Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Forecast 12-2010

December's Fishing Outlook

When the weather is nice and the seas are fishable offshore, solid concentrations of kingfish will be holding on the inshore reefs and wrecks in 60 to 100 feet of water.  Several prime locations to target December kingfish are the north end of Pelican Flats and 8A reef out of Port Canaveral.  The kingfish bite should remain steady as long as water temperatures stay above 74 degrees.  When near-shore waters approach the 70-degree mark, start looking for cobia and tripletail along Port Canaveral buoy line and the shallow waters just off the bight of the Cape. These two species normally hold around floating structure, but they also have a tendency to free swim once the water temperatures warms up in the afternoon.


Red on Fly Caught by Captain Chris Myers

 Inshore, both redfish and sea trout will remain in the skinny water as long as the water temperatures stay warm.  Inshore fishing is best once the sun warms the water a bit, so sleep in and enjoy a good cup of coffee before heading to the ramp. Fish in protected areas and sunny spots, and look for fish to be holding in sand pockets until the sun gets overhead.  Also, now is also the time of year to target tailing black drum in the Banana River Lagoon No Motor Zone. 

If the ocean conditions are a bit too rough, good concentrations of breeder redfish will be holding in the inlet passes of Ponce De Leon and Sebastian. Try drifting the passes during the falling tide bouncing live pinfish off the bottom.   In the Port Canaveral shipping channel, work the edges of the channel using the same technique. Remember these are oversize redfish, so please step up the size of your tackle to lessen the stress of the fight, and release them with extreme care to be caught again on another day.


Kirk's Frisky Beach Kingfish

Snook fishing will also remain steady around Sebastian Inlet as long as the water temperatures stay warm. It is best to target inlet snook during periods of slack tide fishing live pigfish, pinfish, or croakers at night in the channel under the A1A Bridge.  Snook season ends December 15th, so if you enjoy a snook dinner once in a while, don't hesitate. Another notable species worth mentioning when speaking of inlet fishing is flounder.  Depending on surf and lagoon temperatures, the flounder migration can stretch into December, with stragglers filtering through the passes all month.

If the winds are westerly, concentrate your efforts along the beach, and look for pompano to begin moving off the inshore flats to the deeper troughs along the beach.  Also look for schools of bluefish and Spanish mackerel shadowing pods of glass minnows and other bait is the surf.  To target both blues and Spanish, watch for birds working bait pods, and through small jigs like the D.O.A C.A.L. and spoons with a fast retrieval to avoid cutoffs.


Bill Massy's American Shad

On the upper Saint Johns River look for the American and hickory shad runs to commence near the end of the month, and intensifying in January and February.  Shad fishing is one of the most overlooked fisheries in Florida, and a fun fish to catch on both fly and light tackle gear.

Remember, sea trout are out of season from November 1st through January 1st   on Florida's east coast, so if you catch one, please handle and release it with extreme care.

In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who fished and worked with me this past year for your business and friendship, and I am looking forward to spending more time on the water with you. Also, now is the time to purchase your 2011 gift certificates at and receive 50.00 dollars off of the standard rate by either replying to this news letter or by calling me, so purchase a charter in advance for yourself or that certain angler close to your heart, and go fishing with them.

As always, if you have any questions or just need information, please contact me.

Happy Holidays, and good luck and good fishing, and God bless,

Captain Tom Van Horn
Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
www.irl-fishing.com
407-416-1187 on the water
407-366-8085 office

Visit www.mosquitocreekoutdoors.com for your outdoor adventure needs, its Where the Adventure Begins!

Sarasota Fishing Report 11-29-2010

Capt. Rick Grassett’s Fishing Report for 11/28/2010


Anglers fishing with me on my flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released little tunny, Spanish mackerel, trout and blues during the past week. The best bite was with little tunny in the coastal gulf.

Don and Linda Tase, from NH, fished the coastal gulf off Siesta and Casey Keys with me on Monday. They caught and released 7 or 8 little tunny on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly and a CAL jig with a shad tail. Pete Walocko, from MI, got in on the action on Tuesday as he landed several on flies. Everette Howell, Jr. from Nashville, TN also had a great day, landing 7 or 8 little tunny on my snook fly. Most fish averaged about 7-pounds but several weighed more than 10-pounds. The action was awesome as schools of little tunny turned the surface into white water as they fed on glass minnows.

A front pushed through on Friday afternoon slowing action in Sarasota Bay and making it too rough to fish the coastal gulf. Bill Beauchamp, from Bradenton, FL, and his friend Mark, from Sarasota, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Friday. A strong south breeze made fishing tough but they caught and released trout to 18” and bluefish on CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos at Stepehens Point and along the west side of the bay. Norm Worthington and his son, Addison, from Siesta Key, FL, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Saturday. The action was slow as another round of rain pushed through that morning. They caught a few trout, a blue and some large ladyfish on CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos in Big Pass and at Stephens Point.

Next week’s tides will improve towards the end of the week as we head towards a new moon on Dec. 5th. Negative low tides in the morning should concentrate reds, snook and trout in potholes in skinny water. Action in the coastal gulf should also continue until water temperature drops significantly.



Tight Lines,

Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com



Pete Walocko, from MI, caught and released this little tunny on a Grassett Snook Minnow fly while fishing the coastal gulf off Sarasota with Capt. Rick Grassett.

Homosassa Fishing Report

Beautiful Weather and Awesome Fishing!!!
Report Date: November 22, 2010




The Redfish is so good the captain even had to get in on the action. This fish measured in around 29" or 11lbs.

Oh what a little shot of cooler weather can do for your MOJO. The days of high humidity and sweltering heat seem to be behind us for now. With cool mornings and perfect sunny Florida afternoons to look forward to this is the time of year that I love to fish the most. Although the cooler weather has slowed down the boating traffic on the water lately, the fish haven’t slowed down a bit. In fact some of the biggest, badest and best catches of the year may be occurring right now as we speak.

With the mass migrations of Huge Redfish returning to their creeks from their spawning grounds offshore, now maybe the best time to home in on your trophy Redfish before next spring arrives. Over the last few weeks I have spotted larger and larger schools of BIG Redfish milling around in many of the shallow creeks and coves scattered through out the Nature Coast. The only problem that we’ve been having lately is that there are even more Rat Reds mixed in with these big schools making for some exciting runs and aggravating sight casting shots.



Jay Allen with a nice 30" Redfish he sight casted in less than a few feet of water!!!

Schools of 15-30 Redfish have been common with most of these fish ranging between 16-35” the challenge has been to find one with in the 18”-27” slot. We have been targeting these fish in water as skinny as a few inches and with the water being so crystal clear sight casting has been the best method for weeding out our catch. Spinning gear with Berkley Gulp! shrimp and live shrimp have been extremely productive but if you are itching to get a shot at some of these big fish with fly gear there are a ton of great opportunities to be had.

Speaking of fly gear during my last day off I decided to splash a new kayak that I recently picked up. The FlatsStalker is a standup kayak that is ideal for shallow water fly fishing (pics posted on photo gallery).



Flounder on fly!!! At 16" this Flounder was a Sight Casting Treat on Fly!!!!

With an extreme low tide I decided to sneak up on an area in Ozello that I knew was almost going to be bone dry. When I arrived in my creek the whole area was lit up with tailing Reds. I would guesstimate around 25+ were nice fish and there were even more smaller fish staging in some of the scattered small potholes. As the tides started to drop I noticed that all of the tailing Reds soon congregated with some of the smaller Reds inside these potholes and once I anchored my self outside one of the bigger potholes where these fish were working it was “GameTime!” First throw of the fly, WHAM!! Rat Red. Second throw of the fly, Wham!! 21” Redfish, Fifth throw of the fly, WHAM!! Another Redfish. In total I caught over 7 Reds in this short period of time before they wised up. However, my catch of the day on this day was a 16” Flounder that I sight fished amongst these Reds.



Steve Earheart is grinning from ear to ear with our limit of Speckled Trout and a few nice Pompano.

