Cobia are stalking Space Coast currents; Snapper fishing is very good on reefs

Two weekends in a row? What will we do with ourselves?

Offshore fishing will be the best game in town as there are a ton of targets available to the springtime bluewater angler. Snapper on the reefs. Tuna on the current edges. Mahi mahi in the Gulf Stream. Cobia and sharks in nearshore waters. Tripletail on the buoys.

Surf fishing may be a little slow, but black drum and snook fishing are definitely not. Pompano and Spanish mackerel may be on their way out of the Space Coast, but there will be lots of targets worth chasing if you have the right program.

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Closures & regulations changes in effect: Anglers are reminded about these fishery harvest closures currently underway and ones about to begin and end.

• Cobia: New bag and size limits for state waters. Bag limit: Two fish per vessel. Size limit: 36 inches fork lenght.

• Snook: Harvest opened Feb. 1. One fish bag limit, 28-32 inches, snook stamp required..

• Grouper: Harvest closed from Jan. 1, 2023, through April 30, 2023. Includes gag grouper, red grouper, black grouper, scamp, yellowfin grouper, yellowmouth, coney, graysby, red hind & rock hind. Harvest reopens May 1, 2023.

• Spotted seatrout:  Harvest open as of Jan. 1 in Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin & Palm Beach counties. Harvest closes November and December 2023.

• Flounder: Harvest reopened Dec. 1.

• Hogfish: Harvest closed from Nov. 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. Harvest reopens May 1, 2023.

• Redfish: Harvest of redfish is banned in the Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon beginning Sept. 1. FWC will re-evaluate later in the year.

• Alligator: Hunt season open Aug. 15-Nov. 1. Permits required.

• Lobster: 48-hour sport season (mini-season) open July 26-27, 2023. Regular season opens Aug. 6.

• Dolphin: New fishing regulations began May 1, 2022 for state waters. Bag limit is now five fish per day per angler; Vessel limit is now 30 fish per day. Captain and crew may not be included in limit.

• Tilefish: Harvest is open as of Jan. 1.

• Bass: Bass at Headwaters Lake will soon become all catch-and-release.

For complete fishing regulations in Florida go to MyFWC.com.

Mosquito Lagoon

The hunt for large black drum continues. Shallow water is helping anglers dial in on schools of big fish working the lagoon and northern Indian River Lagoon. Use live shrimp either freelined or under a popping cork. Jacks, trout, redfish and snook have been other catches possible in the same area.

Offshore

Cobia are around so be on the lookout if running out to fish for mahi mahi, blackfin tuna or snapper. Fired Up Fishing Charters out of Port Canaveral posted the catch of a 55-pounder. Many of the cobia seen are free swimming. Mangrove snapper and mutton snapper have been biting on the reefs in the southern part of the zone in 70-100 feet of water.

Surf

Whiting and croaker are being caught at Patrick Space Force beaches and Melbourne Beach. Pompano are scarce, but word is that many of them are still well to the south and have not begun their northward migration yet. One angler even reported the catch of a big black drum at Melbourne Beach.

Sebastian Inlet

Snook have been the main catch for anglers fishing from the jetties. Anglers are reminded that fishing from north jetty is a privilege not a right. Snook are taking shrimp and live baits from the reef and north side of north jetty. Redfish can also be caught from south jetty. Sheepshead and snapper are being caught from the catwalks under the bridge and the T Dock.

Indian River Lagoon

Fish the structure in the lagoon to catch sheepshead and black drum. Bridge pilings, dock pilings, seawalls, rocky shorelines all hold fish. Look for moving water to dial in on snook. As ambush predators, the snook will be lying on the bottom waiting for food to drift by them. Speckled trout will be in 2-3 feet of water and will hit topwater lures.

Freshwater

Some of the freshwater lakes are heating up to the point where algae blooms are beginning, like at Lake Washington. Use caution and watch for signage warning about fishing before engaging. At some of the lakes, the bluegill fishing has been getting better on live crickets and cane poles.

Ed Killer is an outdoors writer working for florida today and the USA Today Florida Network. Email him your fishing reports at ed.killer@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Central Florida fishing features cobia, snook, black drum & bluegills