Jetty park vs Vets Pier in Titusville

[Party Crasher]

I will be in Orlando in mid-June and will have a couple mornings to fish. Would you recommend Jetty park or Titusville Vets pier? I have been to Jetty several times before but it was in winter. Always caught something like Spanish or Jacks. I'm not fussy about what I catch. I just saw that the park fee is $15 at Jetty and it made me look elsewhere. Thanks for your help.

[opiato]

Never heard of the other pier but jetty park has been ridiculously and uncomfortably crowded, which is why they raised the prices; however it didnt have any effect on the crowds. If you can go real early or real late on a weekday, its worth it. Otherwise, keep lookin.

[DragonFire]

IMHO it depends on which one you are closer to, because they aren't that close to each other and you are bypassing a lot of good spots on the ICW...
if all you are going to do is fish the early morning... and I mean around 5am to sunrise the Veterans Memorial fishing pier gets my vote.....but here's the bad
news... live bait rules over there in the early morning hours.... any type of small baitfish will work...Live shrimp works also.. but if you don't freeline them... the puffers
will have a field day with your offering...you also want to fish the end of the pier that faces the bridge and cast as close as possible to it..... lures will work, but those
fish have seen just about everything there..... I would pack it up by 10am... and tide will also play a role there... we done well on a raising tide..... there's a bait shop pretty
close by... look them up and see what time they open...then all you would need is a bucket and small air pump...

Now if you still want to hit the cape.... You don't really need to fish jettypark.. you can fish by the drawbridge off Mullet road... there's a single boat ramp back there.. so you can't miss it..
its free to park and fish back there.... and in the early morning it really doesn't get that crowded at all.... lures work well and you have a host of gamefish always running around there..one
of the biggest snook I ever seen was right there at the boat ramp... just being lazy and laughing at us...if you walk towards the boat slips... you can actually cast a lure around them or
in them, if no boat is in there...another area inside of the cape that you can fish is a little park like area off Glen cheek Dr right next to Milken's reef bar... you can park across the street
and just walk over and wet a line... plus its free...

Now another areas I was talking about... under any of the bridges on the ICW.... as long as you aren't there late at nite you should be okay...... it's easy to drive down and again they
are free... Here one thing to do..."Google Map" the area you are staying at and look around for areas to fish...then just drive to them and see if they are worth it... everything is close by
in that general area...

and if you plan on having the family and they want to do the beach thing.... then head over to Jetty park...and fish the pier/inlet or beach.... $15 isn't much if you plan on staying there most
of the day... .. anyway I hope this helps....Good luck and let us know how you did

[Kingofthesea]

Gotta tell ya Jetty that was a very well thought out and well written piece. And, to take that much effort for someone you have never met and probably never will? And that cute little smiley avitar? Hell, someone would think you're a swell guy. Unless, of course, they've seen the devil dog. Still gives me nightmares

[DragonFire]

I'm getting softer in my old age... and it feels good to pass things forward from time to time...plus it was early and my meds had already kick in.....

[Party Crasher]

That was awesome!!! Thank you very much.
I will check this all out on google maps and plot a plan.
Can't thank you enough!

[DragonFire]

Make sure to let us know how you did..... and something else to keep in mind> if you have a small setup(rod/reel) take it with you...
You wouldn't believe the reds and trouts that swim under the Vets pier in the early morning hours.... and they are a hoot to catch
on a freeline shrimp....and on ultra light gear...Good luck and have fun

[Party Crasher]

I will do that Dragonfire.

I looked up those spots on goggle maps and have pinpointed them. I even found the bait shop just up the road.

The water at the pier at Jetty Park was fairly deep and I needed jigs about 3/8ths ounce. What are the depths of some of these other piers or areas you mentioned? If I had jigs from 1/8th to 3/8th would I be covered.

When you say free-line, you mean a light circle hook, no weight, just drop the shrimp down and let it do it's thing?

At Jetty Park I caught mostly Jack Cravelle and Spanish Mackerel. Is it going to be mostly Specks, Reds if you get further inland? The possibility of anything else? You mentioned maybe a snook?

Thank you for all your help.

[DragonFire]

1>Everything else is super shallow other then by the draw bridge in the back of the cape...I don't fish much with jigs...I prefer swim baits/soft baits or twitch baits...
color> white/silver or grey with the hard lures.... green/brown with the softbait ...

2> Free-line is great close to any structures and the setup is easy... Mainline>leader>hook and that's it...keep it as simple as possible and for god sake don't use any wire
leader...another rig that's simple and I use a lot is a fishfinder rig...I use this when I'm soaking bait...

