The Haulover Canal, located in the northern county of Brevard, is an artificial stretch between the Indian River and the Mosquito Lagoon. In 1884, when the canal was knocked out of rock rocks, to provide a connection between the two bodies of water and the late 1800s; The canal was an important waterway for steamers and paddle wheels. Today, the Haulover Canal, located just northeast of Titusville, has become known as one of the best protected fishing hot spots in all of Central East Florida.
The canal quickly travels from shore to a depth of 10 feet or more and provides a home for bovine perch, black drum, perch, gator, calico, lamb and mangrove perch. It is also home to dozens of marine manatees, which feed on lush herbal beds in the area. Slow speed, without a waking zone, acts throughout the waterway, which makes it pleasant for bank fishermen, as well as manatees.
Many people catch the Howlover Canal all year round because of the protection it provides to the angler from the wind, and all the fish that he holds in the flat rocks. Underwater trees and stems along the edge of the canal provide cover for small “puppies”, sheep, trout and snook.
The channel almost always has a current that is generated by the wind moving through the water from the Indian River or to the Mosquito-lagoon. Negligible current from Ponce Inlet, far to the north, can often be detected when there is no wind; but in any of the lagoon systems there is no measurable current.
Some of the largest bovine perch and black drum in this area are caught in the channel on cutting baits, blue crab or live fish drifting along the bottom. Bank fishermen use the same bait with rods for surfing and enough weight to hold the bottom with excellent results. You never know what you are going to catch in Halover Channel. The Haulover Canal is also a cream point during summer nights when flowing.
Shrimps cut across the cut, and boats anchored near the shore, equipped with underwater lights and diving nets, can load 5 gallons. bucket of limit "giant" shrimp in a hurry when conditions are favorable. The abundance of shrimp also causes a snook bite and the "gator" of sea trout.
At night, you can hear trout and snook smacking the surface in their nursing rabies, and most often the manatee will surprise you with a friendly visit. Although night fishing is prohibited in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, night boating and shrimp are allowed. Special free self-financing allowing sport fishing for refugees is required by all fishermen or shrimps in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
It sets out specific fishing rules applicable to the area and can be downloaded online, or you can get them on boats and refugee entries in the Fishing Charts and Rules Brochure. Bairs Cove’s popular boat ramp is located on the southwest side of the Howlover Canal, is open 24 hours a day and offers convenient access to both the Indian River and the Mosquito Lagoon. Since April, almost gone, and May is not far off, you can expect excellent opportunities for fishing in the Canal Gallover in central Florida.
