7-23-2013 Bright moon = bad fishing

As we set off on our trip early yesterday morning (7-22).  We were greated by a very bright night light in the sky.  As beautiful as it was, I knew it might have negative effects on our day.  The full moon fishing during the morning/day has a reputation of being somewhat slow at times.  Although, there have been plenty of occasions we have gone out only to have extremely successful days during the full moon.  You can never tell for sure and most of us are going to go fishing regardless.  

At our first stop, the exact spot that we were catching redfish after redfish just the day before, at about the same time, the only fish we could muster were a Jack and a Blue.  We headed over to Jones cut and had a few good topwater blow ups but no hook ups.  We then shot back into the basin and managed a nice mid slot Redfish and a Snook.  We lost a few fish there as well.  From there we went up river to pluck off another Snook and a fat Mangrove Snapper.  We had a few suspected Tarpon takes but no hookups.  And that was our morning.  Not the best, not the worst.  

7-18-2013 Fishing Report Daytona/Ormond Beach Florida

Well if you follow me on Facebook you know that it has been a great week of fishing. We have been catching a good mix of nice size fish. The Flounder bite is strong in the river and its a rare trip we don't get at least a few. Loopy Lopez with a big 22" Flattie

The Redfish are scattered around the Basin, up in the Tomoka River, and also up in the mudflats at Highbridge. Captain Richard with a nice Tomoka Basin Redfish

The Tarpon bite is continuing to pick up steam. In fact I had the pleasure of guiding Dave and his sons to their first ever Tarpon this morning. Each of the boys were able to hook and land their own fish, which made for a very memorable morning.

The Snook bite is also strong. On a solo trip Monday I hooked over 30 Snook and landed about half. The largest fish landed measured 22" but 3 of the fish lost were easily slot sized fish. Keep in mind that Snook are still out of season and must be carefully released. We don't keep Snook on our charters anyway, at least for the next few years until their numbers get back to normal. The Mangrove Snapper bite is in full force from the Basin up past the island in the Tomoka. We are catching them up to about 15". Jacks and Ladyfish are also a regular catch. That about sums things up for this week. Don't forget to check back often for new reports and photos. Have fun and stay safe out there, Capt. Eric

6-21-2013 Greater Daytona and Ormond Beach Fishing Report

Summers here and the time is right for fishing in the creeks... and the Basin! This past week has made for some exceptional charters! The hot bite has been Redfish. I fished Shane and his son Hunter Wednesday morning. After a few missed fish, Shane got a nice 25" Redfish in the Tomoka River.

Click any photo to view full size

After that, the bite slowed so we headed out to the Basin. We spotted a couple nice fish but could not get them to eat. I decided to anchor the boat and cast some mullet out and boy did it pay. Within 5 minutes it was fish on. Within 45 minutes we had two more 24-25" reds and a couple smaller ones. Hunter started his day with a Catfish and ended it with largest fish as well as most fish landed. He just kept cranking them in!

Wednesday afternoon I had another Trip with Meghan and Blue. We caught the last of the outgoing tide and within the first hour we had a Juvenile Tarpon

A 28" Snook

and some smaller throwbacks. On our way to the Basin we landed a handful of other fish including Ladyfish, Mangrove Snapper, and Redfish.

We made our way to the basin to Target Redfish and ended up with a few nice fish up to 24". Here is one we picked off the Docks.

The Shrimp run is starting up here in Ormond and Flagler. Make sure those nets are patched up and ready to go. We should also start seeing the Menhaden in the river now and the larger Tarpon with be right along with them. The big schools of Menhaden are in the ocean but we have yet to see any Tarpon busting them up. We did launch the yaks last week up near Mainstreet Pier and got into the big Croakers everyone was talking about. I lost something big on a large Pigfish, in fact whatever it was almost flipped my kayak over. That wraps things up for this week. For more photos and information on my charters, please visit www.FishTomoka.com

6-17-2013 Ormond/Daytona Beach Fishing Report

For those of you that don't know, my web site www.FishTomoka.com has had a complete makeover.  Please take some time to visit it and tell me what you think.  It is a work in progress so return often to see new photos, fishing reports, and how to's.

Now that the water is back in the River, the fish have returned to their normal feeding patterns.  This morning, I guided new clients John and Chad from Georgia to a good mixed bag of
Redfish up to 21"

A monster 28" trout

and a nice Juvenile Tarpon.  

Live and cut Mullet along with DOA Shrimp got the job done this morning.  We are seeing some nice sized Reds up in the Tomoka but they seem to be picky about what they want to eat.  

The Tarpon bite has been good and will only get better.  I got a chance to get out with my son yesterday for fathers day and he showed me how to do it.  

There is a nice hatch of candy sized Pinfish in the river right now.  The Tarpon seem to enjoy them very much.  Here is one of two Tarpon landed a few days ago with Bob from Orlando.