3> You will can catch just about anything further inland... we have local fish running the river system and some tend to get pretty big... but the sad part is that any where you are able to
walk too and fish... The fish in those area tend to get a lot of pressure from shore fishermen and boaters...If you fish early or late at nite during the week days... then you should be okay..
Ahhhhh you ask about "Snook"... do you drink a lot?? and never sleep?? that's what you need to be a Snooker IMHO don't try to target any type of Game fish.. go out
set up your rigs and cast them out and have FUN!!!...

Now here's some extra tips> Fishing with lures down here isn't hard but you need to know what type of lure to use and where to use it...and that takes time... where as fishing with a live
shrimp or a bait fish is an automatic down here.... There's a reason why you see guides use Live bait with there clients... its works and you don't have to bother with a learning curve..
plus everything eats live bait down here... try to fish as early as possible> try to fish a High tide> and keep your rigs on the small size...and also keep them simple.... the less hardware the
better off you will be...

My GF niece has been coming down from MI for the last 2 years, she loves to fish and now has finish college and is coming down for good now...anyhoo I'm lucky that my GF also loves to
fish...Here's what the niece did at Jetty park pier this pass summer... I believe it was June

She learn how to fight big fish by catching a bunch of butterfly Rays... these things can go over 20lb and fight like crazy at times..... she hate them

here's My GF (been together over 20yrs now LOL) with a butterfly ray... when they are running they are worst then sharks at times...

Here she is with one of her bullreds


and Here me with one of "Five" bull reds we caught that day...


and at times I get lucky and catch these guys...


this is just a small example of what I have caught at Jetty park...Most game fish I catch were caught soaking live bait as close to the channel as I could cast... all of my snooks
were caught a stone throw away from the rock/piling or beach....also remember we don't catch Monster every time we go out....that's why its call fishing...
The niece also hook up to a big tarpon... but it threw the hook right when I was about to grab it...

I won't say what I prefer.... but I do tend to spend a lot of time at the park LOL... let me know the dates you will be down here and I might try to head over and wet a line...
Heck we might have the RV over there on weekend you are here.....oh and June is a good time down here...
again good luck>have fun and above all..... be safe

[Party Crasher]

I can't thank you enough. I will take all this info and if I don't catch something now it's my own fault.

Your picture looks familiar and I think you helped me the first time I came down there in 2009. I fished Jetty both of my available mornings and caught fish both times. It was all Jack Cravelle and Spanish Mackerel. The Spanish were out in the middle of the channel and bit me off clean a couple times before I discovered what was going on. Then I added a little fluorocarbon leader and landed a few. They were slamming spoons (Mepps Syclops and Kastmasters), blade baits (Like Sonars), and jigging spoons. The Jack Cravelle all hit a jig tipped with a 4" Gulp Shrimp (New Penny color) popped along the bottom near the pier pilings. I guess Jacks aren't desirable as table fare but I could catch those all day long. They were about 3-5 pounds and gave me a heck of a battle on a light spinning rod.

I had similar results the next couple years but this was in February each year. Because of the kids school schedules, we cant come in the winter right now, so my wife had what I think is the worst idea of her life, and go to central FL in June. Wisconsin people, half Norwegian, going to central FL in summer.....see what I'm saying! We are going to need gallons of SPF 50 sun screen applied to everyone with a paint roller.

Again, thank you. I will certainly let you know how I do. As I said, if I don't catch fish now I can only blame myself. You are a Jetty Park Legend!

[Kingofthesea]

You are a Jetty Park Legend!

Priceless. Hey kid.....ask the Dragon what his handle was before the account was hijacked.

[Party Crasher]

If I remember correctly it was "Jetty Park"....

[Kingofthesea]

Did some homework huh? So far so good. Gonna be watching you

[Goat1234monkey]

Just went to the vets pier today before the sunset. Was using live shrimp. Caught a small spotted trout, lost a mangrove snapper... And twice, hooked something huge but they went under the pier and broke the line... Word has it that black drums are out and about... How do you guys prevent the big ones from going under the pier ( I was dropping the line right by the pier/pillar...I feel like if I tighten the drag the line will break but if I keep it loose the fish will go under the pier....

