Pompano slammed the beaches; Flounder season closed, but trout & hogfish winding down

Wow, the weather man actually got one right for a change. The predicted cold front was cold and with it came light northerly winds.

This type of weather moves the fish. Expect migratory species to be showing up along the Space Coast in full force this week.

Pompano and whiting catches are increasing along the beaches from Canaveral Seashore beaches to Sebastian Inlet. Use Fishbites to dial in on the action. Permit and jacks will be in the mix as well. Cast to the sand bar during the rising tides. Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, dolphin, tuna and sailfish are also coming back south with this weather.

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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.

• Flounder: Harvest closed from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30. Harvest re-opens Dec. 1.

• Hogfish: Harvest closed from Oct. 31 to April 30, 2023. Harvest re-opens May 1, 2023.

• Spotted seatrout:  Harvest closed from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 in Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin & Palm Beach counties. Harvest re-opens Jan. 1, 2023.

• Snook: Harvest closed from Dec. 15 through Jan. 31, 2023. Harvest re-opens Feb. 1, 2023.

• Grouper: Harvest closed from Jan. 1, 2023 through April 30, 2023. Harvest re-opens May 1, 2023. Includes gag grouper, red grouper, scamp and six other lesser species.

• Redfish: Harvest of redfish is banned in the Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon beginning Sept. 1.

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

• Lobster: Regular season opened Aug. 6.

• Dolphin: New fishing regulations began May 1 for state waters. Bag limit is now 5 fish per day per angler; Vessel limit is now 30 fish per day. Captain & crew may not be included in limit.

• Tilefish: A commercial fishing closure is in place beginning July 6 until Dec. 31, 2022.

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

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

Mosquito Lagoon

Expect the cooler temperatures to chill down the snook bite in the lagoon. Redfish, trout and black drum, however, will be biting on live shrimp, jerk baits with a 1/8-ounce jig head or even dead shrimp. Fish the shoreline south of the Biolab boat ramp or look for bites around the shorelines of islands in the lagoon.

Offshore

There has been a run of giant blue runners on the reefs in 100 feet of water. Almaco jacks, lesser amberjacks, vermilion snapper and mangrove snapper are providing anglers with bites. Dolphin, blackfin tuna and some sailfish are starting to migrate south with the cool air, too. Spanish mackerel and bluefish can be caught in 20-30 feet of water closer to the beach.

Surf

This zone really took off this week. Ahead of the front, a push of pompano came through Space Coast beaches enabling anglers fishing with Couture Fishing Co. Surf Fishing Charters to rack up the pomps. Whiting and pompano should bite pretty well as the front settles in. Use Fishbites EZ Flea or Yellow Crab if available.  A permit might bite now and then, too, or some big snook.

Sebastian Inlet

Wayne Landry of the Sebastian Inlet District fishing report said the snook bite was really god this week. The fish bit ahead of the front. Pompano and Spanish mackerel were caught by anglers fishing with Goofy jigs. The pomps hit when the jigs were in the lower part of the water column, macks in the upper part. There's also redfish being caught.

Indian River Lagoon

There are still spots to catch small tarpon in the Thousand Island area and in channels and cuts into and out of the Intracoastal Waterway. Speckled trout are biting in 2-3 feet of water. Use topwater plugs in finger mullet patterns or suspending lures to get bites. Redfish will hit them, too Flounder can be caught on sandy bottoms around rocky shorelines and causeways. Remember flounder harvest is closed so they must be released.

Freshwater

Much of the St. Johns River system is still above flood stages especially around State Road 46 between Mims and Sanford so use caution if boating anywhere.

Ed Killer is florida today's outdoors writer. Friend Ed on Facebook at Ed Killer, follow him on Twitter @tcpalmekiller or email him at  ed.killer@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Pompano run is on; Bluefish, mackerel following