 pound range and then it got better. We are now fishing 2 to 3 schools of reds between 20 and 40 pounds. It has been great because on some mornings we have been able to catch them on top water. The other good thing is that we have been able to catch them on most days all day long.
Redfish
The schools of reds we have been fishing have been pretty spooky. All of the fish we have boated have been caught poling on their outside and letting them come to us. This has been a little bit of a challenge on some days when we have had a number of boats try to work into the areas we have been fishing with their trolling motor or motor up on a flat. The good news is that they haven't been spooking off far. When some one ran a motor near us they just stopped tailing. When this would happen we would just set there and watch. Almost every time they would rise up again in a little shallower water and go back to feeding.
One the morning we were first to find the schools they were happy to take top water. The were still a little spooky with prop baits but pounded on the soft action of the 4.25 High Roller. It was just a mater of long casts and a soft walk the dog along the outside edge of the school. Once the top water bit slowed down we have been catching them best on the 3 inch trout fingerling by high roller. This brings up some good news about High Roller. I know they have on their website that they are out of the trout and black and gold fingerlings. I spoke to Terry just the other day and he told me that they had plenty to go around. So for all of you that have been waiting give Terry a call at 877-205-1764. The Fly Fisherman in Titusville should be getting in a shipment soon also.
All of the larger reds we have been catching have been have been on the outside edge of the flats outside schools of bait. They have been feeding in the thick grassy areas in 2 to 4 feet of water. Like I said the key has been not letting them know you are there. Something you may want to try if you would like to get more than one fish is to only cast when you see tails. I have been doing this for years and have days that I could work a school of spooky reds for hours. Also, don't chase them if they spook off. If you pole off to there side and give them plenty of room you will put more fish in the boat.
If you think it's to hot to go fishing all day here is another clip from the "Bull Reds Show" we shot last August with Mike Surman and All About Fishing.
Trout
The trout fishing has been a little hit and miss. We are catching a lot of schoolies but only a few with any size. The funny thin has been that most of our better fish have been caught after 10 am on top water. Unlike the reds the trout have hit better on prop baits like the 4.25 Rip Roller Redhead. The key to finding them has been glass minnows in 2 to 3 feet. If you can find them you should be good to go.
Snook
The snook bite has slowed down a little. This has been due to most of the bait holding in the middle of the river all night. With a few of the moonless nights we have had over the past few days we have been able to catch a few. This could also be due to the amount of time we have been spending with the reds in the early mornings.
Tarpon
I haven't been looking for the tarpon for a few weeks now so anything I would say would be second hand.
I can tell you that I still have a few days left for the October Tarpon run. If you have done it with me in the past you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't you are missing out. We put up to 10 tarpon a day in the boat during those 4 to 5 weeks of October and early November. 3 years ago we had one day we jumped over 90 and put 30+ in the boat. If you have ever wanted to catch tarpon on fly it doesn't get any better.
until next time.....
Get out there and catch a memory.
Capt. Doug Blanton
www.SightFishing.com
To book a trip with Capt Doug go to www.SightFishing.com or call 321-432-9470 |
Capt Doug Blanton (Captdoug)
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Post Number: 30
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 3:37 pm: | |
July 27th, 2006 fishing report by Capt Doug Blanton
Things are starting to pick
up in the Cocoa Beach Area. The trout bite is starting to look more like our
typical summers, the snook are feeding pretty good in the early mornings and we
have tarpon everywhere.
