Matt Badolato

For FLORIDA TODAY;

• Offshore: Easterly winds and a light swell should help stack some Sargassum up against the edge of the Gulf Stream. Anglers found tough dolphin fishing last weekend, with the majority of fish scattered east of Bethel Shoal between Sebastian and Fort Pierce around 270 feet. King mackerel were large and numerous over the 8A Reef off Port Canaveral, striking bump-trolled live baits and dead sardines. Bottom catches remain excellent on the High Bar, the 80 to 100-foot ledge which runs between Sebastian and Canaveral. Mangrove, lane and vermillion snapper along with cobia, triggerfish and seabass are taking cut squid, live baits and plugs cut from fresh-caught grunts.

• Surf: Pompano fishing has been hit or miss, but whiting remain fairly consistent on most beaches. Use pieces of peeled shrimp or live sandfleas. Expect moderate wave action this weekend (2 to 4-foot) with 10 to 15-knot east winds.

• Sebastian Inlet: Pompano, sheepshead and whiting were found in good numbers in the surf south of the inlet this week. Blacktip sharks are active at night on the ocean side, hitting large live ladyfish, bluefish and mullet.

• Inshore-South: The Sebastian River is holding schools of ladyfish and jack crevalle, which in turn are being preyed upon by small to mid-size bull sharks. Chum with fresh-caught anchovies to attract ladyfish and jacks and cast small spoons or plugs to hook up.

• Inshore-North: Egg-laden seatrout are moving up on the flats, sometimes forming tight groups in 2 to 3-feet of water over seagrass. Fish at dawn or dusk with topwater or sub-surface plugs. Since they typically spawn on new and full moons from now through summer, it's good practice to release larger trout this time of year.

• Freshwater: Captain Tom Van Horn reports another excellent week of largemouth, striped and sunshine bass fishing on the St. Johns north of Brevard County. He recommends looking for white pelicans and other wading birds on the shoreline to signal the presence of baitfish in the water. The Miami-Garcia area south of Sebastian is also hosting great bass catches. Larger fish are being pulled out by flipping weedless lures in heavy cover. Smaller schoolie fish are out in open water in the mornings and evenings, taking diving plugs, spinner baits and jerkbaits.