Winter pompano run fires up
Surf & Piers

Catches of a half dozen or more "monster pompano" per day per angler are being caught, said local angler George Sharp. Local angler Roy Mattson said bull whiting, black drum and sheepshead have also been active feeders in the surf.

Tomoka Basin &

Halifax River

Capt. Paul Messick guided Wayne and Kyle Kopicki from Pennsylvania and got a couple of small reds and trout along the shorelines.

Capt. Messick said daytime dock action has been "pretty good" for reds, trout, and sheepshead.

Capt. Messick also guided Bob and Jamie Gaines of Apalachicola and put them on a 15-pound tarpon on the Tomoka River past U.S. 1.

He said the tarpon hit a MirrOlure and E.P. pinfish flies.

Near High Bridge, Willard said snook should be getting more aggressive in coming weeks as water temps cool.

Mosquito Lagoon

& Indian River Lagoon

Capt. Scott Tripp of New Smyrna Outfitters in New Smyrna Beach said windy weather has really dictated fishing tactics lately.

Capt. Tripp said to look for a few hours of calm weather in the morning to get some sight casting in and go with white colors. He has found Rapala Skitter Walks have been the most productive lately, with white salt-and-pepper colored soft plastics and pearl-colored Gulp! baits also working very well.

He said once the wind picks up and you can't sight fish, go from sand hole to sand hole and pitch live shrimp.

The reds haven't formed any big schools yet, he said. He's mostly finding them solo or in pairs.

_________________
"Fish, I love you and respect you very much. But I will kill you dead before this day ends."
Ernest Hemingway

TEAM: Next Generation Anglers

NATIVE ULTIMATE 12

Thanks for the winter forecast!