It’s going to be a mild weather weekend for most. A cool front moving through the peninsula is going to kick up the seas a bit the next few days, so plans to fish offshore may have to wait, depending upon the size and type of vessel one has.

The good news is, these regular fronts move fish. Nearshore, pompano, bluefish and Spanish mackerel will continue to migrate through the Space Coast. Farther offshore, along the edges of the Gulf Stream, dolphin, blackfin tuna and sailfish will also be migrating. Anglers can find bites trolling ballyhoo and zig-zagging along the edges indicated by color changes or temperature changes.

Inshore, snook fans have about two weeks to harvest them. Redfish and speckled trout must all be released throughout the area — redfish until further notice, trout until Jan. 1.

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

• Flounder: Harvest re-opens Dec. 1.
• Snook: Harvest closed from Dec. 15 through Jan. 31, 2023. Harvest reopens Feb. 1, 2023.
• Spotted seatrout:  Harvest closed from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 in Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin & Palm Beach counties. Harvest reopens Jan. 1, 2023.
• Hogfish: Harvest closed from Nov. 1 to April 30, 2023. Harvest reopens May 1, 2023.
• Grouper: Harvest closed from Jan. 1, 2023, through April 30, 2023. Harvest reopens May 1, 2023. Includes gag grouper, red grouper, scamp and six other lesser species.
• Redfish: Harvest of redfish is banned in the Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon beginning Sept. 1.
• Alligator: Hunt season is open Aug. 15-Nov. 1. Permits required.
• Lobster: Regular season opened Aug. 6.
• Dolphin: New fishing regulations began May 1 for state waters. Bag limit is now five fish per day per angler; Vessel limit is now 30 fish per day. Captain and crew may not be included in limit.
• Tilefish: A commercial fishing closure is in place beginning July 6 until Dec. 31.
• Bass: Bass at Headwaters Lake will soon become all catch-and-release.

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

Mosquito Lagoon

Snook fishing has been surprisingly good as the water temperatures have remained high. Use freelined live shrimp or one under a popping cork to get bites from jacks, trout, redfish and black drum. Fish along the shorelines and around the islands.

Offshore

The sea conditions will be a little sporty by Sunday, but when seas allow, look for dolphin, blackfin tuna and sailfish along the current edges of the Gulf Stream as the fish head south. Reefs have been producing mangrove snapper, lane snapper, triggerfish and sharpnose sharks. Mackerel, both king and Spanish, have been in 20-40 feet of water. 

Surf

Some of the beaches along the Space Coast have been fishable while others are still problematic from the erosion created by Hurricane Nicole. At the fishable beaches, pompano, jacks, bluefish and Spanish mackerel are within casting range. Use Fishbites since sand fleas are still non-existent. To catch the mackerel or bluefish, use flashy jigs in chrome or steel blue and reel fast.

Sebastian Inlet

 The state park is open to visitors and anglers can fish the shorelines, beaches and south jetty. North jetty is still closed until further notice because the grates are off the deck. Flounder can be caught from the T Dock. Remember, they are allowed to come home now for dinner as of Dec. 1. Snook, pompano and jacks can be caught from the south jetty.

Indian River Lagoon

There are speckled trout being caught on the flats west of the Thousand Islands in Cocoa Beach. Use topwater plugs at first light then switch to Slayer Lures XXT jerk baits. Redfish and snook can be caught around structure like docks, bridges, seawall corners and channel edges. Black drum schools are in the area between the train bridge and the Max Brewer Causeway in Titusville. Pompano are around the spoil islands in Grant hitting jigs.

Freshwater

Crappie fishing has been pretty good in the later afternoons as the temperatures drop a little bit. Use 1/6 or1/31-ounce jigs and fish over structure or brush piles. Bass are being caught along ledges using lipless crank baits.