Summertime can be one of the best times to fish in this
area. The schools of reds have broken up into smaller groups. The trout are on
most any flat that has bait. The snook feed around the mangroves on and off
throughout the day. The tarpon hang out around drop offs. And the best part of
it all, on most days we can do it all in a day. Yes this is the time of year I
like to call "slammer time" Redfish
The redfish continue to be on and off. The
good news is we are having a few more on days than we have had this year. This
is due to the larger schools of bait we now have working the flats. I am also
happy to report that we are starting to see some of those big bull reds showing
up. The key to all our reds has been stealth. Our better catches have come on
slow moving top water plugs like the 4.25 High Roller in Redhead and the 3.25
High Roller in Pearl Chart/Head. our best catches have come by putting a long
cast over the fish and reeling it closer to the fish before starting a slow walk
the dog. This gives you a chance to get your plug as close as possible without,
as I like to say "throwing rocks at them". The main reason I have been using
both the 3.25 and the 4.25 has been distance. On days when I can get within 50
feet of the fish without spooking them I have been using the 3.25. On those days
they require 100+ I like the 4.25. That 4.25 High Roller is a long casters
dream. I can cast that plug further than any other plug on the market.
On days that the reds have been pushing water on the outside edge of the flats I
have been having my best catches on the 3 inch Fingerling in Trout or Pinfish.
The same long leading casts are needed for these fish. Here is a video we shot
last August with Mike Surman that shows what I'm talking about. For those of you
I told about the grass on your lure look at what this red thinks about grass on
your lure.
Trout
The trout fishing has been great over the past few weeks. We are catching
more smaller fish than larger ones but we are still picking up one here and
there in the 5 to 8 pound range. Just as you would expect all the trout have
been caught near schools of bait, but as for the time of day, it hasn't seamed
to matter. The only thing I can say is that all of our larger fish have been
caught less than 2 feet in the heat of the day. I have still been catching most
on the 4.25 Rip Roller Redhead. but that is only when the pressure has been
below 30.10 and moving. When things get above that everything has been caught on
swimbaits.
Snook
The snook bite is about the same as a few weeks ago except our
better catches have come before sunrise. It has all been about bait and
structure. Our best catches of snook have continued to be on High Roller's 2.75
Pop Roller in their Green Back.
Tarpon
The larger tarpon continue to be hit and
miss on the beaches. The good news is we are see some larger fish upwards to
120+ in the river. We see this most years but not this early. As many of you
know this has been a strange year and this just adds to it. We have yet to put
one of these big boys in the boat but we have jumped a few. All of the tarpon we
have hooked and boated have been on the 3 inch Pinfish Fingerling.
It is starting to look like we are going to have an above average October. It
looks like it may even start in September this year. For those of you who don't
know what I'm talking about, Tarpon are one of the most finicky fish we have in
this area. They will swim and roll all around you boat for hours and never eat a
thing. Ever year in October I do almost nothing but tarpon trips for 3 to 4
weeks. During this time the tarpon go into a feeding frenzy. We have had days
where we have boated as many as 30 tarpon. If you think that's pretty good it
gets better. During this time they love to feed on top water!
I still have a few days each week in October still open so stop what your doing
and go look at your calendar. If you want to book a trip with me you need to do
it now. In the past I am usually booked up by the beginning of September.
until next time.....
Get out there and catch a memory.
Capt. Doug Blanton
www.SightFishing.com
To book a trip with Capt Doug call 321-432-9470 |
Capt Doug Blanton (Captdoug)
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Username: Captdoug
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 10:39 am: | |
To book a trip with Capt Doug go to www.sightfishing.com or call 321-432-9470
Flats Report for Cocoa Beach & Titusville areas
July 17th, 2006 fishing report by Capt Doug Blanton
This has been one of the strangest years I've seen when it comes to fishing in this are. There are good reasons for everything that has been going on but it is still strange. 1) the trout spawned about 2 months late and are continuing to spawn today. 2) The crabs never moved into the rivers like they usually do. The large schools of reds only show up every now and again. 3) the bait showed up late. 4) we are seeing more tarpon in the river this summer than we have in past years. So what has caused all this? Salinity. The first part of the year we had a lot less rain than we have had in past years. Now that we are getting rain we now have a lower salinity than we have in the past. As part of the records I keep every year I have watched the salinity drop from 26ppt to 18ppt within the last month. This is a big shock to fish that are use to it staying around 20ppt. The good news is now that things are closer to what they typically are for this time of year things are starting to normalize a little.
