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Redfish rally, mahi mahi migration, kingfish on the reefs: Spring Space Coast fishing

Ed Killer, Florida Today
·4 min read

Space Coast anglers have a lot to look forward to the next couple of days: Redfish are being caught inside the lagoons and outside the inlets; The dolphin run is officially underway; Kingfish have moved onto the reefs; Pompano are on their way back north; snook are busting bait wherever they can find it; and finally, tarpon are showing up, too.

If you've ben waiting for the right time to wet a line, this weekend is it. Don't waste it.

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Giant redfish and oversized snook are staging on the reef at the end of the Sebastian Inlet's north jetty. Fish like this, caught and released March 24, 2022 with Capt. Glyn Austin of Going Coastal charters, can be hooked using live croakers or crabs.
Giant redfish and oversized snook are staging on the reef at the end of the Sebastian Inlet's north jetty. Fish like this, caught and released March 24, 2022 with Capt. Glyn Austin of Going Coastal charters, can be hooked using live croakers or crabs.

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

  • Lobster: Lobster season is closed beginning April 1. Mini-season is July 27-28. Regular season reopens Aug. 6.

  • Grouper: Shallow water grouper are prohibited from harvest Jan. 1 through April 30, 2022. That includes gag grouper, red grouper, scamp and six other lesser species.

  • Hogfish: No harvest of hogfish is allowed in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida from Nov. 1 through April 30, 2022. Harvest re-opens May 1, 2022.

  • Red snapper: No harvest allowed, unless a fishing season is granted in July.

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

Mosquito Lagoon

Capt. Jon Lulay of 2 Castaway Charters in Titusville steered his clients to personal best catches of overslot redfish in Haulover Canal on split blue crabs. In the skinny water of the lagoon, there are black drum, redfish and speckled trout being caught around the islands and along the shorelines. The water is so shallow, sight casting is possible. Use live shrimp or artificial shrimp for best bets on accurate casts.

Offshore

Those favorite green and gold fish we all love to pursue offshore have finally arrived along the currents of the Gulf Stream. Long runs to the stream will be productive. Take along ballyhoo in order to troll and keep an eye out for signs of where a current edge has set up — diving birds, color changes, temperature changes or floating objects and sargassum seaweed. Kingfish are being caught on the reefs closer to shore. Lane snapper and mangrove snapper fishing is also very good as fish are schooling to spawn.

Surf

Surf casters looking for Spanish mackerel and bluefish might be disappointed. Try long casts beyond the sand bar with jigs or spoons, but the feeling is that many of these popular dinner guests (especially fresh mackerel) may have pushed back north already. Reports from the southern region where they overwinter have been bleak. Pompano, though, are moving along the beaches heading back north. Pieces of shrimp, Fishbites and Fish Gum are reliable offerings to use.

Overslot redfish are schooled up on the reef just offshore of the north jetty at Sebastian Inlet. This one was caught and released March 24, 2022 while fishing live croakers with Capt. Glyn Austin of Going Coastal charters.
Overslot redfish are schooled up on the reef just offshore of the north jetty at Sebastian Inlet. This one was caught and released March 24, 2022 while fishing live croakers with Capt. Glyn Austin of Going Coastal charters.

Sebastian Inlet

Capt. Glyn Austin of Going Coastal charters in Palm Bay has been steering his anglers to catches of oversized redfish, oversized snook, tarpon, jacks and sharks while fishing with live bait in the inlet and off the north jetty on that well known rockpile there. Live croakers and crabs are irresistible to these big targets. The beginning of the outgoing tide has been a good time to try to catch them.

Indian River Lagoon

Topwater plugs fished at daybreak is a great way t dial in on the speckled trout action on the flats. The fish are in 2-4 feet of water and will be lying low looking up waiting to ambush small baits. Try Skitterwalks, Hydro-pencils, 7M series MirrOlures or Bombers to get bites. Snook, tarpon and jacks will also blow up on these topwaters. For redfish and black drum, fish live shrimp, cut bait or cut crabs closer to the channels.

Freshwater

It's been a pretty good spring to target bass with wild shiners. The fish are slamming everything they can get to. Bluegill and shellcracker fishing is getting better as the water temperatures warm up steadily. Use live crickets and fish along reeds, maidencane or Kissimmee grass to get bites.

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 will find redfish, dolphin, kingfish abundant