Florida:
Atlantic Coast

Fishin' is a Heatin' up with the weather!

The reports are getting more into the spring-summer mode as the weather warms the water to spring like tempatures. We are starting to hear Snook and Redfish in almost every report. I expect to be seeing some Tarpon along the beach soon, OK so it will be a little while. But I am going to the Keys this week, So I will let you know. Get out there and catch'em up!
Tight lines and screamin' drags

Don't forget to send me your own reports, and until next week...

Tight Lines!

Jay Townsend

Florida's Atlantic Regions

Jacksonville

Capt. Larry Miniard (904) 285-5373 reports:
With the return of good weather and temperatures in the 80's the fishing has also heated up. We have had good catches of redfish and black drum using live bait. Trout fishing has been so-so, but some fish have been big. This fishery should only improve in the weeks to come. On 3/14/02 we found large numbers of reds in shallow water but couldn't get these fish to eat even on live bait. This is a good time for the fly fishermen; try very small fly patterns, such as shrimp or clousers. Fishing should continue to improve with the warm weather.
Good fishing and good luck.

Mosquito Lagoon - Titusville

This week's report on the upper Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon from Capt.John Kumiski (407)977-5207 This week's report on the upper Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon from Spotted Tail, updated 3/16

We had a long run of crappy weather, which hurt fly fishing. They're hard to fly fish when you can't see 'em. However, this last week has been pretty nice and the last couple of days just beautiful. The water in the lagoon system is still very low.

On Friday last week I fished Carl Chambers, a fly fisher from Colorado. There were plenty of fish in the Mosquito Lagoon, a beautiful day. Carl struggled with his casting, but was finally rewarded with a beautiful 5-pound trout. Saturday and Sunday I fished Rit Thompson, a fly caster from the DC area. Rit had another gorgeous day on Saturday and got two trout to five pounds and four redfish to ten pounds. Sunday we had 20-knot winds and overcast. The water got muddied up, and one trout of about 5 pounds was all we could do,

Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday I took my kids kayak camping at the north end of Mosquito Lagoon. We found a nice school or redfish behind an island and got five of them, all on flies, nice fish of 7 or 8 pounds.

Thursday I took the kids out of Port Canaveral, looking for Mr. Cobia. We hooked two, and Maxx put a 22 pounder in the boat. We also got a Jack Crevalle of 35 pounds and 6 tripletail to about 12 pounds. It was a wonderful day!

It's great to be alive, and I love my work!

Sebastian Inlet to Fort Pierce

Capt. eric T. Davis reports...The past few days the wind has let up, and the fish are cooperating. The spoil islands both north and south of the inlets have trout around them. Some off the islands that have good mangrove shorelines with depth will have Snook. The water conditions are very nice, not too clean, and not to dirty.

The clam lease that is north of Sebastian Inlet has had a variety of fish on it, and lots of them. Jacks, Ladyfish, Trout, and Bluefish are all there, and are very active. We have been drifting from one end to the other, and continually catching fish the whole time. Three to five feet of water, an intermediate line, and small baitfish, or clouser minnows, and you have your self a winning combination.

Some of the cleaner flats that have good shelter are holding redfish and trout. Grass patches or areas with scattered grass, are two things to look for. The trout will hang around those areas. The redfish have been cruising in and around the mangroves.
Capt. Eric T. Davis
www.verobackcountry.com

Stuart to Jupiter to Palm Beach

Jay Townsend, your fish-wire reporter, fished the past two days, and had lots of fun. Thursday was an offshore day and caught a small shark and an 8 lb. Dolphin. But it was near shore action that was fun on Friday. I hooked an estimated 50 lb. Cobia over a wreck in 25 ‘ of water. This was a great battle with the fish finally winning the battle, but not before a very good fight. I saw two more Cobia cruisin’ in 25’ as well. These are great targets for the fly fisherman, so get out there.

John B Sweeney reports...The Treasure Coast has been very productive this week. We have some great reports. The Jacks are here! Folks have been coming into the shop this week with reports of fish up to 30+ pounds. They seem are north of the St.Lucie inlet and south of Ft. pierce inlet. With the Jacks we have had reports of Bluefish at the Boils. Inside we still have the trout and Reds. Personally I had some Trout from 6 lb. to 12 lbs., mostly caught north of Ft. Pierce. All the trout were caught on Poppers before the sun had a chance to hit the water. Snook at night are still a good bet also. Keep your fly deep and just outside of the shadow line. Good fishing and let me know how you are doing at 772-287-6535 JOHN B.'s FLY&LIGHT TACKLE