SPORTS

Fishing forecast for July 4 weekend in Brevard

Matt Badolato
For FLORIDA TODAY

Offshore: Seas should be in the 2- to 3-foot range through Sunday, but watch out for those afternoon storms. Cold water offshore has started pushing cobia in as close as Hetzel Shoal north of Port Canaveral. Look for these guys around stingrays, bait pods, buoys or just free-swimming. Off Sebastian, cobia are consistently popping up to surprise anglers targeting mangroves, muttons and other bottom fish. Keep a live bait rod or jig ready to fire wherever you find yourself in the ocean this weekend.

Nearshore: West winds have allowed cooler bottom water to creep up close to the beach, hindering the tarpon bite we saw two weeks ago. They’re still there, but they’re moving around a lot. Look for them early in the morning around schools of pogies and glass minnows. Off Indialantic through Sebastian, schools of big threadfin herring are holding within a mile of the beach, attracting kings, bonita and lots of sharks.

Surf: Croakers are still plentiful and make good table fare or tarpon bait, whichever your mood suites. They’ll hit peeled shrimp pieces or medium-size sandfleas. Surf anglers must contend with a red drift algae that’s fouling lines up and down the coast.

Port Canaveral: Shore-bound and boat anglers are finding nice mangrove snappers willing to take live shrimp, greenies or other small baitfish. Try prospecting around concrete dock pilings, deep rocks or other structure.

Inshore-North: Black drum are feeding shallow in the No Motor Zone of the Banana River. The southern terminus of this zone, near KARS Park, sees a lot of angling pressure. Paddle as far north as you’re willing on a calm morning to find more fish. Pitch live shrimp, a GULP shrimp or other small soft plastic in crabby colors such as brown, black or dark green.

Inshore-South: The grass flats south of Sebastian Inlet are really coming back well. Check out shorelines that are far from the ICW to find trout and snook. The dense seagrass beds between Oslo Road and Harbor Branch are chock full of mullet, pigfish and pilchards — a big draw for the aforementioned duo.