Space Coast fishing: Wahoo, tarpon telling anglers It's not the dog days of summer yet

It's kind of a well-known fact that wahoo action is tied to moon phases. But what's lesser know is that a new moon will generate a chance to catch a wahoo almost as well as a full moon does.

Chalk it up to what the moon is doing to tides even in the deep parts of the sea. Wahoo will be out on the rips, nowhere near land. Get a bait down in the water column by using a trolling sinker, planer or downrigger if available. Rig an Ilander lure with sharp contrast — a black and red color combination or pink and blue — and keep trolling speeds high.

Closer to shore, tarpon, jacks, sharks and snook can be caught. Snapper fishing seems to e slowing down a little bit.

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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.

• Lobster: Regular season reopens Aug. 6.

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

• 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.

• Grouper: Shallow water grouper season is open May 1 through Dec. 31. That includes gag grouper, red grouper, scamp and six other lesser species.

• Hogfish: Harvest of hogfish is open May 1 through Oct. 31, 2022 in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida.

• 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

There is a pretty steady snook bite in this region right now. Using live mojarra, pinfish or croaker will get bites in Haulover Canal or along the shorelines of some of the islands in the lagoon. Live shrimp either freelined or under a popping cork is a good way to get bites from speckled trout, black drum or redfish.

Offshore

The snapper fishing has begun to cool off a little bit. Anglers are still catching dolphin, wahoo and sailfish in 120 to 200 feet of water. Kingfish are in 40 to 60 feet of water, as indicated by a 60-pounder caught July 23 by Tony Owens fishing on Fish Master charters with Capt. Jay Senne. Senne said his charter July 27 managed a cobia, some mutton snapper and mangrove snapper. Tarpon and kings have been around bait schools.

Surf

Seaweed is still plaguing surf fishing efforts along many Brevard County beaches. If anglers can find a beach without too much seaweed or worse, slime grass, they can catch a few whiting, croaker and jacks.

Sebastian Inlet

The slime grass and seaweed is having an effect on fishing at the jetties during the incoming tides. During outgoing tide, some cubera snapper, Spanish mackerel, jacks and mangrove snapper can be caught. Snook and oversized redfish, jacks and tarpon can all be caught on live baits drifted from a boat through the inlet.

Indian River Lagoon

Tarpon in the 20-40 pound range can be caught in channels on live bait or mullet. Black drum can be found schooling and will take cut crabs. Redfish are in 2-3 feet of water around points. Speckled trout can e caught in the same areas with live shrimp or jerk baits.

Freshwater

Bluegill and shellcracker are being caught at many area lakes by anglers fishing with live crickets or red wigglers under bobbers. Bass fishing is still productive, but less so with the heat.

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: Wahoo, tarpon keep Space Coast anglers engaged in fishing