[baseball4life702]

Just went to the vets pier today before the sunset. Was using live shrimp. Caught a small spotted trout, lost a mangrove snapper... And twice, hooked something huge but they went under the pier and broke the line... Word has it that black drums are out and about... How do you guys prevent the big ones from going under the pier ( I was dropping the line right by the pier/pillar...I feel like if I tighten the drag the line will break but if I keep it loose the fish will go under the pier....

Never fished that place before but, what line/leader are you using? Mangrove snapper should never wrap you unless you let them. Also you should have one rod in your hand, the others that are not in your hand you can't react as quick, meaning I would have the rod closest to structure in my grip as to not allow an easy wrap.
You should keep your drag loose, not too loose where the fish can run without you knowing and then tighten it as you fight. Just cuz the drag is still clicking keep reeling you will still be gaining a little line and pulling fish other way even if it's still running...Your line will not snap unless the fish is as big or bigger than your lbs of line or you just high stick the chit out of it. But as for pilings like I said if that's not the rod your holding or monitoring they will get you quick.

[LINESIDER]

How do you guys prevent the big ones from going under the pier ( I was dropping the line right by the pier/pillar...I feel like if I tighten the drag the line will break but if I keep it loose the fish will go under the pier....

up size gear.. 60-80 lb leader 25-30lb main line, tighten drag n hold rod...

[DragonFire]

If people actually knew how big some of the drums are in there.... they would poop on themselves LOL
What type of gear are you using??... light to med gear should be able to handled anything over there...but you do have
Local tarpons/snooks and bullreds that swim those waters... and everything eats shrimp...

Are you telling me that they are taking you under the "Fishing pier" and not the bridge pilings??....either way... If at anytime you are fighting a fish and you can't turn him
from taking you under or around something.... Lock everything down (Hand on your spool) and pull to the opposite side the fish is running...(if the line is running to your right,
you pull HARD to your left).... don't worry about breaking the line!!! look at it this way... You are going to lose him anyway... so Cowboy up and rip the crack out of him

Here's another tip> if You do hook up to something big and it starts swimming away from you at light speed>>> Let him run!! this way when you do get him next to the pier, he wont run
under it...Now if you do everything we say and the Monster is still winning> Beef everything up and make it personal...

Psssss if you really want to have fun> stop at the baitshop and get a dozen live pinfish....and throw him out there....everything also eats pinfish... but they come in the larger size

[Goat1234monkey]

The beast in
question was on a 20 lbs line. I had a 1/2 oz weight and relatively small hook... Prior to that one another beast broke the line on a lighter rod, and then I said to my wife, I wish he would hit again on the bigger rod cause ain't no way he gonna break free from that one. 10 minutes later the beast hit on the big rod and defeated me senseless and left me depressed beyond rehab. Props to the monsters that are too smart and elusive! Oh to answer the question, he went under the pier.. So directly under where I'm standing...

[DragonFire]

My guest would be a real nice snook.... they tend to hit like freight trains and dive right under docks/pier or bridge...and now I really feel bad for you..
You won't be able to sleep at nite..... and you will be out shopping for a Beast killer combo this weekend

Pssssssss> that's what I did.... LOL and my combo can stop a truck good luck next time you go...

[Party Crasher]

Hi Everyone,

Here is my report after my trip to the "Mouse" last week. First, let me say that for a Wisconsin guy where it has barely hit 80 this summer (low of 49 last night), that heat was unbelievable. 95-100 every day.

So I had two mornings to fish...

Day one. Got to the Rotary Riverfront Park before first light and tried there first. The water is shallow and I tried a bunch of tactics around the bait I could see but got nothing. There were about 4-5 dolphins all around that "F" shaped pier. Moved to the Veterans Memorial pier. There I had non-stop action but it was mostly for Puffers. I think you could fill a dump truck with Puffers if you wanted to. Mixed in I did catch three Specks about 12"-14" long. That's a nice pier and if you stay on the one under the bridge you can actually get some shade. Saw two manatees there. I then moved to Port Canaveral where I tried the boat launch area at the end of Mullet Road. There I caught a bunch of Pin Fish and scored one pretty nice Flounder about 15". By then it was noon and my brain was fried so I headed home.

Day Two. Not really impressed with may catches from day one I decided to bite the bullet and pay the $15 to get out on the pier at Jetty Park. It was hot but there was a nice breeze and a light shower to keep things from being too hot. I had a blast out there. I ended up catching about 25-30 fish, lost some more, and landed 6 different species. Pin Fish, Grunts, Look-Downs, Spanish, Flounder, and Blue Runners. Remember that I had light tackle compared to your standards so all of these were fun to catch. I free lined a live Pin all morning and he got a little nervous a couple times but nothing ever hit him. It was just me and one other guy out there all morning.

