Spring training: Mahi mahi, snook & sheepshead are biting on Space Coast

Calm weekend ahead? Did we all read the Marine Weather Forecast correctly?

You bet we did. Seas less than 2 feet.

All. Weekend. Long.

You know what that means. It's open season on your favorite fishing targets. As the boys of summer begin their spring games in Florida, many anglers will be making alternate plans to seek out cobia, mahi mahi, snapper and mackerel; pompano, whiting and Spanish mackerel; Snook, tripletail and tarpon, flounder, sheepshead, speckled perch and bass.

It's game on for fishing the next few days so fuel up the boat, break out the rods and get the fryers and grills ready. It's going to be busy at the fish cleaning tables. Good luck.

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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

Capt. Jon Lulay of 2 Castaway Charters in Titusville said he continues stalking schools of giant black drum in shallow waters of the Mosquito and northern Indian River lagoons. Fly, live shrimp even dead shrimp are working on the fish. Use stealth to approach the schools within casting range. Other incidental catches include snook, redfish and trout.

Offshore

The first rule of cobia season is to not talk about cobia season. But we're going to anyway. Cobia can be found free swimming in small schools of 7 or 8 at a time. Use 2-ounce flare-type jigs in pink, white or chartreuse and heavy 30-pound spinning rods to pitch jigs in front of the schools. Manta rays and sharks have not been seen with the cobes. As the jig sinks, the fish will pick it up. Remember, new size limits are 36 inches to the fork and only two fish per vessel may be kept.

Surf

This is the time of year when pompano begin migrating back north. They'll be moving along Space Coast beaches for the next two months. Fish incoming tides with Fish Bites or Fish Gum with or without pieces of shrimp. Cast 100 or 125 yards to be in the best zone for pompano. Whiting, blue runners, snook and flounder will be occasional catches, too.

Sebastian Inlet

There has been a good snook bite at the inlet. Use live croaker, live shrimp or cut bait to get bites. Tripletail can be caught round structure like bridge pilings or channel markers. Just outside the inlet, there has been a school of spinner sharks and blacktip sharks which can be seen jumping acrobatically and spiraling. Other catches include sheepshead, snapper, jacks and occasional flounder.

Indian River Lagoon

Speckled trout fishing has been steady on the flats in 2-4 feet of water. Use topwater plugs like Skitterwalks, Badonkadonks or Yo-Zuri Hydro Pencils to generate bites at dawn or in low light conditions. Redfish have been caught & released around the Thousand Islands in Cocoa Beach. Fish near Hog Point for jacks, ladyfish, snook and flounder.

Freshwater

Use stick worms, topwater frogs or lipless crank baits to get bites from bedding bass on area lakes, ponds and in canals. Wild shiners are also working well. Speck fishing is also still strong on live minnows and speck jigs.

Ed Killer is a columnist for florida today. Email your fishing report and photos to ed.killer@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Spring training for Space Coast anglers: Mahi mahi, snook, sheepshead