If the Redfishing and kayak fly fishing didn’t get your Mojo going yet, I recently spent the day fishing with Steve Earheart and we were rewarded with great weather and even better Speckled Trout fishing. He and I spent the day working some deep grass off of the Foul Area in Homosassa with jigs and between Steve and I we landed over 60 Trout with plenty of shorts but we did catch some of the nicest keeper Trout I have seen in some time. In total we each landed a Gator Trout over 21” and we both landed a Pompano pushing 4lbs. This was definitely a great day even after that fact a cold front had just passed through a day before our trip.

So now that great Florida weather is hear to stay and some of the best Redfishing, Fly Fishing, Kayak Fishing, and just plain old fish catching is occurring right now, think about adding a Red Hot Fishing Charter to your holiday plans.
**RED HOT FISHING CHARTER GIFT CERTIFICATES MAKE GREAT GIFTS!!**

Capt. Kyle Messier
(352) 634-4002
kylemessier@yahoo.com
WWW.REDHOTFISHINGCHARTERS.COM

Florida Keys Fishing 11-26-2010

Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Whole bunch of fish caught out of Holiday Isle Marina today
On the Dee Cee today Ronnie Ramey, Jackson Cook, Brady Cook and Jason Cook down from the Altanta area put together this real nice catch of fish including a 76" sailfish Jason caught.





Craig Conway and Grant Meiring from Edgewater, FL had a good catch of fish on the Gotcha today. Grant caught the big mahi mahi witch is a nice 20 pounder. They said they've been fishing with Capt. Mel on the Gotcha for 10 years and that he's the best captian around.





On the Capt. Easy Steve and Donald Rankind in town from New York City and Westchester, NY had a real nice catch including this cubera snapper. Capt. Bruce said it's pretty rare to catch one of these beautiful fish and they got a big one.

Nikki Holiday Isle Offshore 800-327-7070 Etc 642

Holiday Isle Resort and Marina
84001 Overseas Highway
Islamorada, FL 33036
305-664-2321 ext. 642
Direct: 305-433-9942
www.holidayisle.com
kharper@holidayisle.com    

Jacksonville Fishing Report 11-23-2101

Tuesday, November 23, 2010
11/23 - Super Nice Day, at the big Rocks.

Had the Eric Johnson and crew aboard today for some "go east" fishing. Gawd, I love this time of year when I can go to my favorite rock piles and not come back "west" till days end. Unlike other times of year when I'm all over the place, looking for that big bite.

Cool water, Full moon and too warm air temp today for my liking. I enjoy it when it's very cool.

So we departed at 7am. And went Float-rig fishing. The little bluefish were chewin us up pretty bad. But young Taylor was the man. Catching some seriously nice fat Specks. While we had a throw back and a Yellowmouth. Today for big time success on the float-rigs would have taken lots of patience and lots of shrimp, where we were fishing. We had the shrimp, but maybe not the patience.





So after a the tide just started to slow, we headed off and went bottom fishing. The tide was darn near slack when I pulled up along the jetty rocks. Should almost be perfect to catch us some Black Drum, Redbass, Sheepshead and Yellowmouth Trout. While fishing just live and dead shrimp on the bottom.

Well that's just what happened. But it took awhile to get them all. First off was the Sheepshead.



Then, between small Bluefish bites, the pesky Seabass. We got a few Yellowmouth, another Sheepshead, and a small pup Black Drum.





But that was the only Drum mustered up from along the rocks. And the two Reds were small pups also.



The falling tide barely managed to let us use light leads to hit the bottom. So bite detection wasn't easy by no means. And knowing what's a little fish bite and a bigger fish like a Sheepshead, wasn't something that comes instantly. It takes some experience, for sure. When the current's haulin'.

But we ended the day with a box of good eaters and headed back to clean them up, for the frying pan.
Good day had by all. It sure was nicer out there, too.

Next up:

The 24th and 25th single passenger trips....which ought to give us loads of wiggle room.
And by the way...the 26th is still wide open.

If I'm not booked for "black Friday" it will be the first time in my carreer of 14-1/2 years that I wasn't booked for the day after Thanksgiving. So, right there you can see the world is not the same as it used to be.

I'd like to kick the person in the azz, who messed up my world. If you see him or her.....send 'em my way. So I can do a number on them!

Captain Dave Sipler's Sport Fishing
904-642-9546
charters@captdaves.com
JacksonvilleFishingReports.blogspot.com

I know..... "I'll have to get in line, huh?"
Posted by Capt. Dave Sipler - JETTYWOLF

Sarasota Fishing Report 11-23-2010

Capt. Rick Grassett’s Fishing Report for 11/21/2010


            Anglers fishing with me on my flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action in Sarasota Bay with catch and release trout and blues on CAL jigs with a variety of plastic tails and DOA Deadly Combos and little tunny in the coastal gulf on flies during the past week. In addition, we also caught scattered Spanish mackerel and pompano in Sarasota Bay.

            A former high school classmate of mine, Tom Clark from VA, and a couple of guests fished Sarasota Bay with me on Monday. They caught and released numerous trout and blues on CAL jigs with shad tails on deep grass flats at Stephens and Bishop Point. Bill Moore, from Libertyville, IL, fished with me on Tuesday and Sarasota winter resident, Tom Lamb, and John Freeman, Jr., from Venice, FL fished with me on Wednesday and had similar action in the same areas with the same lures.

            The action picked up a little on Thursday when Sarasota winter residents, Dennis Kolarik and Tom Mulder, fished Sarasota Bay with me. In addition to numerous trout, they caught and released blues, Spanish mackerel and connected with a nice pompano along the east side of Sarasota Bay on CAL jigs with shad tails, DOA Deadly Combos and flies.

            One of the best trips of the week was on Friday with Stephanie Kieselewski, from Sarasota, FL, who collected her trip, which I donated to Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers. We had tried to take the trip a couple of other times and had to cancel due to poor conditions, but the third time was a charm. We fly fished the coastal gulf off Siesta and Casey Keys where Stephanie caught and released 5 little tunny on my Grassett Snook Minnow fly. Great action!

            I participated in CB’s Saltwater Outfitters annual “Fishing Extravaganza” on Saturday, a fun filled day with fishing seminars, fly casting demos and much more provided by the staff and guides at CB’s as well as several other guides from our area. If you are interested in learning to fly fish or if you already have some experience but want to improve your skills or correct problems, I will be the instructor for a CB’s Saltwater Outfitter’s Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing school on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010. The school will cover fly casting basics, line control, shooting line and the roll cast. I will also cover leader construction, fly selection and saltwater fly fishing techniques. Cost for the school, which will run from 9 AM to 4 PM, is $150 per person and includes the use of premium Orvis fly tackle, a text book and lunch. Contact me or CB’s Saltwater Outfitters at (941) 349-4400 or cbsoutfitters@verizon.net to make reservations.

            Next week’s negative low tides in the morning should concentrate reds, trout and snook in potholes on shallow flats. Some of the best action should continue to be on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay with trout and blues and in the coastal gulf with Spanish mackerel and little tunny.

 Tight Lines,

Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com





Tom Mulder, from Sarasota, FL, with a nice Spanish mackerel caught and released on a DOA Deadly Combo while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.

 

Stephanie Kieselewski, from Sarasota, FL, caught and released her first little tunny on a Grassett Snook Minnow fly while fishing the coastal gulf off Sarasota with Capt. Rick Grassett.

Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report 11-22-2010

Mosquito Creek Outdoors Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, November 21, 2010

By Captain Tom Van Horn

First and foremost, let me start this report by wishing everyone a very blessed Thanksgiving holiday.  Thanksgiving is the time of year when we step back from our fast paced lives just for a moment, take a deep breath, and count our many blessings.  As an angler, publisher and fishing guide here on Florida's Space Coast, I'm extremely blessed by a great family, friends, clients, weather and great fishing.  I'm thankful for my freedom and the abundance of opportunities available and I'm extremely grateful to those serving our country both here and abroad, past and present, for the gifts we enjoy every day, God bless.

