Week ending July 5, 2012 - Captain Scott Blanford

[CaptScott]

Halifax River –Shrimp continue to run. However, most of the floatilla is located between Bethune Point and Dunlawton. Sizes are also improving, making limits possible. A few boats continue to work North of Granada.

Trout, redfish, and occasional flounder are being caught along the docks at high tide, and deeper oyster bars at low. Live shrimp or mullet on a float usually get the job done. Sheepshead are also a common catch. Use either small shrimp threaded on to the hook or fiddler crabs. Days with calm winds are best when trying to fill a cooler. Bridges usually hold the more impressive convicts, although some docks are also contributing keepers.

Tomoka River – Right now is a great time to catch a big snook on artificials. They are hitting best at the start of the incoming tide. Soft plastics on a jig head are my go-to. Look for them to be ambushing mullet around creek mouths, bridges, docks, and fallen trees. Remember that they all must go back to swim again until September.
Black drum, redfish, flounder, and small tarpon are also thick. However, the afternoon bite will probably be best for the next week or so due to the full moon. If we get a cloudy night, the morning bite should go off.

Tomoka Basin - Action is very inconsistent. Some days the big trout seem to be everywhere, only to disappear the next day. Lower slot reds, flounder, and small tarpon are also present. Fish are usually in close early in the mornings. However, as the sun heats up, look for them to be a considerable distance offshore around submerged oyster bars.