Compliments of Mosquito Creek Outdoors, Apopka Florida
Although the weather this past week was stunning, sight-fishing conditions still have room for improvement. Water levels have dropped a little and the turbidity has decreased, but northerly breezes dominated making fishing tough.
My first trip this week was a paddle adventure into the west side of the Banana River No-Motor Zone with Roland Van Arsdale from Melbourne. The wind at first was manageable from the northwest at about 10 knots, but quickly switched directly out of the north at about 15 knots. Even though the conditions were tough we still sighted a good number of fish, but the fish were spooky and connecting with a decent cast limited our catch to one slot size sea trout and some hard head catfish, very tough day to say the least.
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of spending the day on the north Indian River Lagoon with Debby and Garrett Digman for Lake Mary, Florida. Debby won this charter as a door prize at the Mosquito Creek Outdoors Ladies Fishing Clinic, and she was excited about testing her newly acquired skills. This was also Garrett's third attempt at catching his first redfish, after two previously unsuccessful trips with different local guides, so the pressure was on.
We started the day with a visit to the Port St. John power plant to take advantage of the last open day before the manatee regulations close the area for the winter, and the ladyfish were chewing. Many anglers often overlook the aerobatic speed and agility of the ladyfish, but judging by the excitement displayed by Debby and Garrett, they do not know what there are missing. After an hour of playing with the ladies we headed to our first spot where we commenced to catch redfish, ending the day with nine.
Next week is a busy week both off of and on the water. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, I'm teaching at the Mosquito Creek Angler's Improvement Clinics in conjunction with the Coastal Angler Magazine Boating and Fishing Expo at the Volusia County Fair Grounds near Deland. Both Captain Chris Myers and myself will conduct the clinic two times daily, and we have free samples of RipTide and D.O.A. Lures, Woodies Rattles and rattle Hooks, and Daiichi Bleeding Bait Hooks for attendees while supplies last. I will also be doing a seminar on paddle fishing in the Banana River No-Motor Zone on Friday. In addition to these classes, we will be holding a Hook Kids on Fishing Clinic on Saturday where the first 100 kids who complete the program will receive a new fishing rod and reel and a tackle box compliments of Anglers For Conservation and other sponsors. There is a lot to see and do at the Expo, so come on out and join us in the fun.
Then on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I will be down in Sebastian for my 22nd annual flounder fishing excursion, so I will let you know how the bite was next week.
As always, if you need information or have any questions, please contact me.
Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn
http://www.irl-fishing.com/
407-416-1187 on the water
407-366-8085 land line
886-790-8081 toll free
Visit http://www.mosquitocreekoutdoors.com/ for your outdoor adventure needs, its Where the Adventure Begins!
Although the weather this past week was stunning, sight-fishing conditions still have room for improvement. Water levels have dropped a little and the turbidity has decreased, but northerly breezes dominated making fishing tough.
My first trip this week was a paddle adventure into the west side of the Banana River No-Motor Zone with Roland Van Arsdale from Melbourne. The wind at first was manageable from the northwest at about 10 knots, but quickly switched directly out of the north at about 15 knots. Even though the conditions were tough we still sighted a good number of fish, but the fish were spooky and connecting with a decent cast limited our catch to one slot size sea trout and some hard head catfish, very tough day to say the least.
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of spending the day on the north Indian River Lagoon with Debby and Garrett Digman for Lake Mary, Florida. Debby won this charter as a door prize at the Mosquito Creek Outdoors Ladies Fishing Clinic, and she was excited about testing her newly acquired skills. This was also Garrett's third attempt at catching his first redfish, after two previously unsuccessful trips with different local guides, so the pressure was on.
We started the day with a visit to the Port St. John power plant to take advantage of the last open day before the manatee regulations close the area for the winter, and the ladyfish were chewing. Many anglers often overlook the aerobatic speed and agility of the ladyfish, but judging by the excitement displayed by Debby and Garrett, they do not know what there are missing. After an hour of playing with the ladies we headed to our first spot where we commenced to catch redfish, ending the day with nine.
Next week is a busy week both off of and on the water. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, I'm teaching at the Mosquito Creek Angler's Improvement Clinics in conjunction with the Coastal Angler Magazine Boating and Fishing Expo at the Volusia County Fair Grounds near Deland. Both Captain Chris Myers and myself will conduct the clinic two times daily, and we have free samples of RipTide and D.O.A. Lures, Woodies Rattles and rattle Hooks, and Daiichi Bleeding Bait Hooks for attendees while supplies last. I will also be doing a seminar on paddle fishing in the Banana River No-Motor Zone on Friday. In addition to these classes, we will be holding a Hook Kids on Fishing Clinic on Saturday where the first 100 kids who complete the program will receive a new fishing rod and reel and a tackle box compliments of Anglers For Conservation and other sponsors. There is a lot to see and do at the Expo, so come on out and join us in the fun.
Then on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I will be down in Sebastian for my 22nd annual flounder fishing excursion, so I will let you know how the bite was next week.
As always, if you need information or have any questions, please contact me.
Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn
http://www.irl-fishing.com/
407-416-1187 on the water
407-366-8085 land line
886-790-8081 toll free
Visit http://www.mosquitocreekoutdoors.com/ for your outdoor adventure needs, its Where the Adventure Begins!
