Mosquito Creek Outdoor's Indian River Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, June 18, 2010 By Captain Tom Van Horn
This Week's Report
As anglers, we are always dreaming of adventures where the fish are both happy and hungry, and for the most part these dreams are only expectations of grander and if we only catch a few quality fish, we are happy. Well, on all of my charters this past week, we experienced memorable adventures where it was tough to keep more than one bait in the water at a time, which is a good problem to have.
Currently, the near-shore fishing along the beach is as good as it gets. Live bait (pogies) have been plentiful and easy to catch, and the predators have been eager to devour them. In the early morning before sunrise, big tarpon have been crashing bait schools in the surf break, and free lining live bait on a large circle hook resulted in some explosive hook-ups with tarpon over 100 pounds.
As the morning grows and the tarpon bite slows down, the large jacks move in and continue to harass the bait pods. As you move out to depths between 30 and 40 feet of water, slow trolling live bait on steel stinger rigs was very productive as it was difficult to keep more than one bait in the water at a time. The water is currently both warm and clean, and the kingfish, large jacks, bonito, sharks, and cobia are enjoying life, that is until they feel the sting of my hooks. Although most of my charters were south of Port Canaveral this week, comparable reports have been coming from numerous anglers from Ponce De Leon inlet to Sebastian.
Inshore, the top water redfish and sea trout bite has been good in the early morning, and reports of massive schools of glass minnow (bay anchovies) in deeper water (4 to 8 feet) are resulting in nonstop action from ladyfish, jacks, bluefish, sea trout and gafftop sail catfish. To locate these schools, simply look for the terns and gulls feeding, and set up a drift ahead of the frenzy and let them come to you. These massive schools of fish are great fun for kids and light tackle spin and fly anglers looking for continuous action.
In closing, although the fishing is as good as it gets the extreme heat of the summer doldrums will punish you if you are complacent. My advice is to fish as early as you can and start hydrating before you reach the water, and continue drinking water throughout the day. Also, be prepared to be off of the water in time to avoid the afternoon heat and adverse weather.
As I stated in my last report, the near-shore fishing bonanza can be here one day and gone the next, because once the cold water upwellings or a tropical weather systems move in the extreme fishing can shut down completely in just a matter of days.
Be sure to check out the June 2010 Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando in print and online for free at www.coastalanglermagazine.com.
As always, if you need information or have any questions, please contact me.
Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn
www.irl-fishing.com
mosquitocoast@cfl.rr.com
407-366-8085 office
407-416-1187 on the water
For all you outdoor shopping needs, visit Mosquito Creek outdoors at www.mosquitocreek.com.
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