Second, I must start this report by apologizing for tardiness as I'm just wrapping up my 27th week long annual pilgrimage to the Sebastian Inlet area.  It may be hard to fathom that someone in the fishing industry would take a fishing vacation, but I'm already missing it and looking forward to next year's quest.
Mike and Becky in the New Mosquito Bay Skiff
Mike and Becky seeing red on Mosquito Bay

You may recall from my last report, my primary boat "Three Quarter Time" is out of service for an engine overhaul and facelift, and I was granted the opportunity by the nice folks at Central Florida Marine in Maitland, Florida to field test their new Mosquito Bay Skiff on my Sebastian vacation.  Well, although the Mosquito Bay Skiff is a smaller lighter boat than my 1995 Maverick Master Angler, I was extremely pleased by its overall quality, efficiency and it performance.  Drawing only six inches of water, the Buzz tracked very well and it was easy to pole in shallow with absolutely no haul slap against the wind.  Powered by a 70 horsepower Yamaha four stroke engine, the skiff was surprisingly quick out of the hole, a comfortable ride and very fuel efficient.  During my five days of fishing with three anglers in the boat, we burned only seven gallons of fuel.  To sum up my experience, the folks at Mosquito Bay Skiff have designed a winner built for today's market.  The Buzz is a quality built well performing light technical polling skiff.  It is both practical and efficient and with a base price of 20,000 dollars, it's affordable.  The Mosquito Bay Skiff is a built factory direct and can be made to order, and its built right here in Orlando.  I would suggest if you are in the market for a new boat, it is worth a visit to Central Florida Marine to see what the Buzz is all about.

Now for my Sebastian vacation report:  Although I've been hearing good reports on flounder catches in and around the inlet, we caught only a few gulf flounder and only one pompano in five days of fishing.  The water temperature is still too high, and the flounder and pompano are not moving through the inlet yet.  From my first sentence, you may think fishing was tough, but the beautiful thing about Sebastian is there's always something to catch, and catching we did.  Throughout the week, the sea trout and redfish bite was off the hook as we averaged 50 plus fish days all week.  Most of our sea trout were taken early in the morning fishing in close to the spoil islands lining the ICW north of the inlet.  Not only were they biting well, they were mostly upper slot and over slot fish, taken on  Hook-up Pompano Jigs tipped with shrimp and DOA CAL Jigs with a Woodies Rattle inserted.  It's always the case, when sea trout are out of season, the big ones are chewing.  As for redfish, we averaged 10 reds a day, with the majority coming from the Black Point area south of the inlet up close to the mangroves using the same baits.


Becky's Sebastian Redfish



Rory's Respectable Sea Trout



Captain Tom's Sebastian Trout

All in all, the weather was great, the fish were chewing and I couldn't have asked for a better vacation on the water with family and friends.

Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless,

Captain Tom Van Horn
Mosquito Coast fishing Charters
(407) 416-1187 on the water
http://www.irl-fishing.com

For all of your holiday shopping needs, visit Mosquito Creek Outdoors in Apopka where everything in the fishing department is 25% off through Christmas.  For more details, visit http://www.mosquitocreek.com.

Indian River Fishing Report 11-22-2010

Central Florida Sight Fishing Charters
Capt. Chris Myers
November 21, 2010

Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report


The redfish action in Mosquito Lagoon was outstanding the first couple weeks of this month. With a recent spike in the water level, there have not been near as many redfish but the trout have been plentiful. That will change soon however, and it will be back to great tailing fish action.


Tim joined me for his annual trip to Mosquito Lagoon and at the first flat we visited there were redfish tails in every direction. He landed five and had at least that many come unhooked before they began to move out to deeper water. The watermelon holographic DOA shrimp accounted for all the bites.




The wind picked up and some clouds rolled in shutting down the sight fishing. Tim switched over to a 3" CAL jig and landed numerous trout off the edges of the flats to finish the day.


The following morning, Jerry and Rick were hoping for some redfish to bend their flyrods. They were not disappointed. Again, there were redfish tails in every direction. Using #4 bendback flies in white and gold, they each landed some redfish and had several more bites and follows during an excellent morning of fishing.







The following week, I arrived at the Lagoon to a windy morning with temperatures in the low 40's. It is definitely not my kind of weather but the fish did not seem to mind. I did not see tons of fish nor were any of them tailing. The fish I did see, however, were more than willing to bite. Over a dozen reds fell for various color DOA shrimp.




Fred and Shan joined me later that week. The redfish provided plenty of shots on the flats and they each landed one on a CAL bait before we elected to do some trout fishing. Using the DOA Deadly Combo kept the rods bent with some catch and release trout action.


This past week, I fished with Allen from North Carolina. The water level was nearly a foot higher than it had been the first couple weeks of the month and many of the redfish had vacated the flats. We encountered several small groups of tailing redfish in the morning and Allen landed one using the DOA shrimp.



We found an area holding a few redfish and some large trout. Using a holographic 5.5 inch CAL, Allen landed three nice trout and had several more big trout shake free.



The final trip of this past week was a challenge. Thick clouds and 20mph winds were not what had been forecast but it is what we got all day long. Sight fishing was next to impossible except for a 30 minute period at the end of the day. The rough water made trout fishing uncomfortable and only a few were landed before we gave up.


The weather this holiday week looks to be a bit more stable and will hopefully bring some more of that excellent tailing action we saw earlier in the month. When the fish are tailing, small baits or files work best.

Capt. Chris Myers
Central Florida Sight Fishing Charters
http://www.floridafishinglessons.com/
321-229-2848

American Shad and Crappie Derby 2010

Second Annual Central Florida American Shad and Crappie Derby

For Immediate Release

Date:  November 21, 2010

Contact:          Captain Tom Van Horn, Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando
                         mosquitocoast@cfl.rr.com, (407) 416-1187
Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando, Fishing Florida Radio and our event sponsors proudly present the second annual, Central Florida Shad and Crappie Derby to be held during the months of January and February 2011 in the Greater Orlando area.  The two month long catch photo and release (CPR) derby is free to all anglers who register at any of our derby sponsor locations.  Anglers are permitted to fish anywhere they choose in Florida, and as much as they want during the derby timeframe. All participants must log into and upload their photos to www.cfshadderby.com.  All photos must be taken using the official derby measuring device and include the official derby sponsor token.
American shad are an anadromous species that return to the St. Johns River every spring to spawn, and their run is the closest we Floridians will ever see to the salmon runs experienced in the northeastern and northwestern coasts of North America.  Crappies on the other hand are year round residents of Central Florida that inhabit all freshwater lakes and waterways.  Black crappie are abundant during the colder months of the year and they are fun to catch using the same tackle, baits and techniques as shad.
Derby Dates:
January 1, 2011 Derby starts at safe light. (Both shad and crappie derbies)
February 28th 2011 Derby ends at sunset. (Both shad and crappie derbies)
Saturday, December 11th - 10: 00 - 12:00 AM,   Shad & Crappie Derby Anglers Registration Meeting at Mosquito Creek Outdoors. "Free Seminars" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers and Charlie McCullough, "Preparing for the Shad Run & Crappie Season", anglers giveaways and more,  located in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington Ave., Apopka Florida,  http://www.mosquitocreek.com
Saturday, January 22nd  11:00 - 2:00 PM, Free Crappie Rally at Boat Tree Marina Sanford, "Free Seminar" Instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers and Charlie McCullough, "Catching American Shad  & Crappie". Event includes sponsor displays, giveaways and a raffle with all proceeds going to Anglers for Conservation (AFC), Hook Kids on Fishing Program.
Saturday, February 12th 11:00 - 2:00 PM, Free Shad Rally at the Jolly Gator Fish Camp adjacent to CS Lee Park in Geneva, Florida - "Free Seminar" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers and Charlie McCullough, "Shad Fishing Tactics" Event includes sponsor displays, giveaways and a raffle with all proceeds going to Anglers for conservation (AFC), Hook Kids on Fishing Program.
Saturday, March 5th at 12 Noon: Shad and Crappie Derby Awards Ceremony at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington Ave., Apopka Florida.
Derby Rules:
Derby starts at sunrise on Sunday January 1st, and ends at sunset February 28th.
There are no entry fees; anglers must register at one of the eleven official derby sponsor locations and pick-up the official Derby Rules, Measuring Ruler and Token.
Anglers must meet all of the fishing regulations requirements of the State of Florida and possess both freshwater and saltwater license as they apply.
This is a catch, photograph and release (CPR) tournament only.
Anglers are permitted to fish anywhere in Florida.
Angles must take fish with hook and line only.
Anglers are permitted to fish in any manner desired, paddle fishing, boat, shoreline or wade.
Anglers can fish as many times as they want within the derby timeframe.
Five categories will be presented, fly division, conventional division, youth division 15-years old and under, Ladies division, and Pro Angler division.
Fish must be measured using the official measuring device, other commercial or homemade measuring devices are forbidden. Official measurement will be total length from the nose to the tip of the tail for crappie, and from nose to fork of the tail on shad, and the longest fish wins.
Anglers are responsible for uploading photos to the official derby judging internet site. Photos must include the official derby token, no exceptions.
Derby judges final decision stands.

