Captain Greg's Fishing Report for February 2018
Port Canaveral, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, and Orlando
Last Month's Action
I didn’t write a report for January and was hesitant to write one for February. I have always been taught that when you have nothing good to say then say nothing at all. Let’s just say Old Man Winter won January and the beginning of February but we can now see light at the end of that long dark tunnel.
February Near Shore Fishing Forecast
As the water continue to warm up we should find tightly packed pogy pods holding a lot of sharks, red drum and hopefully cobia. The water got really cold so the cobia had to of moved South and as things warm us we should see them moving back to the North. I would look for the most productive bait balls for the cobia to be in 30 to 60ft and the shallower concentrations of bait will have the reds and sharks. Along the beach and jetties the sheep head, black drum and pompano fishing should be very good. I like to use small live shrimp because I feel it gives me the best chance at all the species.
February Offshore Fishing Forecast
I am writing this report looking ahead at the first 5 to 10 knot forecast that I have seen in the last 3 to 4 months. To say I am giddy would be a understatement. I have not looked forward to Spring Break this much since High School. We will be fishing mega schools of king mackerels on all the natural bottom between 60 and 120 ft North & South. When we find them they will eat a hot dog if you put it on the hook. Mixed in will be big sandbar and hammerhead sharks. Mixed in we will find wolf packs of cobia that will charge your boat out of nowhere so make sure to be ready. The bottom fishing is really good in February but amberjacks are closed along with groupers and red snappers like usual. Trigger fish, sea bass and lane snappers should be biting for those willing to put the big gear away and do some chicken rig fishing, try to avoid wrecks and any structure that is loaded with red snapper in order to maximize your chances at the triggers. Most of the time the big knots of king mackerel are 6 to 15lb fish so don’t hesitate to yank a big high speed lure for a big juicy wahoo that is in feeding on the little mackerels. We should also see some sailfish and black fin tunas but you will need to bump out to at least 120ft unless you enjoy rigging ballyhoo because the kings will destroy you in a 100ft or less.
About Captain Greg's Reports and Forecast
Captain Greg has been fishing the waters of Port Canaveral and the Atlantic for over 30 years. He has the largest and most highly rated private charter business in Port Canaveral, Sea Leveler Sport Fishing Charters. Greg and his team of full time captains fish well over 200 days each per year. We have kept detailed catch history for every trip ran since 2010. You can access this history at www.sealeveler.com/reports. His engineer wife, Amber, has analyzed the catch history along with other historical data such as water temperature and weather patterns. Greg uses his fishing experience and knowledge along with his wife’s statistical analysis to bring you the best fishing report available for Port Canaveral. Greg will give you the honest truth on how the fishing has been along with his best prediction of what to expect by using all of this information.