Spring Trip

[madshark]

Me and a friend are going to go to the East Coast this spring to fish. Probably between Sebastain Inlet and West Palm. I have done a lot of homework on Google Earth to look for what appear to be some decent spots. I'm not looking for anyone's honey holes. Would never ask that. I do have some questions about tackle, bait gathering, camping regulations, etc. If there is anyone willing to discuss those things, I would appreciate your input.

If you would, just post here or PM me or I can be contacted at:
Mark Duncan
713-894-2418
madshark@sbcglobal.net

Does anyone have the name or phone # of Mike Palmer's shop.

Mark Duncan

[fixed80]

what do you want to know about tackle, bait catching, etc?

[madshark]

Some of my questions are.

1) In that area, is there a lot of lateral current? What and how much weight do you use to anchor a bait?

2) What are preferred baits in the area?

3) Is there a marina or fish market close where fresh fish or even heads can be had?

4) Some of the areas of Florida I've been in have significant populations of rays in the surf. Is it the same in this area? Would there be a point in bringing gigs?

5) What are the preferred lures/baits to catch baits from the surf, in this area?

6) What kind of water temps would we be looking at around the first or second week of May?

7) A lot of the places I have looked at on arial maps have parking area along the highway. What are the regs on overnight stays on the beach? How about lanterns on the beach? Are dogs allowed?

Can you get on the beach in any of the area around Cape Canaveral? That point looks awesome.

That's all that comes to mind, right now.

Mark Duncan

[Jordan]

?

Can you get on the beach in any of the area around Cape Canaveral? That point looks awesome.

Mark Duncan

I think that's near Cocoa Beach if i'm correct. It's a really nice beach. There's a fish market near there too.

[fixed80]

first of all........ no, private property on the Kennedy Space Center.

Some of my questions are.

1) In that area, is there a lot of lateral current? What and how much weight do you use to anchor a bait?

depending on the wind. you can use a beak off weight like a 3 hole red brick.

2) What are preferred baits in the area?

ladyfish, bluefish, jack, catfish, rays, big mullet, etc.

3) Is there a marina or fish market close where fresh fish or even heads can be had?

no clue.

4) Some of the areas of Florida I've been in have significant populations of rays in the surf. Is it the same in this area? Would there be a point in bringing gigs?

no.

5) What are the preferred lures/baits to catch baits from the surf, in this area?

you can use cut or live finger mullet for the blues.

6) What kind of water temps would we be looking at around the first or second week of May?

hell if i know.

7) A lot of the places I have looked at on arial maps have parking area along the highway. What are the regs on overnight stays on the beach? How about lanterns on the beach? Are dogs allowed?

dont try it man. police patrol heavy along the beaches at night. they really want no one out there.

Can you get on the beach in any of the area around Cape Canaveral? That point looks awesome.

in cape Canaveral yes. the point is zero access to the public meaning no person is allowed on the point known as the false cape. but if you work at KSC........ then you can i heard.

[Get-em-wet]

Some of my questions are.

1) In that area, is there a lot of lateral current? What and how much weight do you use to anchor a bait?

i use mainly use Concrete Cylinders from concrete testing labs (since i work for one) they weigh about 8 lbs and i have seen them move in the current in the areas you are talking about. There is no set weight you need you just need something that is heavy enough for the day you will be fishing...just start big and bring a hammer with you and break them down.

[techie22311]

Some of my questions are.

1) In that area, is there a lot of lateral current? What and how much weight do you use to anchor a bait?

i use mainly use Concrete Cylinders from concrete testing labs (since i work for one) they weigh about 8 lbs and i have seen them move in the current in the areas you are talking about. There is no set weight you need you just need something that is heavy enough for the day you will be fishing...just start big and bring a hammer with you and break them down.

crowbars are good anchors too plus you can use them to beat the bears that roam that particular area.

[madshark]

Sounds like sandbags are the way to go. I can just load as much as I need and the burlap just rots away. And not a lot of weight to carry around.

