Gear & Tackle

Saltwater & Coast

Fly Fishing

Spin, Cast & Bait

Banana River Fishing Guide

Florida

The arm of the Indian River Lagoon between Merritt Island and Cocoa Beach, with boat ramps and kayak launches and redfish, snook, and tarpon.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Banana River for redfish, snook and tarpon. In October, redfish and snook are in season, and Clouser Minnow, EP Baitfish and Spoon Fly are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 25 miles; the closest is Cocoa Beach Fishing Center in Cape Canaveral, about 3 mi away. Sebastian Inlet is about 34 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Season at a Glance

Redfish
Snook
Tarpon
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What You'll Catch

Banana River Species

Redfish

Redfish

Prime Now
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F
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M
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S
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Best: Mar to May, Sep to Nov

Snook

Prime Now
J
F
M
A
M
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J
A
S
O
N
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Best: Apr to Oct

Tarpon

J
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Best: Apr to Jul

Images: Duane Raver, USFWS. Public domain.

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

11 picks for October. marks species in season in October.

  • Clouser Minnow #1/0-8

    Fly

    Streamer · Redfish

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  • EP Baitfish #2/0-2

    Fly

    Streamer · Redfish

    Shop This Fly

  • Spoon Fly #1/0-2

    Fly

    Flats Fly · Redfish

    Shop This Fly

  • Walking Topwater 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Topwater · Snook, Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Snook, Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Weedless Gold Spoon 1/4 to 1/2 oz

    Lure

    Spoon · Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Popping Cork Rig 18 to 30 in leader

    Lure

    Rig · Redfish

    Shop This Lure

  • Live Shrimp 2 to 4 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Snook, Redfish

  • Sand Fleas Small

    Bait

    Live Bait · Redfish · Surf.

  • Cut Mullet Chunk or strip

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Redfish · Surf and passes.

  • Live Pinfish and Mullet 3 to 6 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Snook

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Redfish

Fly 9 ft 8 wt rod, floating redfish line, 16 to 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 3000 reel, 15 lb braid with a 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Snook

Fly 9 ft 8 or 9 wt rod, floating or intermediate line, 30 to 40 lb bite leader.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 reel, 20 lb braid with a 30 to 40 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Tarpon

Fly 9 ft 11 or 12 wt rod, floating or intermediate tarpon line, 60 to 80 lb shock tippet.

Spin / Cast 7.5 ft heavy spinning rod, 6000 to 8000 reel, 50 lb braid with an 80 lb leader.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Banana River

Fly Lines

RIO Redfish Fly Line

A heavy front taper for quick shots at tailing fish in warm, humid conditions.

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Leaders & Tippet

Seaguar Tarpon Leader Material

Heavy fluorocarbon shock leader that survives tarpon jaws and gill plates.

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Fly Lines

RIO Tarpon Fly Line

A tropical line that stays stiff in heat for long casts to rolling tarpon.

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Terminal Tackle

Gamakatsu Circle Hooks

Circle hooks set themselves in the corner of the mouth and make release easy.

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Sunglasses

Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses

Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.

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Reels

Penn Battle III Spinning Reel

A metal-bodied reel built to survive saltwater and big runs.

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Rods

Penn Battalion II Inshore Spinning Rod

A medium inshore rod for jigs, popping corks, and live bait.

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Line

PowerPro Spectra Braided Line

Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.

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Within 25 Miles

Shops Near Banana River

Within 25 Miles

Guides and Charters Near Banana River

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Saltwater & Coast · Florida · About 34 mi

Sebastian Inlet

A 500-foot inlet through a barrier island state park between the Indian River Lagoon and the ocean, with fishing jetties on both sides.

Snook · Redfish · Flounder

Saltwater & Coast · Florida · About 37 mi

Mosquito Lagoon

A shallow, clear lagoon famous for sight-fishing to tailing and schooling redfish.

Redfish · Speckled Trout

Lakes & Reservoirs · Florida · About 47 mi

Lake Tohopekaliga

A Kissimmee Chain lake near Orlando with grass flats and trophy largemouth.

Largemouth Bass · Crappie

Saltwater & Coast · Florida · About 50 mi

Indian River Lagoon (Vero Beach)

The lagoon along Vero Beach, where creek and river water meets the ocean tide, holding redfish, snook, and tarpon.

Redfish · Snook · Tarpon

Saltwater & Coast · Florida · About 53 mi

Ponce de Leon Inlet

The inlet between Ponce Inlet and New Smyrna Beach, a jumping-off point for offshore trips, with red drum, seatrout, flounder, and sheepshead in the nearby estuary.

Redfish · Speckled Trout · Flounder

Rivers & Streams · Florida

St. Johns River

Florida's longest river. Bass from Lake Monroe to Welaka, reds and occasional snook near the mouth.

Largemouth Bass · Redfish