So far this year has been a banner (awesome) season. The cobia came and went in about a 2 day period. Just prior to what is supposed to be the best time for them, March. Awesome start. Then the king run that normally comes on strong around April never really came. Instead we were surprised big time by the mid April run of mahi that was off the charts for almost 2 weeks, (About a month early). Then while we waited for the feds to make up there mind if we were going to be allowed to kill a few red snapper, Denied. To say this year so far has been anything predictable is far from the truth. Now don’t get me wrong, fishing hasn’t been terrible and not every day is a dump. If you search and try hard enough you will find a few fish. Here’s the best forecast I can give for what we are supposed to have historically.
By the time your reading this, the thermocline should be about over. That means the bunker will be back to normal and hopefully easier to get than they have been. Keep your sabiki rigs handy in case you cant find those bunks. If your looking for tarpon, they have been consistant around the Patrick area. Use fluorocarbon and an 8/0 hook.
Head offshore with the live bait and work the wrecks and reefs. All sorts of species are around. Use the live bait stinger rigs and slow troll. Don’t forget to use a downrigger at the 40 foot mark. We have been pulling some nice AJ on the troll. Always makes a nice surprise for a charter. We have been steady pecking away at sails, blackfins, mahi and cobia as well. All on the live bait slow troll. I have no idea what those guys zig zagging around everyone are doing at 8 knots dragging there baits on top. Go slow. Maybe 1-1.5knots let the bait swim and look natural for the best results.
If the troll isn’t so hot take your live baits and drop them down on a three way, Grouper, AJ and of course reds are doing just fine too.
I hope this helps out a little. Good luck and have a great June from your premier fishing guide charters of Cocoa Beach Port Canaveral Orlando Florida area