For those anglers who have been waiting for near perfect conditions to go fishing, they will have to wait no longer. With the month of November upon us, a combination of calm conditions, sunny skies, and cooler temperatures will help anglers locate a variety of game fish inshore waters.
When fishing inshore, black drum will not be able to resist live shrimp, cut clams, chunks of mullet, or even half of a blue crab when fished on the bottom. These baits will be most effective when rigged on a circle hook and fished near drop offs or sandy pot holes near grass flats. One of my favorite areas to target black drum is in the "No Motor Zone" which is located at the northern end of the Banana River. This 10,600 acre open water area is one of the few places in Florida free from motor boats and has become a popular destination for paddlers and waders. During this time of year, the weight of these fish can range from four pounds up to forty pounds.
If you plan on visiting the "No Motor Zone" (NMZ) soon, following these few basic rules should help you enjoy the day.
There are two basic ways to access these waters. The first is located at KARS Park which is at the south west end of the NMZ and provides direct access to fishing in this area. KARS Park provides a 30 car parking lot, store for ice and supplies, and restrooms and charges $5.00 to launch a boat. If you plan on accessing the NMZ from the east than you will want to try out the 401 Causeway north of the Cruise Terminals at Port Canaveral.Here anglers will need to be aware that the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station maintains a permanent closed area that extends 10,000 feet into the Banana River and occupies about half the east shoreline.
The NMZ is open to non-motorized boats only from KARS park north on the west side and from the power lines north on the east side until you reach the NASA Causeway bridge. The shorelines along the eastern and western sides of the NMZ are strictly off limits. Once inside the NMZ, boaters will need to keep in mind that crossing the ICW which divides the NMZ is strictly prohibited. Also, boaters will need to stay 600 feet away from retrieval ships behind Hangar AF. Boaters will also want to stay out of any area marked "restricted", "no entry" or hazardous operational areas. Finally, the NMZ has been known to close at any time with little notice. Before planning a trip, you might want to check launch schedule of the shuttle as well as with the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.