Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, February 27, 2008
Complements of Mosquito Creek Outdoors, Apopka Florida
Angling along the north Indian River Lagoon Coast of Florida has shown some improvement this past week with the best action coming from anglers fishing in surf along the beach and those chasing cobia offshore.I always use my lavender Formosa azaleas as an indicator for the arrival of the cobia migration north through our near-shore waters. Their magnificent blooms favors the same temperatures and weather conditions, and when the azalea blooms peek the time is right. Currently my azaleas are in full bloom, and like the azaleas delicate blooms, the cobia run will pass before you know it.This year, warmer weather and water temperatures have arrived about two weeks early, and some significant catches of cobia have come from under manta rays in 60 to 80 feet of water. As the water warms up (68 to 70 degrees) both the cobia and manta rays should move in closer, and the weather should be favorable this weekend with seas predicted to be 2 feet or less, so it sound like it could be a cobia weekend to me.The other hot bite this past week occurred along the beaches, with good catches of pompano, whiting, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, black drum, and jacks being landed by both surf anglers and anglers fishing from boats along the beach. Good catches have been coming from up and down the east Florida coast, with Playlinda Beach, North Cape Canaveral near Jetty Park, Patrick AFB Beach, and Melbourne Beach serving as the local hot spots on the Space Coast. The best bait of course has been live mole crabs (sand fleas), but fresh peeled shrimp works very well. Also, if you live in the Titusville area, Skeeter Lagoons Bait and Tackle on Garden Street has live sand fleas for sale.Inshore in the north Indian River and Mosquito Lagoons, the redfish and black drum fishing has shown some improvement, but extremely low water conditions have made access with skiffs challenging. When water levels are low, it is important to take extra effort to reach the fish and not to damage sea grass. Also, paddle anglers have had the advantage in reaching fish, so you may consider that option.
Seminars and Events
Anyone who is interested in volunteering to assist in the March 8th Kids Fishing Day at Mosquito Creek Outdoors in Apopka, please contact me. Thank You
March 8th, 9am-3pm, 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, Angler's Improvement Clinics Sponsored by Mosquito Creek Outdoors, RipTide Soft Plastics, Woodie's Rattles, TTI-Blakemore Fishing Group, and D.O.A. Lures
As always, if you have any questions or need more information, please contact me.Good luck and good fishing,
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!