I see plenty of pics of guys fishing this area at night, so obviously there are some areas that can be fished at night. I do understand the concept of fishing vs. camping.

[Frogfish101]

I use 8 oz kingfish weights, and they hold in the strongest of currents in NC...so it's more than adequate for FL

[Get-em-wet]

I use 8 oz kingfish weights, and they hold in the strongest of currents in NC...so it's more than adequate for FL

an 8 oz weight will not hold in the currents here buddy...like i've said i've seen 8 lb concrete cylinders move in the current here...also an 8 oz weight won't hold a 2 lb piece of meat.

[bolo]

an 8 oz weight will not hold in the currents here buddy...like i've said i've seen 8 lb concrete cylinders move in the current here...also an 8 oz weight won't hold a 2 lb piece of meat.

I agree, There no way a 8oz weight will hold down a big shark bait.

[fixed80]

an 8 oz weight will not hold in the currents here buddy...like i've said i've seen 8 lb concrete cylinders move in the current here...also an 8 oz weight won't hold a 2 lb piece of meat.

I agree, There no way a 8oz weight will hold down a big shark bait.

if the current is too strong, then the surf is probly big, or at least in most areas. so a calmer day would be better to SF anyway.

[Get-em-wet]

it can be calm and current can still rip...just because surf is big doesn't mean current isn't moving. Big surf can move the line and make it hard to fish along with current...but still with enough weight anything will stay...

[bolo]

it can be calm and current can still rip...just because surf is big doesn't mean current isn't moving. Big surf can move the line and make it hard to fish along with current...but still with enough weight anything will stay...

[Snook hunter]

I use 8 oz kingfish weights, and they hold in the strongest of currents in NC...so it's more than adequate for FL

I have seen Frogfish101 use the weights in action and I can contest to it holding bottom. My break away sinker broke off unexpectedly and my bait was washed up. The kingfish weight will still hold bottom even if it gets shifted around a bit from the current. If you see slack in your line you can just reel it in and set it again.

Frogfish101,
Where did you get those 8 oz kingfish weights?

[bolo]

Will that kingfish weight hold a 30lb Jack?

[madshark]

Will that kingfish weight hold a 30lb Jack?

I'm thinking a 20-50# sandbag tied to the bait with a 20-40# section of mono will hold.

What are the likely baits we can target mid-May? Any Jack Crevalle, Blue fish, Bonita or rays in the surf around then. I've pretty much narrowed our area down to from Sebastian Inlet to Stuart Rocks. From Google Earth it looks like several spots with interesting structure in that stretch.

Are there any Marinas we can hit up for scraps (heads, etc.)? Any local bait shops that carry big fresh baits? Making bait is always the issue on these trips. Since We're not from the area I'm really trying to get as much help as I can on that.

[fixed80]

I'm thinking a 20-50# sandbag tied to the bait with a 20-40# section of mono will hold. What are the likely baits we can target mid-May? Any Jack Crevalle, Blue fish, Bonita or rays in the surf around then. I've pretty much narrowed our area down to from Sebastian Inlet to Stuart Rocks. From Google Earth it looks like several spots with interesting structure in that stretch. Are there any Marinas we can hit up for scraps (heads, etc.)? Any local bait shops that carry big fresh baits? Making bait is always the issue on these trips. Since We're not from the area I'm really trying to get as much help as I can on that.

no need for a 50lb sandbag and a 40lb mono break away if that's whet you mean. people might think your littering or some ****.
all you really need is 3 hole red bricks and 12/15 break away line.

as for the bait... what you need to do first(it will help you out a lot too)is to buy one of those food savors so you can freeze fish for months without burn. that way you can catch bait from now till the time you go shark fishing and you dont have to struggle finding bait each time you go out. im not sure what area you live but sometimes you might have to do some just to catch or buy the bait of choice to fish with.
for an example you could to Jupiter and fish the drift boat(best time would be in the spring and summer though for kingfish and Bonita).
here's the link to the http://www.blueheronfishing.com/.
if you dont catch any you can certainly ask to keep someone else's catch primarily the Bonita.
and if you dont want to fish on the boat... ask them before they leave the dock to save some Bonita for you to buy.
remember you can fish for other things while shark fishing at the same time too. and if you decide to go to the ICW to fish... try to go after cats or rays using dead bait. there all good for SF off the shore.