Even though we don't have the schools of 500+ reds we are starting to see a few schools of up to 100. Most of these fish have been very spooky so patients has been the key. Over the past few weeks we have also been starting to catch more larger trout up to 8 pounds. The snook have been willing to eat for up in the pre dawn hours. And nice schools of juvenile tarpon are working the deeper areas of the river.
Redfish
The red fishing has been on and off. On day we find the fish we have to work them quietly and not putting very much pressure on them. Most of the fish we are finding are near schools of bait in 2 to 4 feet of water. This has been a real challenge due to the amount of algae in the deeper water. The funny thing has been that we are having some good top water days. On the days the top water bite is slow we are doing pretty good with High Roller's 3 inch Fingerling in Trout or Pinfish. On the top water days we are putting more reds in the boat with the 4.25 High Roller in Redhead. Ether way our best catches have come by poling or drifting the flats and waiting for the fish to come to us. Once we have found them it has been all about long leading casts.
Most of the reds we have been catching have been between 10 and 20 lbs. However for those of you looking for something a little smaller that you can keep try working the Redhead 2.75 Pop Roller just inside the schools of bait in a foot or 2 of water in the early mornings. We started picking up a few nice slot size fish a few weeks ago and it has been pretty steady ever since.
TroutThe trout fishing has picked up a lot compared to my last report. The funny thing has been that our better catches have been in the late morning through afternoon. They have all been caught in a foot to a foot and a half of water. Once you get any deeper that 2 1/2 feet all we have been catching is schoolies. Our best catches have come on the 4.25 Rip Roller Redhead. On the days we have switched to a smaller plug we have been catching small trout and ladyfish. All of the larger trout we have found has been near and in large schools of bait.
Snook
The snook bite has also picked put over the past week. The key to them has been glass minnows. If there near the docks that so are the snook. Our best catches of snook have been on High Roller's 2.75 Pop Roller in their Green Back.
Tarpon
The larger tarpon are hit and miss on the beaches. The smaller river tarpon have been a lot more respective to artificials. Some of our better catches have been on fly but on the days we have been throwing spinning we have done pretty good with the 3 inch Pinfish Fingerling. or the Yo-zuri 3 inch 3D minnow in Tennessee shad. I love these smaller tarpon. They spend more time in the air and most of the time you can get them to the boat in a reasonable amount of time. until next time.....
Get out there and catch a memory.
Capt. Doug Blanton
To book a trip with Capt Doug go to www.sightfishing.com or call 321-432-9470 |
Capt Doug Blanton (Captdoug)
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 10:26 am: | |
Flats Report for Cocoa Beach & Titusville areas
June 12th, 2006 fishing report by Capt Doug Blanton
Let the games begin. As our
first tropical storm of the year passes over Florida this area is getting some
much needed rain. This mean our water levels will come up some, our salinity
will drop a little and some of the grass that has been a plague on our flats
will thin out hopefully to where it should be. Over the past few months our
grass in Cocoa Beach has been so thick that even the bait fish has been avoiding
the flats. The salinity has been so high that the trout have had a weak spawn
this year. The crabs have been thin. When you tie all this together it makes for
some slow fishing.
So far this year slow has been an understatement compared to last years fishing.
The good news is that that should all be about to change. We are starting to see
good numbers of the larger tarpon showing up on the beach. A few scattered
schools of reds are starting to move back up onto the flats and the trout are
starting to school up on the droop-offs. If all goes as I think it will over the
next few weeks we should be starting to have more banner days.
Redfish
The reds
have been a little more consistent over the past few days. We are see a good
number of schools of oversized reds working inside of the schools of bait. The
largest fish we are seeing are in the 15 to 20 pounds range. We have been able
to boat a few over that but most are still under 20.
