The full force of summer has hit the central east coast of Florida with warmer temperatures, higher humidity, frequent afternoon thunderstorms and sizzling fishing. Along with the changes in the seasons, we have experienced several significant changes in our charter activities as well - Capt. Rocky went on an extended, non-fishing related, mission trip to Mongolia - Capt. Roland exchanged his 2005 Pathfinder for a 2008 edition, complete with a bigger Yamaha engine and Power Pole - Capt. Peter finally received his long-awaited official notification from the US Coast Guard that his certification process is complete. These changes have been exciting to us personally but we are also excited to report on great fishing action as well. Read on!
Yesterday, Capt. Peter and I combined efforts in guiding Rob and Heather Ferrari of Seattle, Washington for a little redfish action on the Banana River in the Cocoa Beach area. We caught a number of redfish and trout during the full day charter including two reds in the 30 pound range. Rob caught the first big fish after a 30 minute, reel screaming, rod arching and back aching fight in shallow water. What a memory for Rob, however, it may be Heather’s epic 45 minute struggle with her nearly 40 pound fish that becomes part of our local angling lore. The battle included an attempted assault by a demented dolphin thwarted by Peter some 75 feet from the boat, an aborted landing attempt 15 feet behind the boat during which the landing net broke into pieces and a subsequent, incredibly acrobatic, somersault over line and fish by the new captain. Pictured below are the Ferraris with their monster redfish and a triumphant Capt. Peter soaked but smiling.
(We have received a short video of the epic redfish battle by Heather Ferrari shot by her husband. It is posted on YouTube and can be found at the following link epic redfish battle)
On Thursday, it was the same comical duo of captains, Peter and Rocky, guiding the father and son team of Dexter and Greg Simms. These North Carolinians, vacationing in Orlando, also fished on the Banana River. The trip started out as frustrating as any in recent memory as a tropical low pressure system accompanied by a rare north wind pushed across the region. The fish that had been so plentiful along the western side of the river simply disappeared. However, a change in tactics toward the end of the trip proved golden as both Greg and Dexter hooked and landed big, memory-making redfish just before the thunderstorms hit the area. Pictured below are the 30 pound red caught by Greg and 12 pounder caught by Dexter.
Last Wednesday, Stephen Middleton of Gainesville, along with his daughter Katy and her fiancé Eric from Orlando, chartered Capt. Roland in the Grant area of the Indian River. The trio had a blast catching four reds and three trout before the afternoon thunderstorms arrived. Pictured below are Katy with one of her redfish and Eric with one of his spotted sea trout.
Last Tuesday, Caleb Bryson and his nephew Derrick chartered Capt. Rocky and Peter to chase tarpon and bull sharks on the Indian River near the Sebastian area. Despite hooking and jumping an estimated 20 ‘poons’ along with one huge shark, we just weren’t able to bring any of the monsters boat-side for pictures. Therefore we decided to head for the flats and target reds and trout. Pictured below are Derrick holding a 32 inch fish followed by Caleb and Derrick posing with 19 spot beauty.
Finally, an explanation - we are hoping to receive and post a treasure trove of fishing summaries and photos from trips guided by Capt. Roland during my time on the mission field. I will either amend this report or post a new one when these arrive.
Posted by Rocky Van Hoose on June 28, 2008 at 02:16:09 PM
Native Sons Fishing Guides
Captain Rocky Van Hoose
321-986-9588
rvanhoose@cfl.rr.com
Captain Brad Jones
321-626-5072
jonesmelb7@bellsouth.net
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