Mosquito Creek Outdoors Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, April 7, 2009
By Captain Tom Van Horn
Events and seminar Schedule:
April 7, 2009, Top Water Plugs, Orlando Kayak Club meeting 7pm at Mosquito Creek Outdoors in Apopka Florida.
April 11, 2009, Introduction to Saltwater Flats Fishing by Captains Chris Myers and Tom Van Horn, 10am - 12pm at Mosquito Creek Outdoors in Apopka Florida. This is the first of eight series classes offer at no cost by Mosquito Creek Outdoors and Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando.
April 17th, 18th, 19th Coastal Angler Magazine Fishing and Boating Expo in Melbourne Florida.
First, let me start by wishing everyone a joyful and blessed Easter. Spring has arrived on the Space Coast of Florida; reinforced by what I hope will be the last significant blast of blustery and cool conditions of the season. As our days grow longer and water temperatures increase, so do fishing opportunities in all areas of the lagoon coast.
Fishing these last few weeks has been up and down, with some fantastic days mixed in with tough ones. Water levels have started to rise in the Mosquito Lagoon, but without any significant rain, water levels will continue to fluctuate with the wind shifts so please take extra precautions not to damage the sea grass when operating your vessel in-shore.
Grady Mason's nice spring sea trout caught on a live mullet while fishing with his dad Chris, and grandfather Mike Mason.
On the lagoon flats, baitfish (mullet) have begun their return with more and more schools arriving each day. This renewed occupation has been the key to locating game fish on the flats. Look for baitfish schools in shallow water, and the redfish, sea trout, ladyfish and jacks will not be far behind. Currently, the redfish schools have scattered moving into new areas covered by the rising water levels and the larger female sea trout have been moving into shallow water in preparation for the spawn. The top water plug action has picked up with my best results coming from Rapala Skitter Walks, and DOA Chug Heads on CAL baits in shallow weedy areas. Again, a super stealth top water presentation during low light, early morning and late evening have produced well. Also, another notable return to the lagoon are the speedy ladyfish and jacks.
Another nice sea trout caught by Paul while fishing with his son on the Mosquito Lagoon.
Offshore this week, it appears that the cobia have moved north past Port Canaveral with the better catches coming from near-shore wrecks and bottom structure south of Ponce Inlet. Additionally, the dolphin and wahoo bite has picked up, and will continue to improve as April progresses. Other notable species have been an abundance of kingfish on 8A reef and Pelican Flats, and some nice tripletail free swimming in 30 to 40 feet of water.
Last but not least is the schooling largemouth bass on the Saint John's River. Instead of finding them in my traditional locations, low water conditions have concentrated the fish in the bends between Lake Jussep and Mullet Lake Park. These schooling fish are feeding on small pilchards at first light or just before dark. Once you have located fish breaking the surface, dispatch either a small live shiner or swim bait into the mix.
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
407-416-1187 on the water
407-366-8085 land line
www.irl-fishing.com
Visit www.mosquitocreekoutdoors.com for your outdoor adventure needs, its Where the Adventure Begins!
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