Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, 02-06-08
Compliments of Mosquito Creek Outdoors, Apopka Florida
Remember in my last report, when I suggested calling in sick during the winter and going fishing on the really nice days. Well such was the case last week when my good friend Captain Chris Myers suggested we dump all responsibilities and go fishing in the Banana River Lagoon No-Motor Zone. The weather forecast looked great, so I eagerly agreed, and we invited along another good friend of ours, Captain John Kumiski.On Florida terms it was cold out (morning temperatures in the in low 50's), so we launched around 8:30am giving the flats a chance to warm up. The weatherman hit it right for a change, and the lagoon welcomed us with slick calm conditions. As we worked our way into the Zone, we soon located multiple schools of slot size redfish, but the glassy conditions made them super spooky, and we could not get within casting distance before they would bump up and move. It is extremely frustrating when the redfish in the NMZ are spooky as those in the Mosquito Lagoon, so we pushed on in search of sweeter waters and happier fish.
Captain Chris Myers with his 40-inch Redfish on Fly.
Continuing on, Captain Chris soon spotted a group of huge tails casually bobbing up and down in deeper water, so we staked out the canoe and waded in with our fly rods. Soon, we were at the edge of what we thought was a small school of monster redfish with their massive tails glimmering in the sun's reflection. Being very careful not to spook the school we quietly took up our positions about 100 feet apart. Very few things in life get your blood pumping like a school of giant tails waving at you within casting range. Chris was the first to line a fish, which bumped them up revealing the true size of the school, and it was huge! As the fish pushed away we were unsure of how they would behave, but to my luck, they settled down right in front of me. Within a few casts, I lined one and the school pushed up again only to move about fifty feet before settling down once more, and that's when Chris made a solid strip set and the real entertainment began. As Chris's fish burned line off of his reel, the entire school pushed up in a giant wave charging in my direction. I quickly began to back peddle because Chris's hooked fish was sticking tight to the school, and I didn't want to be the reason for the big fish that got away. As hard as I tried evading them, the charging school of torpedo size redfish soon overran me, and my thrashing sent the entire school charging back at Chris. As they charged Chris, he reeled as fast as he could to maintain a tight line as his hooked fish was still tight with the pack, and as they past him several large fish actually bumped into his legs almost knocking him over. As the mayhem continued and the school moved off, Chris managed to gain control of his fish, and he successfully landed a nice 40-inch redfish caught on an unnamed green crab fly.After practicing CPR, (catch, photograph, and release) on Chris's fish, the large school moved off into deeper waters never to be seen again, so we continued our search. Before long, the south wind picked up, and we ended the day with a score of: Chris, three redfish, John, two black drum and puller hooks on two large redfish, and I caught a 30-inch redfish and a small black drum, a good day by anyone's terms.
Captain Tom with a NMZ Black Drum
The remainder of the week, my charters lead me to the Mosquito Lagoon and the St. Johns River with mixed results. On the 1st of February, I the pleasure of fishing with Randy Lewis, and even with a challenging south wind, he caught two redfish and a black drum, with the largest redfish estimated to be around 25-pounds.
Randy Lewis with a Mosquito Lagoon Black Drum
On the February 3rd, it was great to fish with Michael Grant from my Freedom Hawk Kayaks on an early morning quest for American Shad on the St. Johns River. The fog was so thick it was like paddling through the clouds. The shad were there in good numbers, but we only managed one. The reason I say they were there, numerous anglers were having a banner day as we watched with frustration. You see, the shad were running deep and I only had floating fly line, I won't make that mistake again. All and all, it was a beautiful morning nonetheless.
Upcoming Events and Seminars
February 9th Mosquito Creek Outdoors in Apopka, Woman in the Outdoors presents the Ladies Social Angler Seminar and Wine Tasting, from 9am-2pm. Cost to attend is $40 per person and includes one-year membership and subscription to The Woman in the Outdoors. To register, contact Mosquito Creek Outdoors (407) 464-2000.
March 1st, 2nd, and 8th 9th Bass Pro Shop Spring Fling, Orlando Florida
March 8th Woman in the Outdoors presents a Kids Fishing Day. Event includes a full day of activities and lunch, and the cost is $25 per child. To register, contact Mosquito Creek Outdoors at (407) 464-2000.
April 18th, 19th, 20th, Coastal Angler Magazine Boating and Fishing Expo, Melbourne, Florida.
As always, if you have any questions or need more information, please contact me.Good luck, good fishing, and Happy New Year,
Captain Tom Van Horn
Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
http://www.irl-fishing.com/
407-366-8085 landline
407-416-1187 on the water
866-790-8081 toll free
Book a charter, and let's go fishing.Visit http://www.mosquitocreekoutdoors.com/ for all of your outdoor adventure needs, its Where the Adventure Begins!
