Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, October 5, 2007
Compliments of Mosquito Creek Outdoors, Apopka Florida
The bait run has kicked into full swing with masses of finger mullet streaming down the beach and through the lagoon, but the weather gods have foiled our prospects of a good run thus far, and it doesn't appear they are ready to let us play anytime soon. Squally weather conditions have been the dominating factor this season, and the same pattern has set up again for this weekend with high winds and angry seas predicted.
Although the weather has been tough, I still made to managing to squeeze in a few days of fishing, making the best of a bad situation. As a professional Captain I'm obligated to the safety of my clients, so conducting charters during small craft warnings isn't the prudent thing to do, plus I want my client's experience to be memorable for the catching, not the peril.
My escapades started last Friday with an attempt at fishing the Banana River No-Motor Zone with my good friend Larry Carter. The primary focus of our trip was to give me a chance to check out a 16-foot square back Indian River Canoe Larry had for sale, and we figured we might as well tackle this task with a fishing pole in our hands. We launched at KAR's Park at sunrise, and we paddled out just in time to watch a Delta II rocket launch fire off Pad 17B into the sunrise.
Compliments of Mosquito Creek Outdoors, Apopka Florida
The bait run has kicked into full swing with masses of finger mullet streaming down the beach and through the lagoon, but the weather gods have foiled our prospects of a good run thus far, and it doesn't appear they are ready to let us play anytime soon. Squally weather conditions have been the dominating factor this season, and the same pattern has set up again for this weekend with high winds and angry seas predicted.
Although the weather has been tough, I still made to managing to squeeze in a few days of fishing, making the best of a bad situation. As a professional Captain I'm obligated to the safety of my clients, so conducting charters during small craft warnings isn't the prudent thing to do, plus I want my client's experience to be memorable for the catching, not the peril.
My escapades started last Friday with an attempt at fishing the Banana River No-Motor Zone with my good friend Larry Carter. The primary focus of our trip was to give me a chance to check out a 16-foot square back Indian River Canoe Larry had for sale, and we figured we might as well tackle this task with a fishing pole in our hands. We launched at KAR's Park at sunrise, and we paddled out just in time to watch a Delta II rocket launch fire off Pad 17B into the sunrise.
Larry's Rip Rolling Redfish
Consistently high easterly winds and heavy rain combined with seasonal high water conditions have increased the turbidity and depth of the lagoon in most areas, and that's what we experienced. As I poled the canoe north from KARs, we immediately located happy sea trout and ladyfish willing to attack out top water offerings, but as swiftly as the bite started, it shut off. As we moved off in search of a better fishing we continued moving north only to be chased off of the water by developing storms. Larry did manage one respectable redfish that aggressive attacked a pink Rip Roller plug.
For those of you who haven't heard the news, as of October 1st, KAR's Park in accord with the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge has opened up a canoe and kayak launch accessible to the public. The launch is located within the park at the end of Hall Road, and its limited to ten boats at a time with a fee of five dollars each. In addition to this agreement, the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station has reopened the east side of the NMZ to paddle fishing. There are two areas still remaining closed, Fuel Storage Area #1, clearly marked by yellow warning cans, and a 500-yard zone around the NASA Booster Recovery Ships and Hanger AF. This east side has been closed since 9-11 for security reasons, and it could be closed again at any time if anglers fail to abide by the rules, and as always, the zone will be closed three day prior to Shuttle launches. Fishing in these areas is a privilege, so please respect the rules and the resource.
Captain Chris Myers Instructs Ladies on Proper Casting Techniques
On Saturday the 29th, I had the privilege of participating in the First Annual Mosquito Creek Outdoors' Ladies Fishing Clinic, which I must say was a tremendous success. The event was sponsored and conducted by Mosquito Creek Outdoors, Coastal Angler Magazine, and the Ladies in The Outdoors, many volunteers, and over ninety ladies pre registered for the clinic. Five learning stations were established involving getting started, casting, knot tying, baits and lures, and conservation, and the ladies were the most attentive group I've ever taught. It was great fun and a learning experience for all involved, including myself.
My next few charters were either postponed or canceled due to squally weather, leaving my Wednesday trip as my next adventure, and adventurous it was. In the fall of 2006, I had the privilege of fishing with a gentleman from the Stuart area who purchased a charter I donated in an auction to raise funds for a Stuart area fishing guide who was battling cancer. As Bill and I fished, he mentioned he wasn't feeling well and he was schedule to see his doctor the following day. Turned out Bill was also stricken with cancer, and he began his own battle. While corresponding with Bill during his ordeal, I offered to take him fishing when he felt better at no charge, and I was honored to share Bill's first fishing adventure since his illness was diagnosed.
Considering the nasty weather we experienced most of last week, the weather gods smiled on us with a calm glassy morning, and our trip across the lagoon was like living in the reflection of a mirror. Both north and south of us towering thunderstorms blocked the morning sun, reflected their ominous lightning on the water, but the storms moved on and we fished all day. Our plan was to fish until the weather drove us off of the lagoon, or as long as Bill felt up to it, so we went for it.
As I polled in on our very first flat I spotted a large group of tails flashing a thousand yards away as the sun peak over the clouds for the first time, and as I polled in, I thought the fish gods were certainly going to be as generous. The closer we got to the school, the larger it grew, and when we reached casting range it consisted of at least one hundred fish in the 15 to 20-pound range. Our first attempt was to put live jumbo shrimp on both sides of the school, for which we positioned properly, but school swam right over our baits without even a sniff. As we reposition for our next shot the school lifted heading for deep water, and it never slowed down.
Bill Bobb Expresses His Evening Dinner Plans
After shadowing the school for about 30 minutes before giving up, and we spent the remainder of the day looking for redfish instead of catching them. We did manage to catch over 100 pounds of fish, but they weren't what we had hoped for. In one location we found a school of large ladyfish, catching five fish over 4-pounds, and in another area we located a swarm of gaff top sail catfish, catching 7 in the 10 to 15 pound range. In the end, our fishful adventure did yield 1 slot redfish and sea trout, which Bill invited home for dinner.
Seminars and EventsOctober 13th, Braided Line Applications, Andy Thornal Company Fly Fishing Expo located under the Water Tower in Winter Haven, Florida. Call 863-299-9999 for more details.October 23rd, Orlando Kayak Club meets at 7pm Gander Mountain in Lake Mary, and Captain Rodney Smith is the guest speaker.November 16th, 17th, and 18th, Coastal Angler Magazines Boating and Fishing Expo at the Volusia County Fairgrounds with a full program of speakers and seminars.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
Visit http://www.mosquitocreekoutdoors.com/ for your outdoor adventure needs, its Where the Adventure Begins!
