Capt Jeff Kraynik
Nov-Dec 2009 4cast
Palm Bay - Sebastian - Vero Beach

What does silver mullet mean? Here on the Space and Treasure Coasts, it means southern-bound giant tarpon weighing over 100 pounds. Even though it will be over by the time you read this forecast, as long as the seas remain calm and the ocean clear, it's going to mean a fantastic time!   

The summertime temperatures are beginning to cool and many early morning runs, both inshore and offshore, are requiring a light jacket. It's time to slow your retrieve down a bit and break out your winter lure colors of blacks, browns and reds. 

You know the snowbirds have arrived when all you see is congested roadways and full ramp parking lots with out-of-state tags. Yes my friends, wintertime in the Sunshine State has arrived.

Here's the Skinny:

Seatrout: Troughs, deepwater edges and canals are the staple for wintertime trout fishermen. Popping corks dangling a live shrimp is sure to make a seastrout rise from the warmer depths. If the live bait becomes spotty to find, as it did throughout this past summer, try an Owner circle hook and a Riptide Realistic Shrimp on the end of your line. 

Snook: Snook will be holding inside the Sebastian Inlet throughout the winter months. Windcheaters and silver spoons should be in everyone's arsenal. Live bait will account for a majority of the catches if you hit the tides right. Remember the "new slot limit" and throw that second fish back.

Redfish: The key to fishing for reds in our area is to be where the fish are. That means spending several mornings on the flats and determining what "routes" they are using over and through the flats. There are some places where you can set your watch by them. Utilize gold spoons, soft plastics or a Yo-Zuri 3D Fingerling.

Bluefish: The bluefish runs in the inlet and along the beaches are known to all that are willing to the brave the cold, frigid winds of a wintertime Nor'easter. Some of our best bluefishing days have been on an out-going tide, in the middle of the night throwing silver spoons into the vast darkness of the inlet. 

Flounder: The annual southern flounder run has begun at the inlet. The inlet will get a little too crowded for some on the weekends. Instead of fighting the crowds, try finding a secluded sandy spoil island. My bait of choice, when live mud minnows are unavailable, is a Riptide Goby with a weighted jig head. For you nocturnal giggers, any of the sand flats around these spoil islands will be holding garbage can size fish. 

Lobster: As usual, the inshore reefs have been picked clean since the mini-season. The large bugs between six and 10 pounds will be found on the deep ledges at 90 and 120 feet. Watch your bottom times!!!

Waterfowl: Waterfowl hunters will again enjoy a 60-day season running from November 21 through November 29, then a 12-day closure will occur. The season re-opens again from December 12 through January 31, 2010.

Fishermen and waterfowl hunters will be sharing the same mangrove shorelines and vast open water bays during this time. The flock of birds that you are about to run through may actually be a big water diver spread with several hunters within. This occurs most often around the impoundments of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and the adjoining impoundments up and down the IRL. 

All boaters should take a wide berth. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Safety dictates a minimum distance of 300 yards from an occupied duck blind or decoy set. Just remember our fellow outdoorsmen only get 60 days to enjoy their sport. 

Note: Enforcement of the "No Motor Zones" and "Pole/Troll Only Zones" have been stepped up by local, state and federal officers due to the blatant violations being observed. There are new rules pending that if caught and convicted of multiple violations of these zones, a suspension may take place where you won't be able to access the refuges. 

Know where the zones and the running channels are when hunting these areas. If you're not sure, "SLOW DOWN!"

"See you on the Boat or in the Blind"

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Who is Capt. Jeff Kraynik?

Capt. Jeff "The Commodore" Kraynik is the owner/operator of The Coastal Sportsmen. For the past 24 years he has fished and hunted the areas between Merritt Island and Vero Beach. Capt. Jeff specializes in light-tackle saltwater flats fishing for trout, redfish, snook, tarpon, shark and flounder. Capt. Jeff holds the rating as a Master Near/Coastal captain to 50 tons and is a guide in good standing with CCA/Florida. Capt. Jeff's weekly fishing reports can be heard on the Reel Animals Fishing Show, BooDreuaux's Boondocks and The South Florida Fishing Report with Happy Henry. When not fishing, he and his crew can be found in the St. Johns River Marsh hunting trophy alligators and waterfowl.

"From the grassflats to the mudflats and everywhere in between"

Contact Info:

Capt. Jeff "The Commodore" Kraynik

(Cell) 321-863-9182

www.coastalsportsmen.com
captjeff@cfl.rr.com