Most of the reds we have
boated have been by working weedless twitch baits like the 4 inch Native Shiner
Bass Assassin. When the reds are on the outside of the grass we are still having
our best luck with High Roller's 3 inch Fingerling in Trout. With both lures we
have had our best luck working it slowly along the bottom and letting the fish
find the lure.
On days they aren't as spooky we have had our best luck with the
4.25 High Roller in Redhead and the 4.25 Rip Roller Redhead. When working both
of these lures we have had our best luck working it very slow near the fish and
not over their heads.
Another lure we are starting to have good results with are High Roller's new PT
Spoon. This lure isn't like any other spoon you have fished with. You can hold a
steady retrieve and walk the dog on the surface or slow it down a bit and walk
it just below. You can work it like a twitch bait or just drag it along the
bottom for those spooky fish. The best thing is they don't spin and twist up
your line like all the other spoons.
All of our fish have been just inside of the schools of bait. The mullet have
seamed to be very afraid of the reds. This usually tells me that they are
looking for something else to eat. This is not to say that they won't eat mullet
if the opportunity presents itself. So always remember when you see this a slow
steady retrieve until the fish notice the lure. Once this happens speed up your
retrieve a little. Most of the time this will bring out the instinctual chase.
PT Spoon
High Roller's PT Spoon
Fingerling Swim Bait
High Roller's Pinfish 3 inch Fingerling
Top Water
4.25 High Roller in Redhead
4.25 Rip Roller Redhead
Trout
The trout fishing has slowed down when it come to the larger gator trout.
This may change with the recent rain but that has still to be seen. The smaller
trout fishing has picked up a lot. One thing I always like to remind people when
this happens is to crush your barbs and only use lures with single hooks.
Setting the hook fast is also a good way of trying not to harm these schoolies.
Most of our larger fish have come during the predawn hours in shallow water in
or around schools of larger mullet. The key to hook-ups with these fish is long
casts. When it comes to what lures we have been using the rule has been large
slow moving baits. Our best luck has come with the 4.25 High Roller in Redhead.
After sunrise we have had better luck with the 4.25 Rip Roller Florida Special.
We have continued with the slower retrieve but with a harder tap.
Snook
We have had a few good days over the past few weeks with the snook. The
key has been early mornings, glass minnows and small top water plugs. If you can
find a spot near docks or mangroves with glass minnows there is a good chance of
finding snook. With the past full moon you need to get out real early if you
want a shot at a hook-up. Now that we are getting some rain start looking around
outflows from the mosquito impoundments and other drainage areas.
Our best catches have come on High Roller's 2.75 Pop Roller in their Green Back.
We have been working it with a firm pop and a second or two pause. Just as with
the trout and reds we have been twitching it a little faster if they miss it on
the first strike.
Tarpon
Tarpon have been showing up in good numbers in the 60 to 80 pound range
on the beaches. I haven't had a chance to get out for these bigger boys yet but
in years past we have had great luck with ether the 6.5 Rip Roller in Florida
Special and the 5 inch Pinfish Fingerling.
These fish can be a blast. All you need to do is get out early, find how far the
bait is holding off the beach and work the beach until you see tarpon. My
favorite is when you can find them jumping while busting bait. This is a good
sign that you chances for a hook-up are great. All you have to do when you see
the fish doing this is to make a long cast a good 10 to 20 feet in front of the
fish and work it hard if your working top water. Once you get your first strike
on top water you'll see why I say if you haven't caught a tarpon on top water
you still have caught one yet. The air show is something you wont ever forget.
As for the smaller tarpon in the river, they have been hit and miss. These fish
can give you an ulcer. They are ether on or off. The great things is when they
are on they can give you more airtime than their larger brothers.
If you are looking for more of a sure thing you need to give me a call and book
a trip for October. I have put more tarpon in the boat in the last 3 weeks of
October and the first week of November than any other time of the year. If we
have another year like the last 2 we should have a great top water year.
