02-04-2003, 03:08 AM
[font "Arial"][size 2][#312c98]2/03/2003 Flats fishing report for the Titusville & Cocoa Beach area. By Capt Doug Blanton[/#312c98]
[#312c98]Redfish[/#312c98] [center][#312c98]The water on the flats is around 65 and air temp is in the 70's and it's that Time of year again. [/#312c98][/center]
[#312c98]For all of those of you who have fished with me and asked me to let you know when the Bull Reds are here, [/#312c98][#ff0000]THEY ARE HERE.[/#ff0000][#312c98] Get out your rods and practice your long casting though. It has been hard getting a lure in front of them with the water as clear as it is. You can see these big boys up to 100 yards away when they are moving across a flat. In the time you have to get a shot at them you may be able to get more than one cast but not very often. The only good thing is if you give it enough time you will be able to get a second chance. [/#312c98]
[#312c98]Last year our biggest fish we put in the boat was just over 52 inches. and the year before that we went 2 weeks without putting a fish under 45 inches in the boat. So, the best time to hook into one of these fish is between now and around the 3rd week in March. By the way, most of these fish we catch are on top water. [/#312c98]
[#312c98]Your best shot at a bull will be just on the outer edge of the flats in 3 to 4 feet of water and caught on top water. Try putting a Rip Roller 50 feet or so in front of the reds wile they are pushing looking for that next meal. Twitch it when they get around 5 feet away. Once they are within 2 to 3 feet of it twitch it as if you were the lure that was about to be eaten. This brings out that instinctual chase. Once they start after your lure, Do Not Stop and get ready for the fight of a lifetime. [/#312c98]
[#312c98]My favorite top water lure to use for these monsters is the [url "http://www.donraystudio.com/fishinglures.htm"][#0000ff]3 1/4" HighRoller™ in Florida Special or Blue Green[/#0000ff][/url] I know I am always talking about the Rip Roller, but once you have fished it you will be talking about it just like I do.[/#312c98]
[#312c98]On the soft plastic days try slowly working one of [/#312c98][#312c98]Cotee's [url "http://www.donraystudio.com/fishinglures.htm"][#0000ff]Reel Magic[/#0000ff][/url] rigged with a 5/0 [url "http://http://www.eangler.com/eangler/proshop/productdetail.asp?prod%5Fid=2508&"][#0000ff]Daiichi Bleeding Copperhead Hook[/#0000ff][/url] just in front on them. This time of year I have my best luck on the [url "http://www.donraystudio.com/fishinglures.htm"][#0000ff]rainbow trout[/#0000ff][/url][url "http://www.donraystudio.com/fishinglures.htm"][#0000ff] and black/gold/flk[/#0000ff][/url] Let the fish find the bait! When the reds become a little lethargic you will get a lot more hookups by letting them think they found dinner without having to work for it. [/#312c98] [center] [/center]
[#312c98]For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug [url "http://www.indianriver.cc/fishing_trips.htm"][#800080]click here[/#800080][/url][/#312c98][/size][/font]
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[#312c98]Redfish[/#312c98] [center][#312c98]The water on the flats is around 65 and air temp is in the 70's and it's that Time of year again. [/#312c98][/center]
[#312c98]For all of those of you who have fished with me and asked me to let you know when the Bull Reds are here, [/#312c98][#ff0000]THEY ARE HERE.[/#ff0000][#312c98] Get out your rods and practice your long casting though. It has been hard getting a lure in front of them with the water as clear as it is. You can see these big boys up to 100 yards away when they are moving across a flat. In the time you have to get a shot at them you may be able to get more than one cast but not very often. The only good thing is if you give it enough time you will be able to get a second chance. [/#312c98]
[#312c98]Last year our biggest fish we put in the boat was just over 52 inches. and the year before that we went 2 weeks without putting a fish under 45 inches in the boat. So, the best time to hook into one of these fish is between now and around the 3rd week in March. By the way, most of these fish we catch are on top water. [/#312c98]
[#312c98]Your best shot at a bull will be just on the outer edge of the flats in 3 to 4 feet of water and caught on top water. Try putting a Rip Roller 50 feet or so in front of the reds wile they are pushing looking for that next meal. Twitch it when they get around 5 feet away. Once they are within 2 to 3 feet of it twitch it as if you were the lure that was about to be eaten. This brings out that instinctual chase. Once they start after your lure, Do Not Stop and get ready for the fight of a lifetime. [/#312c98]
[#312c98]My favorite top water lure to use for these monsters is the [url "http://www.donraystudio.com/fishinglures.htm"][#0000ff]3 1/4" HighRoller™ in Florida Special or Blue Green[/#0000ff][/url] I know I am always talking about the Rip Roller, but once you have fished it you will be talking about it just like I do.[/#312c98]
[#312c98]On the soft plastic days try slowly working one of [/#312c98][#312c98]Cotee's [url "http://www.donraystudio.com/fishinglures.htm"][#0000ff]Reel Magic[/#0000ff][/url] rigged with a 5/0 [url "http://http://www.eangler.com/eangler/proshop/productdetail.asp?prod%5Fid=2508&"][#0000ff]Daiichi Bleeding Copperhead Hook[/#0000ff][/url] just in front on them. This time of year I have my best luck on the [url "http://www.donraystudio.com/fishinglures.htm"][#0000ff]rainbow trout[/#0000ff][/url][url "http://www.donraystudio.com/fishinglures.htm"][#0000ff] and black/gold/flk[/#0000ff][/url] Let the fish find the bait! When the reds become a little lethargic you will get a lot more hookups by letting them think they found dinner without having to work for it. [/#312c98] [center] [/center]
[#312c98]For more information on Flats fishing with Capt. Doug [url "http://www.indianriver.cc/fishing_trips.htm"][#800080]click here[/#800080][/url][/#312c98][/size][/font]
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