Best Bait for Mangrove Snapper: Live, Cut & Artificial Options
Landing Mangrove Snapper consistently requires more than showing up at the right spot. Successful anglers and charter ca...
Read MoreFlorida · Space Coast
MELBOURNE
FISHING CHARTERS
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About
Melbourne Fishing
Melbourne offers diverse fishing opportunities spanning the Indian River Lagoon, the Atlantic surf zone, and productive offshore reefs. The lagoon here is one of the most biodiverse estuaries in North America, supporting healthy populations of redfish, speckled trout, snook, flounder, and tarpon. The Sebastian Inlet to the south and the Turkey Creek area provide additional habitat variety and year-round fishing action.
Offshore, the reef line and artificial structures hold grouper, snapper, cobia, and amberjack, while longer runs reach the productive deep-water wrecks and ledges where mahi mahi, wahoo, and tuna are found. Melbourne's relaxed beach-town atmosphere, affordable charter options, and access to the incredible Indian River Lagoon fishery make it an excellent choice for both visiting and local anglers.
Fishing Calendar
What's Biting in Melbourne?
See which species are available each month, color-coded by activity level.
Color Key
Peak
Good
Fair
Off Season
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Inshore
|
G | G | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | F | G |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
F | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | F | F |
|
Inshore
|
F | G | G | P | G | - | - | - | - | - | F | F |
|
Nearshore
|
F | F | F | F | G | G | G | G | G | F | F | F |
|
Inshore
|
G | G | G | P | P | G | G | G | P | P | G | G |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
F | F | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | F | F |
|
Inshore
|
P | P | G | G | F | - | - | - | - | F | G | P |
|
Inshore
|
F | F | G | G | P | G | G | G | P | G | G | F |
|
Inshore
|
G | G | G | G | P | F | F | F | G | P | G | G |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | F | G | G | G | G | G | F | - | - | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | G | P | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | F | F | F | F | F | F | G | P | G | F |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | F | G | P | F | - | - | - | G | P | F |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | F | G | G | G | P | G | G | F | - | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | F | G | G | F | F | - | - | - |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | - | - | F | G | G | F | - | - | - | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | - | - | - | F | F | G | G | G | F | - |
Species Glossary
View Full Species Guide
Melbourne Fish Species
18+ species organized by fishing type. Click any species to learn more.
Inshore Species
Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore.
Nearshore Species
Target reefs, wrecks, and structure within a few miles of land.
Deep Sea Fishing Species
Head to deep water for big game and bottom species.
Charter Guide
Fishing Charter Types in Melbourne
Understanding the different charter types will help you book the perfect trip for your group.
INSHORE
Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore. Target redfish, speckled trout, flounder and more in calm, protected waters.
View Inshore ChartersNEARSHORE
Fish the reefs, wrecks, and structure 1-9 miles offshore. Target snapper, grouper, cobia and more over natural and artificial reefs.
View Nearshore ChartersDEEP SEA FISHING
Deep sea fishing 20+ miles out. Chase tuna, marlin, mahi mahi, wahoo and other pelagic gamefish in blue water.
View Deep Sea Fishing ChartersTROLLING
Cover water by dragging lures or bait behind a moving boat to target pelagic species.
View Trolling ChartersBOTTOM FISHING
Drop baits to the ocean floor to target snapper, grouper, and other reef dwellers.
View Bottom Fishing ChartersFLY FISHING
Sight-cast with fly rods on the flats for redfish, trout, and tarpon.
View Fly Fishing ChartersSURF FISHING
Fish from the beach or wade into the surf to target pompano, whiting, and redfish.
View Surf Fishing ChartersKAYAK FISHING
Paddle out for a more intimate fishing experience on bays and nearshore waters.
View Kayak Fishing Charters
Fishing Tips & Guides
View All Articles
Melbourne Fishing Blog
Local insights, seasonal reports, and expert tips for fishing in Melbourne.
Guest Reviews
5
based on 6 reviews
Melbourne Fishing Reviews
Indian River Lagoon redfish were on fire
Waded the flats near Melbourne and sight-casted to tailing redfish on a beautiful fall morning. Hooked 11 reds on DOA shrimp in crystal-clear water. The Indian River Lagoon around Melbourne has some of the best sight-fishing for redfish in Florida.
C
Captain Dwight
November 2025
Redfish
Speckled Trout
Snook on the beaches were crushing it
Fished the surf zone along Melbourne Beach at dawn and the snook were pushing bait in the wash. Threw live croakers and caught seven snook including a 34-inch beast. Beach snook fishing on the Space Coast is an absolute thrill.
C
Captain Selena
September 2025
Snook
Pompano
Whiting
Speckled trout slam on the Banana River
Drifted the deeper channels of the Banana River with live shrimp under popping corks and the speckled trout were feeding aggressively. Kept our limit of chunky trout and released a dozen more. Melbourne lagoon fishing is consistently excellent.
C
Captain Warren
February 2025
Speckled Trout
Redfish
Cobia cruising the beach in spring
Spotted cobia cruising the surf line along Melbourne Beach during the spring migration. Pitched live eels ahead of the fish and hooked four cobia, landing three between 30 and 45 pounds. Spring cobia season on the Space Coast is not to be missed.
C
Captain Lucia
April 2025
Cobia
Jack Crevalle
Flounder and sheepshead on the causeway
Fished the Melbourne Causeway pilings with live shrimp and caught a beautiful mixed bag. The flounder were stacked on the sandy bottom and sheepshead were on every piling. Kept a great haul for a family fish fry.
C
Captain Tyrell
December 2025
Flounder
Sheepshead
Mangrove Snapper
Tarpon in the lagoon were rolling at sunrise
Found tarpon rolling in the deeper basins of the Indian River Lagoon near Melbourne during the early summer. Free-lined live mullet and jumped four tarpon, landing two around 70 pounds. Melbourne tarpon fishing is a hidden gem on the Space Coast.
C
Captain Greta
June 2025
Tarpon
Snook
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