 Prizes:
 Shad: 1st Place Conventional, 1st Place Fly, 1st Place Junior, 1st Ladies, 1st Pro Angler
Crappie: 1st Place Conventional, 1st Place Fly, 1st Place Junior, 1st Ladies, 1st Pro Angler

Derby Sponsors and Angler Signup Locations:
            Angler Signup Locations:
Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 S. Washington Avenue, Apopka, FL  32703, (407) 464-2000
 Kels Rod and Reel, 430 State Road 436, Casselberry, FL 32707, (407) 834-3008 
Boat Tree Marina, 4370 Carraway Place, Sanford, FL 32771, (407)322-1610
Mud Hole Custom Tackle, 400 Kane Court, Oviedo, FL 32765, (407) 447-7637
Dicks Sporting Goods, 4615 Millenia Plaza Way, Orlando, FL 32839 (407) 355-0733
Dicks Sporting Goods, 2500 International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114 (386) 255-5533
Huey Magoos, 4293 Alafaya Trail, Oviedo, FL 32765-9410, (407) 977-0213
Huey Magoos, 160 Tuskawilla Rd, Winter Springs, FL 32708, (407)706-6004
High Tide Harrys 4645 S. Semoran Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32822, (407) 273-4422
Central Florida Marine, 1021 N. Orlando Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751, (407) 647-6262
Bethel Marine Electronics, 5810 US Highway 1, Rockledge, FL  32955, (321) 639-7128

 Event Sponsors:
Fish on Fire, 7937 Daetwyler Drive, Orlando, Florida 32812, (407) 812-6881
Seminole County CVB, 1000 AAA Drive, Suite 200, MS14, Heathrow, FL 32746 ,(407) 665-2900
Investment & Insurance Planning Services, David J. Blount,CSA, (407) 719-0940
BCN Law,1635 E. Hwy 50 Suite 300, Clermont, Fl 34711, (352) 394-2103
Jolly Gator Fish Camp, 4650 E State Rd 46 , Geneva, FL 32732 , (407) 349-5554
Sea Tow Central Florida Lakes, 12307 Wedgefield Dr., Grand Island, FL 32735, (877)-800-1492
Shren Yeager State Farm Insurance, 49A E 3rd St, Apopka, FL 32703-4245, (407) 880-3167


 Prize Sponsors:

TTI-Blakemore
INOX
Mistic Fly Rods
US Reel

St Croix Rods
Chuckit Bucket
Crappie Masters
Nungesser Lures

Jensen Beach Fishing Report 11-19-2010

FISHING 11/14/10

Well what can I say about the weather other than unpredictable, wind and waves do make a difference? Our week started with a predication of eight foot seas and it did not happen, fishing was great all week until the end of the week then we felt the wrath of Mother Nature. We started the week surf fishing and it was plenty of Blues on cut bait and spoons, Mac’s, Jacks, and Snook kept most anglers busy taking the same. Whiting and Pompano were there also eating shrimp and clams and the bite was on, no mater the time there were fish and if you waited half an hour the what ever species was not there was back and a plenty. Now the seas were forecast to be in the six foot area as they were for the whole week, but not until the week end did it blow and build, the week end. I am not sure if you could get to blue water with a fourteen foot pole it was that big, sun was shining but the sea conditions were impossible. Monday, three to four foot waves and shrinking.

Anglers that went to the inlet were pleasantly surprised, a little choppy but when past the inlet it was little more than swells. Pulling ballyhoo put a lot of fifteen to twenty pound dolphin in the boat, lots of Dolphin, action zone 100’ to 150’ and mixed in were the Sails, Black Fins, Bonita and more Dolphin. It has been a long time coming, gaffer Dolphin and plenty of them to the point that anglers pulled away from them only to find more Dolphin. Busy with the Sails 8 for ten, 6 for 12, the list was long and it made no difference weather you were north or south of the inlet the important thing was the depth, 100’. It was a little chunky for bottom fish but those that had the courage found plenty of Mutton and Mangroves to eat all the sardines they had brought with them. Now it is the week end and the seas are impossible, why always on the week end?

River anglers found plenty of fish, pesky Trout (season is closed), excellent Reds, plenty of Blues and the Pompano bite is on. Jigging Pompano from the bridges at the east end of the causeways, high out going seems to be the tide, these are fish are silver and the six is the bag. Reds love the cooler weather, east or west side of the river and just about any thing you put in the water they would chew on. From live baits to pieces of crab or mullet got their attention and those pesky Trout. Flounder from many locations, don’t know if they were the target but quite a few went home with the anglers. Snook, the worst the weather the better the Snook fishing, pick a bridge, sun down, cast a Bomber plug or a Flair Hawk on the shadow lines and set the hook. So many Snook that anglers got to take one home, please do not bring a knife to the gun fight……………………HENRY

Snook Nook Bait & Tackle
3595 NE Indian River Drive
Jensen Beach, FL
(Just South of the Jensen Causeway)
(772)-334-2145
(Since 1949)
E-Mail: henry@snooknook.net
www.snooknook.net       

Florida Keys Fishing Report 11-17-2010

Wednesday, November 17, 2010



Fantastic day fishing out of Holiday Isle Marina in the Florida Keys
Craig Larmier in town visiting from Ashville, NC had a nice day fishing on the Reel Sharp. He caught two sailfish and hooked up many more. He said he'd rather stay here and fish than go back to the snow. On the backcountry side we had Capt's. Kiwi Hughes, Billy Wert, Cliff Tatje, Steve Murray and Chuck Kitto who all fished in the Racers Invitational today. They all reported catching fish non-stop all day long. In the bay they caught redfish, sea trout, mangrove snapper, 8-10 pound jack crevalles, barracudas as big as 15 pounds and ladyfish. There were also some tarpon rolling early this morning they had shots at. Some of the guys ended the day out on the patch reefs where they caught gag, red and black groupers, porgys and more snappers.

Nikki Holiday Isle Offshore 800-327-7070 Etc 642

Holiday Isle Resort and Marina
84001 Overseas Highway
Islamorada, FL 33036
305-664-2321 ext. 642
Direct: 305-433-9942
www.holidayisle.com
kharper@holidayisle.com   

Posted by Let's Fish at Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Ft. Lauderdale Fishing Charters 11-17-10

Fort Lauderdale Fishing Report 11/17/10

Fishing has been pretty good lately. The sailfish and mahi have been biting pretty steady with the occasional kingfish mixed in live baiting on the kites. Trolling has been producing a few kingfish and mahi as well as some smaller blackfin tuna. Vermillion snapper season closed on the 1st of the month so nothing to report there. Wreck fishing has been a little slow lately but I am sure it will pick up again. The weather has been great and there are fish out there to be caught. That’s all for now, hope to see you soon.

Captain Walter Shaw
Reel Work Sport Fishing Charters
301 Seabreeze Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
954-522-9399
1-877-524-9377
Fort Lauderdale Fishing Charters

Fishing In The Wind

Saturday, November 13, 2010

A word on wind from Capt. Steve Murray of Florida Fishing Headquarters
Is it too windy to go fishing? I get asked that question a lot. This last weekend was the first big cold front to come through the Keys this fall. It was blowing 25 to 35mph and the temperature went from a balmy 82 degrees to 59 degrees overnight. Yikes!!! All the books I read say - don't even bother fishing today! Well - I say - you don't know until you go!!