At this time I still have a few days open so if this is something you want to do
or you have done it with me in the past and you want to do it again, call me
now!
Tackle report.
There is a new product on the market I wonted to let you
know about. I have been a big advocate of amber polarized glasses until I had a
chance to try copper. The Fly Fisherman has just started caring a new line of
glasses called Panoptx. I have never seen the flats with such clarity. The fish
stand out better than they ever did with other glasses. These glasses also have
great protection from the wind. They have a number of models that will block
100% of the wind. So next time you find yourself in the market for a new pair of
glasses give these a try.
until next time.....
Get out there and catch a memory.
Capt. Doug Blanton
To book a trip with Capt Doug www.sightfishing.com or call 321-432-9470 |
Capt Doug Blanton (Captdoug)
New member
Username: Captdoug
Post Number: 27
Registered: 2-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 7:33 pm: | |
April 23rd, 2006 fishing report by Capt Doug Blanton
I'm sorry it has taken me so long to post a new report. It has been hard for me to find time to post these reports as often as I use to. Now that my son is pushing 2 I try to spend every second with him I can.
Well on to the fishing.
Spring has sprung in Cocoa Beach. We have had a few days with temperatures already pushing 90. The only thing we need now is some more rain. The water levels are very low and the salinity is a little high. This can be a good thing but it can also mix things up a bit. When the salinity gets to high the crabs don't move onto the flats in as good of numbers. This means we can expect to see better schools of larger reds working deeper water areas near or on drop-offs. As the spring and summer rains start to come and more crabs start moving up on the flats these larger fish will follow.
Everything is running a few weeks to a month behind this year compared to last year. This means we have a lot to look forward to. Such as the bull reds grouping up for their false spawn and the gator trout spawning. To date our biggest red has been 38 lbs and or biggest trout weighed in at just under 10 lbs.
Redfish
The red fishing has been hit and miss so far this spring. We have had some great days putting as many as 7 reds up to 30 lbs in the boat in a morning. We have also had a few days we haven't been able to find a red. The good news is we have been able to find a few to play more often than not.
On our good days we have had our best luck with High Roller's 3 inch Fingerling in Pinfish. I think that on of the reasons we have been having better luck with this color over the Trout or Black and gold is because of the number of pinfish we have on the flats this year. As many of you know I am a big "match the hatch" person.
When it comes to top water we have put more reds in the boat this year with the 3.25 and 4.25 High Roller in Florida Special and Gulf Coast Special. We have had better luck with the Gulf Coast Special in the pre dawn hours and the Florida Special after sun rise. When it comes to the size of the lure I have had to change them out depending on the distance of the fish and how they have reacted to top water plugs. The 3.25 is a great plug for a fast "walk the dog". I like the 4.25 for a slower walk or a sub surface twitch. The 3.25 is also a little softer on windy days.
High Roller's Pinfish 3 inch Fingerling
Top Water
4.25 High Roller in Florida Special 3.25 High Roller in Gulf Coast Special
Trout
The trout fishing has picked up a lot since my last report. We are not putting the numbers of big trout in the boat so far like we did last year but we are hooking a few gators. My favorite things about fishing the big trout is that we always catch our best fish on top water. This year is no different. The only notable difference between this year and last is that the trout are a little spooky when it comes to nosey plugs. All of the gators we have boated this spring have been caught on the 4.25 High Rollers. They have all come using a slow but firm walk the dog. By firm I mean a sharp tap followed by a pause.
All of our big trout have come fishing shallow, grassy areas where there have been a good number of larger mullet. We have had most of our best catches within the first hour after sunrise. However, we have still put a few up to 9 lbs in the boat after noon.
until next time.....
Get out there and catch a memory.
