As we navigate our way through hurricane season, we have so far been lucky here in east central Florida. Aside from a few days of tropical influence, we have had fishable weather for most of the month.

Big bull redfish are the focus this time of year in the Ponce Inlet area, with variable chances at tarpon on any given day. The action is pretty consistent right now and we have been having some great trips.

The mullet run is arriving in Ponce Inlet and the greater Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach area. This brings with it other opportunities at fish like big aggressive jack crevalle. Nothing quite compares to seeing fleeing mullet run for their lives with voracious predators hot on their tail.

Don’t miss the fall action we will enjoy over the next few weeks! 

Capt. Billy Rotne
Ponce Inlet Fishing Charters

September can be quite the month for fishing, and so far it’s starting out strong. Big bull redfish are the primary target this month but we also have opportunities at large jack crevalle and occasionally tarpon.

Redfish in the 20-40lb range are in the Ponce Inlet and New Smyrna Beach area in full force this month. Large groups of fish can make for excellent fishing opportunities with 5-10 fish days a common occurrence. This can result in pretty spectacular fishing days for anglers if any skill.

When the bait is around, we get shots at large tarpon around Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach, and as the month progresses we get opportunities at big 8-12lb jack crevalle as well, which are extremely exciting and powerful, often taking topwater plugs just feet from the boat.

In the last month of summer like conditions, we are almost always catching something good, get out there with me and catch a few yourself!

Capt. Billy Rotne
Ponce Inlet Fishing Charters

Mid August brings some of the hottest weather of the year to our hemisphere but it also brings some incredible fishing. Both inshore and nearshore fishing in the Daytona Beach, Ponce Inlet, New Smyrna Beach and Mosquito Lagoon area are entering their peak seasons.

Big bull redfish are arriving in large numbers and joining the resident fish for their fall run. These fish arrive hungry and ready to fight. The can provide anglers an incredible opportunity that is beyond the outstanding experience this area has to offer year round. Catching as many as 10 trophy sized fish or more per trip has been the recent trend and will continue in the foreseeable future.

Tarpon fishing is also good this time of year, but it’s either hero or zero type fishing that usually compliments fishing for the big redfish. If the food sources and conditions are right, the tarpon are quite catchable and usually put on an awesome spectacle. If things don’t line up, we can have attempts where we don’t see any fish. But as the saying goes “You don’t know if you don’t go”!  

Capt. Billy Rotne
Ponce Inlet Fishing Charters

As the weather gets hotter, so does the fishing! August is a month of mixed emotions, one of great fishing while simultaneously dodging tropical systems, something anyone on the east coast of the US can relate to!

Tarpon and bull redfish are abundant and offering some of the best opportunities of the year. Jack crevalle will also begin to offer great opportunities as the mullet start to love more as we near fall.

Bull reds will begin to arrive from the ocean and congregate in prime locations around Ponce Inlet and New Smyrna Beach. This can make for some spectacular fishing. With hot summer water, quick fights and careful handling are a must. Like tarpon, these decades old fish deserve respect!

Tarpon are in the area both inshore and nearshore from Daytona Beach down to the waters off Mosquito Lagoon, and offer some really great fishing this month. Whether fly or spin, these fish are incredible for any angler!

Capt. Billy Rotne
Ponce Inlet Fishing Charters

Great fishing continues as we near the latter half of July. Fishing for big reds has been a consistent option with almost every trip producing several trophy class fish. This pattern should remain steady through the end of summer and fall as more and more fish move towards Ponce Inlet and New Smyrna Beach.

Tarpon fishing off Daytona Beach has been on and off with great fishing some days and challenging fishing others, all depending on weather and food sources. As we head toward August, more bait should begin to arrive in our area and offer us some great days targeting these big silver fish.

Late summer back country fishing in Mosquito Lagoon has been less than optimal with water temperatures exceeding 90 degrees on many days, but other areas that we target fish in shallow water will start to offer us options until the summer temperatures cool down a bit.

Capt. Billy Rotne
Ponce Inlet Fishing Charters

As we enter the middle of summer, the fishing continues to be outstanding on almost every trip in the Ponce Inlet area. Calm, sunny mornings followed by the chance of an afternoon thunderstorm has become a near daily occurrence here in central Florida. Mid summer heat has transitioned our focus to mainly using the bay boat and it will remain the tool of choice through late fall.

We have remained successful on most every trip at catching multiple large bull redfish. We carefully handle these catch and release fish to ensure clients get an amazing photo and the fish swim away strong. From bottom fishing to more advanced sight fishing, beginner or novice anglers to skilled fly fisherman have had opportunities at these amazing fish in Ponce Inlet, New Smyrna Beach and Mosquito Lagoon.

Nearshore fishing off Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach has been a lot of fun recently as well and will continue through summer. Full grown 100lb or larger tarpon have remained the primary focus, but we have also caught some huge jack crevalle, and light tackle drag screaming bonita. 

Capt. Billy Rotne
Ponce Inlet Fishing Charters

Looking toward July

The fishing the past week in the Ponce Inlet Florida area has continued to be outstanding, with big bull redfish on almost every trip and tarpon on most days that we could target them.

As weather patterns settle into summer smoothness, the fishing should continue to be great and with even more predictably good weather conditions. In July we can expect calm mornings and seas on almost any given day, followed by a cooling early afternoon sea breeze and the chance for thunderstorms by late afternoon. 

Bull redfish have been consistent targets for most anglers and we have been successful on almost every trip in New Smyrna Beach, Ponce Inlet and Mosquito Lagoon in landing a few of these incredible fish. The perfect combination of power, challenge, and sport, big redfish are a great fish for anglers of any skill set to fish for. Children through skilled adults, everyone loves big reds.

Tarpon, bonita and big jack crevalle will continue to be our focus on nearshore Ponce Inlet trips during July. Calm conditions and good fishing make this the best time of year to enjoy nearshore fishing. We have hooked and landed numerous tarpon this past week including some very large fish over 100lbs.

Fly fishing and sight fishing with spin tackle has remained good in Mosquito Lagoon. Areas with clear water and sunny days greatly enhance the odds, and thankfully we typically have been finding both recently and should continue to do so going into July. Call today to plan your Ponce Inlet fishing charter!

Capt. Billy Rotne
Ponce Inlet Fishing Charters
386-290-9897