We slayed the fish this weekend - over 50 redfish on Saturday, several black drum, some nice mangrove snapper and a few good trout. O.K. this was just the first day of the cold front. The water temperature had only come down about 8 degrees. Sunday will be the real test. The weather was just as bad or worse on Sunday. Still blowing, just as cold and the water temperature was down another 8-10 degrees. We murdered 'em on Sunday. We caught over 30 redfish - several fish in the 4 to 6 pound range. We landed 15 to 20 black drum from 3 to 10 pounds, several big mangrove snapper up to 3 pounds, sheepshead from 2 to 5 pounds and 3 beautiful snook from 4-7 pounds!! Monday the fishing was red hot too. On a half day trip we boated several snook up to 7 pounds, 2 sheepshead in the 5 pound range, about 20 reds and several nice mangrove snapper. Wow! I sure wouldn't want to be the guy who didn't want to go fishing because it was too windy and cold.

In general, when it is windy and cold the fishing can be tough. But in our area, the Florida Bay, the first big cold front of the Fall can mean great fishing. The wind blows strong out of the north and that pushes a large portion of the water out of the Florida Bay. Many of the flats are bone dry (no water) - that pushes all the fish that were previously swimming the flats into the deeper water holes. It concentrates the fish. So, if you can find the hole that these fish have gather in - you can find some great fishing. Another key element during a cold front is the shrimp run. So, we have no water on the flats, fish concentrated in the deep pockets and shrimp running off the flats into the deep pockets - this can equal some of the best fishing you will see all year. Don't let the weather get you turned off fishing. There's only 2 kinds of weather - whether you go fishing or whether you don't.

Posted by Let's Fish at Saturday, November 13, 2010

Nikki Holiday Isle Offshore 800-327-7070 Etc 642

Holiday Isle Resort and Marina
84001 Overseas Highway
Islamorada, FL 33036
305-664-2321 ext. 642
Direct: 305-433-9942
www.holidayisle.com
kharper@holidayisle.com    

Sarasota Fishing Report 11-15-2010

Capt. Rick Grassett’s Fishing Report for 11/13/2010



            Anglers fishing with me on my flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with reds, blues, trout, little tunny and Spanish mackerel on DOA baits and flies last week.

            Longboat Key winter resident, Nick Reding, wade fished in north Sarasota Bay with me a couple of days last week. He caught and released several reds and a sheepshead on one trip and a couple of blues and a snook on another trip on a baitfish fly pattern. Jon Yenari and Kyle Ruffing, both from Sarasota, FL, fished with me in the coastal gulf off Siesta Key on Tuesday, 11/9 caught and released 6 little tunny to 12-pounds on glass minnow fly patterns. Later in the day, they caught and released a nice trout and a 4-lb bluefish on Clouser flies at Stephens Point. Bill Moore and his son, Mark, both from Libertyville, IL fished Sarasota Bay with me on Friday, 11/12. They caught and released numerous trout to 22”, a couple of reds, several blues and a Spanish mackerel on CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos along the east side of Sarasota Bay.

            Action should continue to be good in both Sarasota Bay and the coastal gulf. Next week’s tides will improve towards the end of the week as we head towards a full moon.



Tight Lines,

Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com

Mark Moore, from Libertyville, IL, caught and released this over slot trout on a DOA Deadly combo while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.

Jon Yenari (holding fish) and Kyle Ruffing, both from Sarasota, FL, had good action in the coastal gulf last week. They caught and released 6 albies to 12-pounds on glass minnow fly patterns while fishing with Capt. Rick Grassett off Siesta Key.

Panhandle Fishing Report 11-12-2010

Report for 11/12/2010
Salt Water


PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE AND INSHORE
Bottom fishing remains steady this week for Triggerfish, Mangroves, Red Snapper, Grouper and Amberjack. Remember! Red snapper season closes for 2010 at 12:01 am local time on November 22nd. Lastly there are still plenty of King mackerel haunting our inshore reefs and wrecks. Both trolled lures and live bait have put them in the box.

Mexico beach anglers are reporting white trout catches around the pier and canal jetties. White trout aren’t the only biting in that area, several King and Spanish mackerel were caught from the pier and many flounder in the Mexico Beach canal. While flounder are actively biting throughout St. Joseph's Bay the hot spot remains beneath the George Tapper Bridge. In the surf from Mexico Beach to Cape San Blas anglers are enjoying Pompano, Whiting and occasional big Redfish.

ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM



Picture sent in by Mike Twyford, "Monday I caught this speckle on a gulp shrimp under a cork not far from Bailey's bridge on north bay. I was standing in two feet of water! I was amazed. Big fan of Berkeley gulp now."

NAVARRE

SURF
The Pompano have showed up along the beaches. There have been some reports of a few good fish being caught. Best baits remain live or frozen sand fleas and live and frozen shrimp. Pompano jigs will catch them too. The Bonito are in the surf too. Any bright colored lure worked fast will catch them. As the water continues to cool, the Pompano bite will increase. There are a lot of Ladyfish (skipjack), Spanish mackerel and Bluefish to be caught as well. Bright spoons, Gotcha plugs, Straw Rigs, Top Water and regular plugs will catch them. Live and frozen Shrimp will take them too. Redfish have showed up on the beach as well. Some will be slot size fish but for the most part they will be over the slot. Live, frozen and cut baits, especially cut mullet will catch them. There have been reports of the occasional Flounder being caught, some will be some nice fish over five pounds. Best baits are Tiger, Bull minnows and live finger Mullet.

SOUND AND BAYS
Trout remain on the grass flats in three to five feet of water. If you have no luck there try to go deeper, say five to nine feet. You can catch your biggest Trout early and late in the day on top water baits and on live baits. Live Shrimp, Tiger Minnows, Pinfish, Menhaden and Mullet all catch Trout. Now is a good time of year to throw the top water baits early in the morning for the bigger Trout. Redfish can be caught on the same live baits and artificial lures. Work all visible and underwater structure to increase your chances at hooking up with a red. Skipjack, Jack Crevalle, Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel and Flounder can all be caught in the bay this time of year. The Flounder fishing should start to pick up with the gradually cooling water. Finger Mullet, Bull Minnows and Tiger Minnows are hard to beat. Mangrove Snapper on are the bridge pilings, tie on a 12” piece of 10# to 12# fluorocarbon leader, a #1 hook, ½oz sinker and a live shrimp. This rig will take Sheepshead as well. The upper part of east Bay has been good for Redfish and Trout. Try fishing around the power lines and the surrounding oyster bars. King Mackerel will be in the bays from now until the water gets to cold. Try slow trolling live baits in the pass, along the three mile bridge and in front of the Palafox Pier should prove productive. Don’t overlook trolling a big Rapala bait for these fish as well. You can also anchor and chum for them with Menhaden Oil or cut up Menhaden. Put your live bait under a balloon and wait for Mr. King to come along.

NEAR SHORE – GULF
There have been some good reports of King Mackerel and Spanish mackerel caught right off the beach and outside Pensacola Pass in the last few weeks. Live Cigar Minnows and Blue Runners (hard tails) are the bait of choice. If there are large schools of bait around the King and Spanish Mackerel are not far away. The big Redfish have begun to show up in the pass. Jigs, cut bait and live bait all take these fish. You may encounter a slot Red while fishing, but be sure to put the big ones back. This is a good time of year to look for the big schools of Redfish to be on top just outside and within one or two miles of the pass. Try looking for birds working the schools. Throw top water baits for some great action or a large spoon or jig. For the fly rod enthusiasts this is prime time. Any pattern that imitates a large baitfish will serve you well. Live baits or jigs will catch them to.