My two best baits were a 3" Gulp shrimp on a 3/8 ounce jig head, and a silver jigging spoon. I went through two bags of Gulp on day two and one bag on day one. I caught fish on the jigging spoon casted way out towards the buoy, and also right under the pier. The Pins, Grunts, flounder, and Look-Downs were all near the pier. The lone Spanish and the Blue Runners were out away from the pier near the surface. I also caught the Specks at Vets Memorial in Titusville on the jigging spoons. I'm used to fishing those back here at home so I am comfortable using them just about anywhere.

So, all in all, I was pleased with my salt experience. I also fished the retention ponds on the gated community where we stayed. I ended up with 18 bass (6 mornings, about 45 minutes each) which 12 were over 18" and two of them went 22" and 22.5". I could get into that. I also got a visit by a gator every morning on the one pond. That will make a Wisconsin boy stay back from the bank a bit!!!

Thank you all for all your help. It was a good trip despite the heat... holy cow it was hot!

[Rare]

Hi Everyone,

Here is my report after my trip to the "Mouse" last week. First, let me say that for a Wisconsin guy where it has barely hit 80 this summer (low of 49 last night), that heat was unbelievable. 95-100 every day!

We try our best this time of year to bring up the heat to keep you from coming down south. Come back in Aug and let us know if the weather even better. Glad to hear you made the best out of your trip. Nice work out there-

[DragonFire]

WOO HOO!!!! Trust me for a new person that really never fish Fla before you really did well.... You would not believe how many people HATE jettypark and
would never go back to fish it.... trust me if you would have spend a couple of more days there and kept on trying with that live pinfish... You would have gotten
tag by a monster out there.... and as far as the Vet bridge heh heh.... its a hit or miss over there.... and believe It or not, its puffer city at almost every ICW bridge
unless you are fishing with Live bait fish.... I'm glad you did well...... take care and let us know about your fishing trips back up home... you know in that Cold place up north
LOL.... again great job

[Party Crasher]

Thanks guys and thanks for all the tips.

Its fun for me to catch all those different fish and be able to identify them thanks to my Florida Sportsman "Fishes of Florida" guide.

People hate Jetty Park??? Wow, its been good to me for a beginner. I feel like there is always something moving through. I didn't get that feeling in Titusville.

I want to get back soon (in winter though) and come just to fish. My trips are always linked with 8 days of the "Mouse" but I think the kids are kinda done with that now.

I noticed a couple things maybe you could shed some light on.

1. Every boat stops and fishes that main buoy... What would hang around that Buoy? Triple tail?

2. The guides come out of the port and all went along the beach towards Cocoa Beach. They follow a break or color break in the water. Its like a conga line of boats. At one point they come in pretty tight to the beach. What are they after? I don't see anyone surf fishing. I listen to AM 1300 WMEL podcasts and there is a fishing show on there. Those guys talk about Sharks and Tarpon on the beaches. Is that what those guys are after right there?

3. Are there crabs on the botton off that pier that mess with your baits?

Thanks and stay cool down there.

[Rare]

If boat are at the buoy that means they are getting bait. Around this time sharks and poon are coasting near the beach and will get thicker once the run start happening. Oct will be a good time for you to come cause of the weather.

[DragonFire]

They were after tripletails at all the buoys... in fact the tripletails will run the pier... a 20lb was caught by the new boat ramp this pass summer...
The guides you saw turning and running the beaches were after bait.... they will call each other or just watch the other boats that are jumping on one spot...
once they get their bait they either head offshore.... or run the beaches for Kings/cobia or tarpons with the bait they caught...and the main reason you don't see anyone
surf fishing right there at the park....is because the life guards will run them off..... You are allow to fish with small outfits that don't really do anything, but if they see you
throwing anything large out there... they think you are Shark fishing and they have the power to run you off the beach

and yes we have all kinds of crabs/pinfish and other smaller stuff that will mess and eat up your dead bait if you just let it soak too long on the bottom.... I crack up when I see
someone toss their bait out and don't bother checking the whole time they are out there.... why??? well because they didn't see anything hit it...

and as far as sharks/tarpons go... we always have them on hand (local fish)... and if your gear isn't up to par.... it will be a short fight.... just saying...
again I'm glad you did well at Jettypark pier......till next time

[Rare]

Everything opposite from here- Didnt know the tripple tails were that thick over there. Interesting-