Shore fishing setup: Tackle tips on how to catch fish
Ed Killer gives a brief explanation on what he uses when fishing from shore
Ed Killer, Wochit
You can no longer get bacon and eggs, but if fishing is your thing, they’ve got you covered at the newly expanded New Smyrna Outfitters.
The Canal Street business has more than doubled its floor space by incorporating the area that formerly housed the Golden Biscuit restaurant.
Since its 2014 opening, Outfitters has always had a strong retail component (Costa, Yeti, Maui Jim, etc.), but at its core has been a go-to place for the entire gamut of fishing tackle.
That’s still the case, except now there’s more of it. A whole lot more, as the showroom has grown from 1,200 to 3,000 square feet.
“We have the knowledge to help you get rigged up for whatever kind of fishing you’re looking to do, regardless of what you’re trying to catch or where you’re fishing,” says owner-operator Cody Moore, whose dad Ty is among those working the floor and tossing out local fishing knowledge when solicited.
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“Exceptional customer service is our number one priority,” Moore says. “Although we do our best to stock quality products, It’s most important to us that everyone is given the highest level of customer service.”
Outfitters started on the south side of Canal Street in downtown NSB, and a tad closer to U.S. 1, with about 750 feet of showroom. Three years ago Moore moved across the street to a building located where Live Oak Street dead-ends at the light on Canal. He took full advantage of his 1,200 square feet there and didn’t take long to fully stock his newest surroundings.
“We’ve expanded our selection in every category we carry,” he says. “Apparel, fly-fishing, inshore, offshore, sunglasses, footwear, drinkware, everything.”
The “backstage” area, at about 1,500 square feet, is bigger than the former store.
“Actually, I think I’m most excited about our walk-in freezer,” says Moore, whose mammoth freezer is stocked with offshore baits shipped daily to fishermen from Florida’s gulfstream region to Central and South America.
“We ship everywhere,” he says. “Costa Rica, Colombia, . . . everywhere.”
He’s doubled his spooling equipment from two to four machines and can spool all types of fishing and fly-fishing reels.
“Including electric,” he says.
Among other things, it’s the fly-fishing component that sets Outfitters apart from many local bait-and-tackles. Along with a wide variety of fly rods and reels, naturally, there are plenty of flies.
“We offer over a dozen different fly lines to choose from,” Moore says. “We also offer Rio Leader and Tippet Material. We carry commercial and locally tied flies. If you’re interested in tying your own flies, we stock a wide variety of hooks, thread, material, tools, and vises.”
But again, you’re on your own for toast and coffee.
Halifax/Indian River
Capt. Jeff Patterson has been covering a lot of ground in his Pole Dancer charter boat, as north as High Bridge and as south as Ponce Inlet. Let’s start on the northside, where he says the early-morning redfish have been a bit turned on by soft plastics (go figure!).
“White paddle-tail on a jig head is working great,” he says.
He’s also seen some tarpon in the Tomoka Basin and hears of sightings back up the Tomoka River.
“It’s hard to beat a free-lined mullet targeting tarpon,” he says.
Down toward Ponce Inlet, the eating ain’t the best but the action is tough to beat — good-sized bluefish and some big ladyfish.
“Great action for kids,” Capt. Jeff says. “You can just about throw anything at them at times.”
Capt. Barry Englehardt (FishWithCaptainBarry.com) says he’s been fishing the clinkers and getting trout, reds and blues. His baits of choice have been a 3-inch Z-Man paddle-tail and live mullet.
Scattered bait shrimp are starting to infiltrate the intracoastal, according to Ike Leary at the Granada Pier. He’s hearing happy customers talk about their recent catches of mangrove snapper and black drum.
Flagler County
The summertime flounder finds are still the best bet in the Matanzas River, says Capt. Mike Vickers (Hammock Bait & Tackle). Early morning and late in the day, all the usuals are feeding (mangroves, drum, snook, etc.).
“And overnight, with the recent full moon, the trout bite has been hot,” he says.
It’s been a slow week in the Flagler surf, Capt. Mike says, “with smaller whiting, Spanish mackerel, jacks, a few flounder, tarpon past the sandbars, and sharks.”
“Offshore, we have kings, still a few cobia, and a mixed bag behind the shrimp boats.”
Offshore
Back to Capt. Jeff Patterson for some good news on the near-shore.
“We’ve been getting some flounder off the beach and there’s also been some king mackerel, bonita, and a bunch of sharks,” he says. “Look for bait pods and even fish busting on the surface out there as well.”
Meanwhile, further out, the Sea Spirit has been selling out left and right, and bringing home a boatload of fish and, whaddaya know, happy customers. Don’t tempt the walk-up, book your spot ahead of time. They’re making up for time lost due to springtime’s stubborn winds.
St. Johns
Might want to heat up another skillet.
“Not only have we been catching bluegill steady, the warmouth have recently shown up,” says Capt. Bryn Adams (Highland Park Fish Camp in DeLand). “Live minnows or live crickets work best. Pitching your bait against banks, tree tops and structures is how to target them.”
Warmouth are that member of the sunfish family easily identified by . . . you guessed it, their huge mouth. Bag limit on all sunfish is 50 per day, which tells you of their propensity to multiply in a manner that’d make a rabbit blush.
Those who head out at dawn are still bringing back some bass, Capt. Bryn adds. But once the sun gains its leverage on the cypress and Spanish moss, you can put your bass lures away.
“That’s just the way it goes this time of year,” she says.
Up in Astor, it’s relatively slow, except for some bream fishermen who found some beds in Lake George, according to Kerry McPherson at South Moon Fish Camp.
“Stripers and bass are still the best thing going right now,” he says. “Mostly in the river and over near the springs, too — Juniper and Silver Glen.”
Hook, line and clicker
We want to see your most recent catch. Email your fish photos to ken.willis@news-jrnl.com.
Please include first and last name of angler(s), as well as type of fish (we’re occasionally stumped). All are included with our online fishing report, and some occasionally make the print edition.
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