OFFSHORE – GULF
The bottom fishing for Snapper and Grouper remains very good. Live bait and frozen bait will work on both. Don’t be surprised if an Amberjack shows up, especially if you are jigging with a Butterfly jig or fishing with live Hardtails. Black Snapper have been on all the reefs this year. Use live shrimp and live Tiger Minnows. However, they will eat the same baits as Red Snapper. I have had some good reports of Yellowfin Tuna being caught around the offshore oil platforms. The Destin rodeo has weighed in two fish over 100 lbs so far. Most anglers are trolling, jigging or chumming. Look for weed lines and floating debris if you are interested in catching some Mahi Mahi, Wahoo and other species. I had a report today of a couple of Wahoo in the 30lb and 50 lb range being caught recently.

Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              850-234-2621      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              850-234-2621      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, FL 32408
www.halfhitch.com


Fishing Report prepared by Half Hitch Tackle Staff.

The Captains Corner Fishing Report is provided by local charter captains and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Half Hitch Tackle.

This report is dedicated to the memory of Al Hubbard.
Al Hubbard was a field editor for Florida Sportsman magazine, an outdoor writer for the News Herald and a board member of the Florida Outdoor Writer's Association.
Mr. Hubbard was also the owner of Al's Outdoors Outfitting Services.

Falls Bull Redfish

November Tampa Fishing Report
Friday, 05 November 2010 15:02 | Written by Stewart Ames



October Tampa Fishing Charters rewarded numerous anglers with exceptionally large redfish, although fishing was somewhat inconsistent.  Fish were located in only a few areas, but when the bite was "on", it was as good as it gets.  These larger breeder or bull reds populate areas near local passes in anticipation of their yearly spawn.  Most stories that local anglers hear about bull reds are told by offshore fishermen who run across large schools while grouper fishing but inshore anglers can join the party during the October / November time frame.  The most effective approach used by Tampa fishing guides for catching these big fish is to go to rock piles or hard bottom areas near the beach and chum aggressively, using chum blocks, cut or whole whitebait.  Position the boat uptide of this structure so that chum drifts through the target area.  Usually, within in hour's time, a fish will be hooked if they are in the area.  Understand that these fish may be a part of a larger school roaming up and down the beach and may be in one area one day and gone the next.  The chances of catching one of these trophy sized fish is certainly less than than catching your "run of the mill" slot redfish, but just getting a chance to fight one of these really big fish can the redfishing experience of a lifetime.  Best baits for these bruisers are probably large pinfish because they are big enough to be of interest and will not be bothered by the broad range smaller fish that will likely be present.  Standard redfish tackle can be used to catch these larger fish, although moving up a notch to heavier spinning tackle such as that used for kingfish is a safer approach. Last year, these trophies were available well into November and barring any extreme cold, the same should be true for this year.



The cooler temperatures of mid to late October chilled the fall snook bite once and for all.  Although fish can be caught during our colder months, the task becomes much more difficult...probably best just to wait until next spring. Seatrout are being caught in reasonable numbers, although many short trout are still mixed with those of legal length. As of November 1st however, it doesn't really matter as the south region (south of Fred Howard Park) is closed until January 1st.  Look for the winter gator trout to begin showing in the next 30 days.  Although "off limits" for the frying pan, great catch and release fishing can be had during the closed season.   Often times, the early season jig and top water can be quite good.



Some of the best Tampa Fishing over the last three weeks has been on near shore hard bottom areas within 5 miles of the beach.  Large Spanish mackerel in the three to five pound range have been feeding ravenously and catching thirty of these fish on a Tampa fishing charter has been an achievable task on numerous occasions.  1017jackmbonitaMixing in with these speedy predators are bonita, kingfish, spinner sharks and the occasional barracuda. The recipe for fast action on these hard bottom areas used by most Tampa fishing guides is the following.  Pull up over an area of hard bottom several miles off the beach and look for a large bait school. Threadfin herring are the predominant bait in these locations.  Rest assured that if  there is hard bottom and bait,  it is likely that larger fish seeking an easy meal will be in the neighborhood.  Next, drop a chum bag.  Deploy a few free-lined baits off the back of the boat...preferably medium to large sized whitebaits...and then start chumming with additional whitebait.  If you are in the right area, strikes will almost always occur within fifteen to twenty minutes.  Typically, mackerel are the early arrivals and provide entertainment while some of the larger predators work their way up the chum slick trail.  A kingfish or bonita may be the next to show, signaling it's presence with a reel emptying run.  With braided line, smaller tackle can now be used to land these larger fish as the reduced line diameter allows for more line capacity.  1020jonkingfishIf you are not experienced with light tackle fishing however, starting with a 6000 series reel like a Shimano Spheros, loaded with three hundred plus yards of 30 pound braided Power Pro line is probably sporty enough.  Kingfish on this spinning gear may run two hundred yards dead away from the boat, only to turn directly back at the angler.  The alert angler will reel as fast as possible knowing that, after five or ten seconds, the line will come tight again on a kingfish that is now all the    way back to the boat or even past it going the other direction.  A second and maybe a third run will follow...hopefully concluding with a landed kingfish.  With all of this activity, spinner sharks in the thirty to eighty pound class typically find their way into your slick.  First sightings of the acrobatic sharks are usually exciting.  They may explode on a tired mackerel of kingfish near boat side, leaving the angler with no fish or terminal tackle, or maybe just a fish head...or they may actually become hooked.  Often times this results in a catapulting, twisting leap some five to six feet into the air as they attempt to free themselves, which they usually do.  The novelty of these shark encounters wears off after a couple of quality fish are cut in half however.  If an angler has a desire to actually land one of these1101kirbyscuda sharks, most Tampa fishing guides will have a boat rod with a length of heavier steel leader to accomplish this task.  When fishing over more pronounced structure such as artificial reefs, large "reef smart" barracuda are still available.  Like the sharks, they usually blow thier cover when chasing their favorite meal...a Spanish mackerel.  Once a mackerel is hit, the most effective way to catch the barracuda is to deploy another live mackerel as, once their feeding switch is in the "on" position, they become much more likely to eat another offering.



November's first cold fronts are unlikley to send the redfish and near shore predators south so, barring any extreme weather, Tampa fishing should remain strong this month.  If you have an interest in getting out on the water, give Gone Fishing Charters a call.  Good luck and good fishing.



Captain Stewart Ames
Gone Fishing Charters
US Coast Guard Licensed Captain
Member Florida Guides Association
sames001@tampabay.rr.com
(727) 421-5291">             (727) 421-5291      

Sarasota Fishing Report 11-9-2010

Capt. Rick Grassett’s Fishing Report for 11/7/2010



            Anglers fishing with me on my flats skiff the Snook Fin-Addict, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, caught and released snook, reds, trout, blues, Spanish mackerel and flounder on jigs and flies during the past week. The best action was on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay with a variety of species.

            Sarasota winter residents, Norm and Francie Boardman, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Monday afternoon. The action was slow but they caught a couple of blues to 4-pounds and several trout on CAL jigs with shad tails and Ultra Hair Clouser flies near Buttonwood Harbor. A high school classmate of mine from Seaford, DE, Allen Handy and his wife, Jessye, fished Sarasota Bay with me on Tuesday. They caught and released numerous trout, several blues and a Spanish mackerel on CAL jigs with shad tails and DOA Deadly Combos at Stephens Point.

            Outdoor writer and guide, Capt. Dave Lear from Tallahassee, FL, fished with me on Tuesday evening and Wednesday. We were on a snook mission, so we fished the ICW near Venice on Tuesday evening and caught and released a few snook to 22” on Grassett Snook Minnow flies. We fished Sarasota Bay on Wednesday and caught and released snook and a flounder on CAL jigs with shad tails near Long Bar.  Bill and Scott Moore, from IL, fished the east side of Sarasota Bay with me on Friday. They had steady action with trout, blues, Spanish mackerel and a flounder on DOA Deadly Combos and CAL jigs.

            I fished the 6th annual MCFF/CCA “Fall Fly Fishing Challenge” on Saturday. Despite cold and windy conditions, lots of fish were caught. Roger Williams, from Bradenton, FL fished with me and we had fast action with reds in north Sarasota Bay. We waded a sand bar and caught and released 6 reds to 23 ½”. Dusty Sprague, from North Port, FL, was the winner of the Open division and Robert Fischer, from Tampa, FL was the winner of the Fly Angler division. This is a fun, low stakes fly fishing tournament designed to promote the sport and raise a little money for conservation.

