UTERBluefish fishing in Indian River Lagoon
In Indian River Lagoon, bluefish peak November–March and are around October–May, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. November: Blues behind the mullet run on the beach.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Bluefish in Indian River Lagoon, month by month
- JanuaryPeak
- FebruaryPeak
- MarchPeak
- AprilLeaving
- MayAround
- JuneNot here
- JulyNot here
- AugustNot here
- SeptemberNot here
- OctoberArriving
- NovemberPeakBlues behind the mullet run on the beach.
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish bluefish near Melbourne, Cocoa, Titusville
Mosquito Lagoon, the Banana River and the northern Indian River Lagoon — shallow, clear, grass-and-sand flats famous for sight-fishing tailing redfish and giant trout — plus Port Canaveral and Ponce Inlet, the beaches, and the nearshore reefs.
Fish Scouter charts 145 fishing pier, 11 beach / surf, 3 pass / inlet spots in the The Space Coast Lagoons map area — the kinds bluefish hold on.
What to use for bluefish
- Finger mulletLip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum.
- Pilchards (whitebait)Free-lined or under a cork, hooked through the nose on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook. The one bait that catches everything inshore.
- Threadfin herring (greenbacks)Nose-hooked on a circle hook and free-lined, or slow-trolled. Fragile — handle them wet and fast.
- Sand eelsFree-lined or on a light jig head for stripers, fluke and bluefish; strips teased on a fluke rig.
- Leader20–40 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#1–4/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 58–80°F water, best at 62–74°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch bluefish in Indian River Lagoon?
Peak season is November–March. Bluefish are in Indian River Lagoon October–May. November: Blues behind the mullet run on the beach.
Where do bluefish hold in Indian River Lagoon?
Look on pass / inlet, beach / surf, channel edge — around Melbourne, Cocoa, Titusville, Port Canaveral, New Smyrna Beach.
What is the best bait for bluefish in Indian River Lagoon?
Live bait: finger mullet, pilchards (whitebait), threadfin herring (greenbacks), sand eels. Finger mullet: Lip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum. Tackle: leader 20–40 lb fluorocarbon, hook #1–4/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for bluefish in Indian River Lagoon?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
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