Space Coast anglers: Head offshore for tuna, grouper, mahi mahi
Calm seas will invite anglers offshore the next few days. Watch those social media posts for yellowfin tuna and blackfin tuna, plus large mahi mahi.
Grouper fishing will be good, too, as long as the current allows.
Along the beach, it is less about pompano and more about whiting. The whiting are biting everywhere there is no sargassum.
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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.
Dolphin: New fishing regulations begin May 1 for state waters. Bag limit will change from 10 fish per day to 5 fish per day; Vessel limit will go from 60 fish per day to 30 fish per day. Captain & crew may not be included in limit.
Grouper: Shallow water grouper season will be open May 1 through Dec. 31. That includes gag grouper, red grouper, scamp and six other lesser species.
Hogfish: Harvest of hogfish will open May 1 through Oct. 31, 2022 in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida.
Lobster: Lobster season closed April 1. Mini-season is July 27-28. Regular season reopens Aug. 6.
Red snapper: No harvest allowed, unless a fishing season is granted in July. An announcement is expected in May.
For complete fishing regulations in Florida go to MyFWC.com.
Mosquito Lagoon
Anglers fishing in the Mosquito Lagoon will want to try fishing the points for redfish and trout. Spots like Pelican Island and Galliniper Point and the Middle Banks will give anglers a shot at both in the shallow waterway. Live shrimp will give anglers a chance at catching black drum. Use a popping cork with the live shrimp to get better bites.
Offshore
Tuna fishing will be good on the other side and the sea conditions will enable anglers to get there. Anglers will use radar to find the birds and there may be tuna underneath. Yellowfin tuna as large as 70 or 80 pounds will be in the mix. There also will be mahi mahi, wahoo and blackfin tuna. The grouper fishing, if the current allows, will be really good in 100 to 150 feet of water, Use dead sardines.
Surf
There has been good fishing for whiting at beaches where sargassum weed is light or hasn't shown up at all. Pompano, bluefish and Spanish mackerel are mostly gone. There are jacks, tarpon and king mackerel to be caught on pogies.
Sebastian Inlet
Snook fishing is driving angler interest right now because the thrre month closure is coming June 1. It's the last chance to catch a snook and toss it in the freezer. Other catches include redfish, black drum and snapper. There is bait around and that gives anglers a chance to catch tarpon and redfish.
Indian River Lagoon
Fishing around the Thousand Island, Houseboat Cut and Big Island in the Banana River lagoon has yielded catches of tarpon, snook and redfish. These spots will continue to produce as temperatures climb. Use live shrimp, artificial shrimp or soft jigs to get bites fishing on the bottom.
Freshwater
Former Indian River County sheriff Deryl Loar said the bass bite is on fire at Headwaters Lake, Loar had a day with 23 bass including five over five pounds. Shiners aren't working as well, but mid-depth baits are working pretty well.
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: Space Coast anglers:: Tuna, mahi mahi top the catch list