Capt. Doug Blanton
To book a trip with Capt Doug go to www.sightfishing.com or call 321-432-9470 |
Capt Doug Blanton (Captdoug)
New member
Username: Captdoug
Post Number: 25
Registered: 2-2004
Rating: 
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 1:17 pm: | |
Flats Report for Cocoa
Beach & Titusville areas
January 6, 2006 fishing report by Capt Doug Blanton
Happy New year! As I sit
here writing this report I can't help but think about 2005 and all the things I
have to be thankful for. Besides my family's health and and the roof over my
head I am thankful for all of you that have fished with me this past year and
helped me to live my dream of being a guide. I am also thankful for all of you I
have had a chance to meet and talk about fishing at the docks and in the fly
shop. It has also been great hearing from those of you who trusted the advice I
gave you about the tackle I have found that works. I love here the stories about
catching fish.
I would also like to thank the guys at High Roller and G-loomis
for making such great products. I know we would have never put the fish we did
this past year in the boat if they didn't make such great products.
Well before I start to sound like I'm accepting some award I want to give you a
snapshot of 2005's redfish statistics. As you can see this year was a great year
for reds. You can also see just how bad the cold front hurt us in late October.
I hope you find this info useful. I am in the process of posting a statistic
page at www.sightfishing.com/statistic.html
Current fishing report
Well once again we are riding the rollercoaster. Every
winter we only have 2 types of trips in Cocoa Beach. The good, the slow and the
painful. Well maybe it's not that bad but when I look at what's around the
corner in February it feels that way. The reds are here. We even have some big
boys on our flats. I just can't tell you what your day is going to be like from
day to day. One day we will hook into numerous great fish. the next they wont
even look at your bait. The only thing that keeps us going is the chance of
hooking that big one and all the winter time fish that pass through.
If your
just looking for a tight line and want to here drag we do have a good number of
ladyfish (poor mans tarpon), blues, jacks, Spanish mackerel, Flounder, pompano
and a few others around. We have even seen a few tarpon (this is a long shot).
The question you have to ask yourself is, do you want to take a shot at the big
one or just have a good time.
Redfish
The reds have been real shy and spooky in
Cocoa Beach. We are seeing a good number it is just a matter of what mood they
are in from day to day. As many of you know I follow a barometer to determine
where, how and if I fish. Well over the years I have learned one thing when it
comes to winter, Don't follow the barometer. I have had days we just slammed the
reds in the winter when the pressure was so high I would have canceled a trip if
it had been summer. I have also had days the the fishing stunk and the pressure
was perfect. It is all hit and miss with it so my advice is don't even look.
On
days when the reds have been willing to play we have had our best luck with High
Roller's Black and Gold 3 inch Fingerling. Because these reds have been so
spooky we have had to make long cast and work this swim bait real slow. You have
to let them find the lure. If you are to aggressive with your retrieve you will
spook them off.
On the same days we have been able to get the reds to feed we have also been
having good luck with these EP flies.
Olive Suspended Shrimp
Gray Bay Anchovy
Pinfish
I have been throwing these
flies for some time now and have fallen in love with them. The are great for
people who sometimes have a hard time with larger flies because the EP fiber
doesn't hold water like most other flies. If you have a hard time finding these
flies give the guys at the Fly Fisherman a call and they can hook you up. There
number is 321-267-0348. They have a great selection of EP flies and tying
material.
As for where we are finding most of our fish, most have been in
shallow water near drop offs. If you can find bait you'll find the reds nearby.
Trout
Trout fishing has been slow. We have picked up a few fish but not really
enough to write a report about. The only thing I can say is that it wont be much
longer. A good winter time trick I like is BIG Topwater plugs in shallow water.