             If you are interested in learning to fly fish or if you already have some experience but want to improve your skills or correct problems, I will be the instructor for a CB’s Saltwater Outfitter’s Orvis-Endorsed fly fishing school on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010. The school will cover fly casting basics, line control, shooting line and the roll cast. I will also cover leader construction, fly selection and saltwater fly fishing techniques. Cost for the school, which will run from 9 AM to 4 PM, is $150 per person and includes the use of premium Orvis fly tackle, a text book and lunch. Contact me or CB’s Saltwater Outfitters at (941) 349-4400 or cbsoutfitters@verizon.net to make reservations.

            Action should heat up in Sarasota Bay and the coastal gulf following this weekend’s front. There were still lots of Spanish mackerel and little tunny in the coastal gulf earlier in the week, so when things settle down that should be a good option.

 Tight Lines,

Capt. Rick Grassett
Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor
(941) 923-7799 
E-mail snookfin@aol.com
www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com

Outdoor writer and guide, Capt. Dave Lear from Tallahassee, FL, with a nice flounder caught and released on a CAL jig with a shad tail while fishing Sarasota Bay with Capt. Rick Grassett.

Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report 11-8-2010

Mosquito Creek Outdoors Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, 

November 6, 2010

By Captain Tom Van Horn

Seminars and Events
Tuesday, November 9th, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, Orlando Kayak Fishing Club Meeting (open to all) in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoor in Apopka Florida.

Saturday, November 20th, 9:30 - 10:30 AM, "Free Seminar" Fishing with the Pros instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn and Chris Myers,  Basic fishing open forum, followed by "Preparing for the Shad Run & Crappie Season & Shad Derby Meeting" 10:30 - 11:30 AM in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington Ave., Apopka Florida.



This Weeks Fishing Report
As anglers we often have good days and bad days on the water, even though it is often said that a bad day of fishing beats a good day at work anytime.  Well last week I had one of those bad days as the main barring on my three year old Yamaha engine unexpectedly failed.  In my experience, Yamaha engines have always served me well, so nonetheless I was very disappointed when my mechanic confirmed my worst fears.   The ironic thing about the whole situation is the fact that I have just made my last boat payment the week before, and I was thinking about spending my extra funds on some updates and improvements.  The other bad thing about the situation is that on Friday of next week, I'm scheduled to spend the whole week fishing down in Sebastian on my annual pilgrimage for flounder and pompano.  For the past 29 years, I've spent the third week of November fishing with family and friends, and for the first time, my fishing adventure looked like it would be from shore.

Typically when life delivers us a setback, as bad as it may seem at the time, good things end up happening when it's all said and done.  This seems to have been the case with in this situation as the fine folks at Central Florida Marine in Maitland Florida have generously offered me the opportunity to field test one of their new Mosquito Bay Skiffs for the whole week.  They are also going to allow me to use the skiff to cover my charters until my Maverick is back on line.  The Mosquito Bay Skiff is a new technical poling skiff built factory direct in Orlando that offers affordable and practical quality, instead of extravagant expense, and I'm excited for the opportunity to fish from the new boat.  I will let you know more about the skiff in my next report when I return from Sebastian.  To check out the new Mosquito Bay Skiff for yourself, drop by Central Florida Marine on Hwy. 1792 in Maitland or visit their website at http://www.mosquitobayskiffs.com.


Mosquito Bay Skiff Fly fishing


Mosquito Bay Skiff

As our first significant cold front of the year passes; we are still waiting for a cool down in ocean temperatures. Cooler water temperatures will enhance the feeding frenzy we've experienced these past few weeks. With nighttime air temperatures in the lower 50's, this week could mark the arrival of the fall cobia and tripletail run and the flounder migration out of the inlets.

Last week heavy seas kept most anglers off of the water, but the seas should be settling down and by Wednesday conditions should be ideal.  Large schools of Spanish mackerel are currently feeding on schools of glass minnows in the near-shore waters just outside Port Canaveral and along the beach. Small plastic jigs and spoons are the preferred bait, providing fast and furious action on light tackle. Large redfish are still holding around the North Jetty and along the Port Canaveral buoy line as well as the inlet passes of Ponce De Leon and Sebastian Inlet, so try bouncing live pinfish or finger mullet along the bottom during the outgoing tide.

If you prefer to fish in deeper water, there were reports of good numbers of kingfish, barracuda, and sharks showing up on 8A, and other near-shore reefs and wrecks. These fish were caught slow trolling live mullet and pogies on steel kingfish rigs.

On a side note, if you are looking for a gift for the person who has everything, Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters has gift certificates for full and half day charters available for a limited time offering 50.00 dollars off the standard rates. When paid in advance, these certificates are good for one year and can accommodate up to three angler.

As always, if you need information or have questions, please contact me.

Good luck and good fishing,

Captain Tom Van Horn
407-416-1187  on the water
http://www.irl-fishing.com

For all you outdoor shopping needs, visit Mosquito Creek outdoors at www.mosquitocreek.com

Panhandle Fishing Report 11-5-2010

Report for 11/05/2010

Salt Water


PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE AND INSHORE
Red Snapper weekends are a success! Anglers taking advantage of the re-opening have been rewarded with their limit of big fish. The sixteen inch size limit isn’t a problem either, more often than not anglers are reporting that they have caught some of the largest snapper ever. However, the weekend warriors fishing the close to shore wrecks report a great bite but overall sizes are smaller than our anglers fishing in deeper waters. Black Snapper, Amberjack, and Triggerfish are also biting well over these deep water wreck and reefs. King Mackerel are still around and again this week the clue you’re looking for is bait fish and birds.
Flounder catches are steadily improving along the forgotten coast. Anglers are reporting a consistent bite thorough out the bay and shore fishermen are doing particularly well beneath the George Tapper Bridge and its surrounds.
Speckled trout activity is changing with the smaller trout beginning to start their migrations into the creeks and bayous while the larger fish are hanging tight on the flats. Early in the morning still remains your best bet and nothing gets the blood flowing like using top water plugs. Fish early and be home for brunch.



PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND INSHORE
Not much Red snapper season left now but there are plenty of big snapper being caught. They are of course hitting cut bait as well as live, but jigging for them is also productive and a lot of fun. The Red snapper season is now thru Nov. twenty first on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. Some very nice Gag grouper have been caught on those offshore numbers that are pretty deep say 120 feet plus. Black snapper are present and accounted for on the wrecks and reefs, and can help you to fill the box, especially on those non Red snapper days. Amberjack have almost become a nuisance on the bridge spans, but they can definitely be a nice addition to the box. Trigger fish, Beeliners and Seabass have been showing up in numbers and they love a chunk of squid. Closer inshore some reports of Flounder showing up so don't forget to fish the outer edges of your favorite inshore spot. Even though we are staring down a fall back for daylight savings time, there are still a lot of King mackerel being caught! Not your usual November target.

ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
More and more Flounder getting caught, their fall migration is in motion. Speckled trout and Redfish are being sight fished in the flats early in the morning and were hitting everything from topwater plugs to live baits. Have not yet seen the fall run start for Reds, but it should not be long. Please don't forget these fall runs are when these fish spawn so handle them accordingly. A true sportsman knows how to release them quickly and with as little injury as possible. The oversize Reds can produce millions of eggs so they are the suppliers of our future "epic fishing trips". Some very big late season Spanish mackerel to be found. They will of course hit a Gotcha plug or spoon as well as live bait. Either use heavy mono (50 lb.) or wire to prevent getting bit off.

PANAMA CITY BEACH SURF & PIER
There have been some very good King mackerel catches lately and the pier tournaments have been a lot of fun. Flounder, Spanish and Pompano have graced some of the lucky angler's hooks. Plenty of wind to stir up the action in the past week. Surf fishers have had some nice Flounder and Pompano to show for their efforts. They are taking advantage of the fact that there are less swimmers and jet skis scaring off fish. Plus cooler water brings with it Flounder and Pompano. Grab a sand spike and go claim your spot, the beach is public don't let anyone tell you different.