[madshark]

I'm thinking a 20-50# sandbag tied to the bait with a 20-40# section of mono will hold. What are the likely baits we can target mid-May? Any Jack Crevalle, Blue fish, Bonita or rays in the surf around then. I've pretty much narrowed our area down to from Sebastian Inlet to Stuart Rocks. From Google Earth it looks like several spots with interesting structure in that stretch. Are there any Marinas we can hit up for scraps (heads, etc.)? Any local bait shops that carry big fresh baits? Making bait is always the issue on these trips. Since We're not from the area I'm really trying to get as much help as I can on that.

no need for a 50lb sandbag and a 40lb mono break away if that's whet you mean. people might think your littering or some ****.
all you really need is 3 hole red bricks and 12/15 break away line.

as for the bait... what you need to do first(it will help you out a lot too)is to buy one of those food savors so you can freeze fish for months without burn. that way you can catch bait from now till the time you go shark fishing and you dont have to struggle finding bait each time you go out. im not sure what area you live but sometimes you might have to do some just to catch or buy the bait of choice to fish with.
for an example you could to Jupiter and fish the drift boat(best time would be in the spring and summer though for kingfish and Bonita).
here's the link to the http://www.blueheronfishing.com/.
if you dont catch any you can certainly ask to keep someone else's catch primarily the Bonita.
and if you dont want to fish on the boat... ask them before they leave the dock to save some Bonita for you to buy.
remember you can fish for other things while shark fishing at the same time too. and if you decide to go to the ICW to fish... try to go after cats or rays using dead bait. there all good for SF off the shore.

I live in Houston, TX. I have a big box of burlap sandbags. I like them because I can put as much as I want in them (5# or 50#) and they rot away fast. Hauling enough bricks for a week of fishing is a pain. I have used them for years.

I have a freezer full rays, jacks and bonito. We are going to bring some of each. I just like to have fresh, local bait if I can get it. We are going to be there for 5 days. It always seems like making bait is the most challenging part of our trips. That's why I am focusing so much effort on that up front. What do you think the chances are of picking up (or buying) some Bonito on the dock when the head boats come in. Do you know of a fresh fish market in the area where we might be able to get some of thier scraps (heads, carcasses, etc.)?

I really appreciate everyone's input.

Mark Duncan

[madshark]

Man, my ADD is running full throttle tonight. Thank you for confirming that the boats will sell Bonito. If I could focus long enough to read I might have picked that up. Since Jupiter is so close to where we are planning to be that soubnds like a great plan. We could leave one guy on the beach and the other run down there each after noon and buy a box full.

[Frogfish101]

Will that kingfish weight hold a 30lb Jack?

Bolo, we yakked out a 5 ft blacktip carcass in the OBX about 600 yds, and it held all night. The cool thing is that if you have a short run, you can just reset the weight without reeling it back all the way in as you would have to if you were using a break away.

I will bet money that if you FL guys had the chance to use the kingfish weight, you will never turn back.

[Frogfish101]

I use 8 oz kingfish weights, and they hold in the strongest of currents in NC...so it's more than adequate for FL

I have seen Frogfish101 use the weights in action and I can contest to it holding bottom. My break away sinker broke off unexpectedly and my bait was washed up. The kingfish weight will still hold bottom even if it gets shifted around a bit from the current. If you see slack in your line you can just reel it in and set it again.

Frogfish101,
Where did you get those 8 oz kingfish weights?

Hey buddy, I got them from a tackle shop in Wilmington, NC. If you want any, let me know. I can grab some and mail them to ya. They go up to 12 oz...but i've never had to use anything more than 8.