This is something I know that there are a lot of nonbelievers out there but I
can promise you this, Once you do it you will never want to fish winter time
trout any other way. What I do is get a rod you can throw at least 200 feet
with. I have a 10'6" G-loomis Noodle rod rigged with 8 pound test. Put about a 4
foot 20 pound fluorocarbon leader on with a blood knot. Then I use a 6.5 Rip
Roller in Florida Special as my weapon of choice. Then find a sheltered flat
with deep water nearby that is holding bait. Stay on the outside of the flat and
make long casts onto the flat. The key is tap it hard but let it sit for a good
20 seconds before taping it again. Keep in mind that when the water is cold
trout don't want to use very much energy to catch their meals. They also want
the most bang for the buck when it comes to what they eat. I have caught trout
up to 15 lbs doing this. It isn't good for a day if your looking for numbers,
but it is great for hooking a gator or two if you put in the time.
Everything else
There are still a good number of jacks, blues, Spanish mackerel,
pompano, ladyfish and flounder. One of the great things about fishing Cocoa
Beach is Port Canaveral is just a few minutes away. On days that the fishing has
slowed down or the wind has blown us off the flats we have been having a good
time playing with the drag burners. This has to be some of the easiest fishing
you can find on a clod winter day. all you need is something shinny with a hook
and some wire leader and your set. The port has been loaded with fish willing to
pull line. The only thing that's missing is you.
For the locals
Just a note
about our local Fly Shop, The Fly Fisherman in Titusville.
They have just about rapped up their remodeling and have increased their
inventory with all the supplies we need to feed our habits. They have a huge
selection of G-loomis rods, the new Ross fly reels and pliers, tons of new flies
and tying materials, the new SA redfish taper, a nice shipment of new Hobie
Kayaks, a lot more spinning rods and reels and much more.
The Fly fisherman is now also hosting a Thursday Night Social from 6 pm till 8
pm. This is a great time for you to talk to some of the locals about what
they've been using to catch fish, learn a few new fly patterns and get to know a
few people with our passion for fishing. Give John or Rich a call for more info
at 321-267-0348.
until next time.....
Get out there and catch a memory.
Capt. Doug Blanton
To book a trip with Capt Doug call 321-432-9470 or go to www.SightFishing.com |
Capt Doug Blanton (Captdoug)
New member
Username: Captdoug
Post Number: 24
Registered: 2-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 26, 2005 - 4:57 pm: | |
November 26th 2005 fishing report by Capt Doug Blanton
The bulls are grazing in the field!!!! I know it's a long story but those of you that have fished with me before know what I'm talking about. The bull reds have shown up but haven't been very cooperative yet. I do have some good news though. Our smaller 20 pounders have been a little more willing to pull a line. The only problem we have had has been finding them. They haven't fallen into a discernable pattern yet. This is typical for them in the winter. If we continue to have some stable weather it should only be a matter of time before they find an area and settle down.
Redfish
Redfishing has started to pick up a lot over the past week. On days when mother nature didn't blow us off the water we have been able to manage a few fish up to 25 lbs. The larger bulls have been a different story. We have been able to find them a few days but have yet to be able to get close enough to make a cast. All we need is a few calm, warm afternoons to calm these fish down enough to try to hook a run-a-way train.
On the few days that the wind hasn't been blowing at 20+ the reds have started to be a little more receptive to top water. Our best catches have come on a soft walk the dog with the 3.25 Florida Special High Roller and the 3.25 Green Back High Roller. One of the major advantages we have had has been the subtle action this lure can have. Our best catches have come by casting 10 to 20 feet over and to the side of the school and slowly retrieving it to within a few feet of the school before starting a gentle walk along their edge. Doing this the fish never see it coming and as long as you keep the action to a minimum it hasn't spooked them out.
3.25 Florida Special High Roller
4.25 Bone High Roller
On those days that the fish have been to spooky to think about top water we have been once again haven't good luck with the 3" 1/4 oz Trout or Pinfish Fingerlings. These swim baits have proven to be one of the best lures I have ever used for spooky fish. Earlier this year we had days on the water when nobody was able to get a red to hit anything and we were able to consistently put fish in the boat day after day. The key is putting it far enough in front of the school and letting them come to it before you start your retrieve.
3" 1/4 oz Trout Fingerlings
3" |
