Thanksgiving pompano for Space Coast anglers; Snook, Spanish mackerel bite still solid

Ed Killer, Florida Today
·3 min read

Thanksgiving weekend is upon us and the fishing action should be pretty good. Pompano, Spanish mackerel, bluefish and further offshore, sailfish, dolphin, blackfin tuna and wahoo are all migrating south as the day periods grow shorter.

So while you work through those yummy leftovers all weekend, you'll have plenty of fishing action to look forward to. The surf, offshore and lagoon fishing should all be solid with plenty of targets ready to bite.

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Big jack crevalle are marauding in Sebastian Inlet like this one Nov. 19, 2022 caught with Going Coastal charters and Capt. Glyn Austin.
Big jack crevalle are marauding in Sebastian Inlet like this one Nov. 19, 2022 caught with Going Coastal charters and Capt. Glyn Austin.

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

  • Flounder: Harvest opens Dec. 1.

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

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

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

  • Grouper: Harvest closed from Jan. 1, 2023, through April 30, 2023. Harvest reopens 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 is 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 five fish per day per angler; Vessel limit is now 30 fish per day. Captain and crew may not be included in limit.

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

  • 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 snook fishing is still steady in this zone as water temperatures remain warm. Live shrimp fished in this area can pull in the snook as well as speckled trout, redfish, black drum and jacks. Freeline the shrimp or fish them under a popping cork to generate a little action and sound to entice the bite.

Offshore

In the western edge of the Gulf Stream, trolling ballyhoo can get anglers action from southward migrating mahi mahi, blackfin tuna, wahoo and sailfish. The best depths are 120 to 180 feet. Look for color changes to know if you're in the right spot. Snapper, triggerfish and sharpnose sharks can be caught on the reefs in 70-90 feet of water. Grouper and amberjack have been on the deep ledges.

Surf

Pompano are being caught in the surf zone on long casts to the sand bar. Use Fishbites, Fish Gum or pieces of shrimp for bait. Pomps and whiting are being caught at Canaveral Seashore, Jetty Park, Patrick Space Force beaches and the public access of Melbourne beaches.

Sebastian Inlet

The state park is open on both sides, but the north jetty is still closed until further notice. No timetable has been given for repairs to open back up. Boaters can find snook, redfish, jacks and flounder biting. Also, anglers fishing from the south jetty and the T dock are catching the same.

Indian River Lagoon

Thousand Islands has been a good place to fish to catch snook in the mangroves there. Anglers are using live shrimp or jerk baits to catch them. Black drum can be found in schools closer to the railroad bridge in Titusville. Look for the schools on 4-5 feet of water. Flounder can be caught in areas where there is sandy bottom near rocky outcroppings. Harvest for them re-opens Dec. 1.

Freshwater

Use caution when boating on lakes and sections of the St. Johns River north of Lake Washington. Look out for submerged objects which can't be easily seen because of the high water.

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: Some Space Coast anglers will have pompano along with their turkey