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THE CANAVERAL CYCLE "A calendar of the most reliable opportunities for offshore success" By Capt. Tony Russell, Hat Trick Charters, Port Canaveral, Fl. 321-453-6839 Jan ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grouper/Snapper - 21 and 27 Fathom Ridges, wrecks, Pelican flats King Mackerel - 8A and Pelican Flats - Slow troll frozen sardines Cobia - Wrecks and sight-fishing Manta Rays - Jigs and live bait Blackfin Tuna - Chumming around anchored shrimp boats,130-180 ft Wahoo/Sailfish - Rigged Ballyhoo, fast troll for Wahoo, 130 ft - 270ft Feb --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grouper/Snapper - no change - live Bait, Squid, sardines King Mackerel - no change - sardines or live bait if available Cobia - no change - if warm look for fish on surface inshore too Blackfin Tuna - providing shrimp boats are present Wahoo/Sailfish - depending on weather, can be outstanding March ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Grouper/Snapper - no change - Deep water spots improve King mackerel - Live bait produces best on 8A and Pelican Flats Cobia - when water warms fish move to beach - Bait pods on beach Dolphin, Wahoo, Sails - Spring migration kicks in as water warms April -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grouper/Snapper - spring time brings excellent fishing Amberjack - deep water wrecks using deep jigs or live bait King Mackerel - no change - also around bait pods inshore Cobia - great fishing inshore around bait pods and manta rays Dolphin - Great month providing clean water and weed lines present May --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grouper/Snapper/Amberjack - 27 fathom ridge to Cones area King Mackerel - no change - live bait only Cobia - numbers dwindle inshore, some big fish caught on reefs Dolphin/Wahoo - great trolling, target weed lines, rips, color edges Yellowfin Tuna - far-side gulf stream for long range boats 80-110 mile June -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grouper/Snapper/Amberjack - 27 fathom ridge to Cones area King Mackerel - Large "Smokers" on offshore reefs Dolphin - great fishing continues, possible Marlin on larger baits Tarpon/Kings/Jacks - inshore along beach Yellowfin Tuna - good thru Sept, hi speed lures near feeding birds July --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grouper/Snapper/Amberjack - reliable except during cold currents King Mackerel - Outstanding inshore, use live bait for large fish Yellowfin Tuna - remains reliable on far-side of stream 65-85 miles Tarpon/Jacks/Barracuda - Slow-troll live bait near the beach. Aug --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grouper/Snapper/Amberjack - no change King Mackerel - Best time for Big fish! Live bait and Ribbon Yellowfin Tuna - Larger fish are caught in late summer. 55-85 miles Tarpon/Jacks/Barracuda - sight fish, cast jigs, plugs, troll live bait Sept --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grouper/Snapper - no change, available on reefs and wrecks. King Mackerel - Some large fish still remain, reliable on reefs. Yellowfin Tuna - last month to catch these fish reliably until next year Tarpon/Jacks/Barracuda - still hot, availability will decrease Oct --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grouper/Snapper - Fish transition to shallower water King Mackerel - still reliable, also inshore along migrating bait schools Cobia - Will be found following southward migrating bait, manta rays Wahoo - Great month for hi-speed trolling in 240 -280 ft (Cones) Blackfin Tuna - Great action chumming behind shrimp boats Nov -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grouper/Snapper - Can be outstanding with clean water. King Mackerel - Slow troll them around the mullet schools. Cobia - Sight fish them with jigs near mullet schools, also on wrecks Dolphin/Wahoo - Can be hot along weed lines and Cones area Blackfin Tuna - Continue to be excellent near shrimp boats Dec --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grouper/Snapper - great along 21 and 27 Fathom Ridge King Mackerel - 8A reef and Pelican Flats. Slow troll frozen sardines Cobia - Use jigs and live bait on wrecks Blackfin Tuna - Chumming around shrimp boats still great Wahoo/Sailfish - the right conditions can bring excellent catches Note: This calendar is not intended to represent all available species out of Canaveral. It is a guide to the most reliable offshore options for the given month. The species are not listed by priority. |