DESTIN
Fishing is still great as we enter November. Remember that we still have red snapper for the first 3 weekends of November on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Bottom fishing will be good for Triggers, Mingos, Red Snapper, Grouper and Amberjack well into the end of the month. Kings are definitely still biting on most inshore reefs. In the bay, plenty of Trout on the east end, Reds, Sheephead and Black Drum around the jetties, Destin Bridge and Mid Bay Bridge. White Trout are around the Shilimar and Cinco Bayou Bridges along with Flounder in the harbor. On the pier, a few Kings, Spanish, Pompano and Reds are still biting. In the surf, Pompano and Whiting and a few really big Reds will be caught all month. On the jetties, expect Reds, Blues, Sheephead and maybe a occasional Pompano.

Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              850-234-2621      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, FL 32408
www.halfhitch.com

Fishing Report prepared by Half Hitch Tackle Staff.

The Captains Corner Fishing Report is provided by local charter captains and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Half Hitch Tackle.

This report is dedicated to the memory of Al Hubbard.
Al Hubbard was a field editor for Florida Sportsman magazine, an outdoor writer for the News Herald and a board member of the Florida Outdoor Writer's Association.
Mr. Hubbard was also the owner of Al's Outdoors Outfitting Services.

Jensen Beach Fishing Report 11-5-2010

Starting at the beach, it has been a great week with a long catch list and the best part is any time you showed up there was fish. Plenty of Blues, Whiting, Croaker, Pompano, Mac’s and a few more were there and this was all day.  Blues were there through out the day, spoons and cut bait top the bait list and the Mac’s and Jacks were there if the Blues missed the bait.  Anglers that preferred the Whiting and Croaker found plenty at their toes, the Blues kept them on the edge most of the day.  With all the sand fleas on the beach you know the Pompano would be there. We reported lots of small Pompano over the past few weeks and now here come the keepers, do not forget the ice. Most interesting was the time, any time, depending on your location at some point they would be there, lots of fish all week and a seven foot rod kept you in the game.
Off shore it was 85’ of water not 185’ or 285’ it was 85’ of water the “action zone”. All the east wind we have had all week will only blow every thing to us not away. We had good catches of nice size Dolphin, twenty pound class fish, not sure what happened to the Sails, a few not to many but the Kings did not disappoint me fifteen pound fish and a good bite of them.  Anglers trolling ballyhoo found plenty of fish to keep busy as long as they stayed inside 100 feet of water.  Rips and flotsam and weed lines, there was no reason to go deeper, strong east wind early in the week trailing off but always east. Muttons continue to keep the bottom anglers busy from 40’ but the AJ’s were thick, good size fish pulling real hard, sardines were favored.
In shore the Trout season is closed, so they will be hitting any thing thrown.  November and all of December the Trout will get a break, one can still catch but you can not keep, time to take the barbs off the hooks because you and I both know it will be all big Trout, have your camera ready.  Red fish, slot Snook and Flounder will be the target if you can keep the pesky Trout away.  Red Fish just seem to like the west side of the Indian River, yes you catch them on the east side but the west, around the docks is their favored location, along with some slot size Snook, early is the prime time into mid morning, top water, gold spoons, live shrimp and soft rubber will find them if you can keep those pesky Trout away.  Flounder anywhere you find a hole in the grass or the drop of a channel edge, fish the drop, almost to the rise.  Shrimp on a jig head, just slide your bait across the bottom, they hit hard so do not loose you grip. This week end in Ft Pierce is the SKA nationals, lots of boats, lots going on, stop up………………………..Henry

Snook Nook Bait & Tackle
3595 NE Indian River Drive
Jensen Beach, FL
(Just South of the Jensen Causeway)
(772)-334-2145 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (772)-334-2145      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
(Since 1949)
E-Mail: henry@snooknook.net
www.snooknook.net   

Sebastian Inlet Fisjing Report 11-2010

Sebastian Inlet, Beaches & Offshore


   Is that a taste of fall in the air that I am feeling?  Well, here in Florida that is as close as we are going to get.  November is upon us, and for people that fish it usually means eating too much at Thanksgiving and the Flounder run at Sebastian Inlet.  That’s right this is the month to start fishing for the flatties.  A good number of the smaller Gulf Flounder, AKA: Three Spots, have been moving in the Inlet over the past few weeks and are still going strong.

  Each passing cold front should bring more flounder out of the river.  There have already been reports of a few bruisers caught, and these reports should increase later in the month.  One thing that is for certain when the doormats start biting the finger mullet becomes scarce.  Finding the right sized mullet can be the hardest part of flounder fishing.  If this is the case then try other baits like Mud Minnows or Shrimp.

  The best flounder rigs consist of a short 10” mono leader, swivel on one end and a khale style hook on the other.  Attach a sliding egg weight or split shot above the swivel on your main line and that is all the weight needed.  The ideal rig is to use just enough weight to hold bottom.  Key times to fish for Flounder, if you only have a few hours to kill, are the slack tides.  Flounder like to get up and move around during periods of slower water.  Being a flat fish they are not very streamlined swimmers and it is a bit of a challenge for them to swim into currents.

     Whitey’s is holding their annual Flounder tournament again this year.  Entrance fee is $10 per angler with a 100% payout of all entry fees.  The winnings will be split 50%, 30% and 20% for places first through third.  You can sing up at Whitey’s at any time between now and the close of business on December 31, 2010.  All results through the tournament will be posted on the website at whiteysonline.com. So if you think you are a force to be reckoned with when it comes to catching Flounder, then it is time you put your money where your mouth is and sign up.

     With Snook season in full swing there is a lot of Fisherman targeting the Linesiders at the Inlet.  Bucktails, jigs and diving plugs have been producing a good number of fish at night.  Live shrimp, pinfish and croakers have been the best bet recently.  Boats drifting the fenders at night have been producing a lot of fish with the occasional whopper redfish as well.  Fish should be moving in preparing for winter and fattening up.  Get down there before it gets too cold for them.

  Another prime species to target this month is the Pompano in the surf.  The Pompano are migrating south for the winter and if you can intercept them it can be a heated morning on the beach.  Use a double drop Pompano rig, with a pyramid sinker for weight and bait the hooks with sand fleas, clams or shrimp.  Last year the Sand fleas were almost impossible to find and where they went no one knows. So far this year there have been a few pods showing up along the surf line, although they are small…. Which I guess is better than nothing!

  With any good surf fishing comes the Bluefish. They can be a blast to catch throwing spoons or large poppers while waiting for the next Pompano to bite.  Look for diving birds or fish busting the surface and target these areas.  Bluefish can be pretty good table fare if handled correctly, bleed them out and clean them ASAP.  If you like smoked fish they are the perfect candidates.  Bluefish do not freeze well and are better fresh, so only take what you can consume immediately and leave the rest to fight another day.

  The river can be productive this time of year.  With the cooler water fish can remain active all day.  Trout and redfish will remain on the flats and can make for a great day of sight fishing.  Live shrimp are bits of choice along with pigs, pins and mullet.  On the colder days try targeting deeper water or canals where fish lay up for warmth.

  Offshore can produce some excellent Wahoo fishing this month.  Trolling in the deeper water over the cones of the Oculina Bank is a great place to start.  Drag a few heavy weighted lures at a speed just a few knots faster then normal to encourage an impulse reaction by this fast fish.  Any floating structure is a good bet to troll by for dolphin and wahoo.  Sometimes the morning bite can be the best so get up with the sun and hit the water early.

  Fall is also the sailfish migration in the Florida Straits.  Trolled ballyhoo is a great way to find these fish.  If you can locate a good concentration of them, break out the spin tackle and drift back some live baits for light tackle action.

     As usual, check in at Whitey’s for the latest reports of rod bending action.  Don’t forget to sign up for the Flounder tournament while you are there.  Until next month, tight lines!!!!

Whitey's Bait & Tackle
321-724-14409030 S Highway A1a
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
captstovall@whiteysonline.comwww.whiteysonline.com/