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\n Ingman Marine & Captain Ted's Tackle, Only the Best!

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Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report

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Well folks, after reviewing our January weather, the average wind speeds for the month were 16 knots. Finding a nice day to fish last month was a chore and this past week wasn't any better. To make matters worse, this coming weekend will be blown out offshore with winds gusting up to 20 knots on Saturday and 15 knots on Sunday. Another event closing down the south end of the Mosquito Lagoon and the down range safety zones offshore is the Space Shuttle Launch scheduled for 4 am Sunday morning. On last check the weather was go for launch, so it might be worth getting up and watching the shuttle turn night into day. Additionally, both Monday and Tuesday look like good days to fish weather wise.
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\nTough weather kept me off of the Lagoon this past week, but I did hear some reports of both Redfish and Sea Trout catches. Everyone I've talked to this week has located a good number of fish, but they still haven't started to eat well since the freeze. Most anglers are catching a few fish, mostly smaller ones, and the DOA Shrimp has been the bait of choice.
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\nWhile I didn't make a saltwater trip last week, I did manage to do some American Shad fishing on the St Johns River. The water level on the river increased by 11 inches after last weeks rains, and it is a good 30 inches higher than it was at this time last year. With the higher water the Shad haven't been rolling on the surface, so anglers have resorted to blind casting and trolling in the deeper bends and holes in the river with some success. Although the bite hasn't kicked in, we did see improvements over last week, and on one trip I managed three nice Americans on fly. Also, the Crappie fishing has been good with a lot of limits being caught. So if the wind is too much for the lagoon this weekend, you might consider the St. Johns as an alternative.
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\nOne last word of warning, it doesn't happen to me very often, but I did stumble across a rather large cotton mouth this week while walking the shoreline of the St. Johns. Luckily I spotted him sunning himself, and made sure to maintain a respectable distance as I passed. When wading and walking along our fresh water wetlands, it's prudent to mind your step and keep a sharp eye out for snakes. If you do encounter one, simple keep your distance, and what ever you do, don't mess with it.
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\nAlso, be sure to check out the new February addition of Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando in print and online for free at www.coastalanglermagazine.com.
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\nAs always, if you have questions or need information, please contact me.
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\nGood luck and good fishing,
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\nCaptain Tom Van Horn
\nMosquito Coast Fishing Charters and Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando
\ncaptain@irl-fishing.com
\nwww.irl-fishing.com
\n407-366-8085 landline
\n407-416-1187 on the water
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\nFor all you outdoor shopping needs, visit Mosquito Creek Outdoors at www.mosquitocreekoutdoors.com.\n


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Port Canaveral Offshore

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We knew seas were going to be rough, but a week of poor offshore conditions, and a weeks vacation for my guest from Canada coming to an end made us decide to rough it. My two guests are used to fishing on the Great Lakes, so they were not concerned with high seas. They just wanted to catch fish! We left Port Canaveral at 6:30 am, and made our way out to Pelican Flats in 3-4' choppy seas. We anchored up and started catching right away. We ran more anchor line than normal with the seas building, and our swing was not keeping us over our mark, but the fish still took the bait. Large Triggerfish were the first catch. We caught a good number of legal Triggers, but only kept 7 large ones. Sea Bass were not as numerous this trip as recent trips, but 10 good ones were kept. The Atlantic Sharpnose Shark were at the reef, and my guest really wanted the fight more than the catch, and these Sharks always put up a good fight for their size. We caught many, and kept our limit of 3. We caught 6 nice Red Snapper, with 4 that would have been keepers from 20 to 27" in length, and the 2 others at 17 and 18". My mouth was watering at the sight of them, though it quickly turned to a sour taste with the fish going back into the water. I can only imagine how quickly their numbers will multiply, like in the Gulf, to the point where they become a nuisance! Several Vermillion Snapper were also caught and released. With us being the only boat out, until a lone party boat showed up, the birds were around the boat like vultures! This made our keeping flatlines out a problem, with a few birds diving deep into the water to get out bait. We pulled anchor at 3:00 pm with sea's now close to 6' and made the return to Port.
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\nIt will be nice to have seas back to 2 foot again, and do fishing without having to prop yourself against the side of the boat to keep balanced while fishing.
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\nCaptain Henry
\n"Wile E. Coyote"
\nACME Ventures Fishing
\nwww.ACME-Ventures-Fishing.com
\n321-794-7955\n


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South Indian River Fishing Report

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Other than quite windy, it has been pretty nice out lately. Weekly weather patterns have set in, so you have many windy days and one or two that are calmer. With another front closing in this weekend, it will be anther challenge to get out fishing.
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\nWe did manage to get out this week on one those calmer days. After having to cancel the week before, Paul Styspeck made it back from Orlando and we found a good day to get out on the water. As soon as we made it to the first spot, we didn't need to move for most of the morning. The Trout were once again having a field day on the flats. About forty fish later, it was time to move on. Paul caught more Trout than we could try to count. All were slot size or bigger. Most were in the 18 - 22 inch range. There were a few Jacks and Ladyfish mixed in, but the majority were nice, healthy Trout. Shallow running Mirrolures worked good to begin the morning, but the DOA CAL jerk baits kept the reels busy most of the time. Our best fishing lately has been in two to four feet of water on the grass flats.
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\nIt was too windy on the flats for us to sight fish any Redfish, but they are out there in the shallows. Live shrimp, DOA shrimp or CAL jerk baits can find them when you can fish some of the better flats. Paul even caught a small Snook. First one I have seen since the cold weather left us. It was nice to see one that made it! We should have a good spring this year with Trout and Redfish.
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\nBridges continue to give up Sand Perch, Black Drum and sheephead. Live or dead shrimp works best. Bluefish are around the river and inlet. Work a silver spoon or anything shiny around the inlet and jetties. The Ladyfish and Jacks are back to their usual antics on the flats. You will probably find quite a few around the river now. It has been nice to see the fishing continue to improve after the cold winter we have experienced so far.
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\nI lost a fishing partner this week. Tom Hull was a cousin and good friend who frequently drove down to help me scout out fishing areas on the river. After a battle with cancer most of last year, he passed away quietly. I will miss a good fishing buddy.
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\nRemember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!
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\nGood Fishing & Be Safe!
\nCaptain Charlie Conner
\nwww.fishtalescharter.com
\ncaptaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
\n772-284-3852
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Paul with a few of his many Trout this week.
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\n"Paul


\n"Paul


\n"Paul


\n"Paul
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Dodging The Weather

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This time of year is hands down the best time to fish the Lagoon because of the crystal clear water, schooling Redfish, and sometimes cooler but nice weather. But you do have to keep in mind that we are still recieving at least one front a week so plan your trips around the weather. The water temp is cool enough that getting on the water in the late morning is advised. Look for the Redfish to be holding on large sand holes, sand bars, and mud flats. The Trout on the other hand can be found in the deeper holes and on the shallow flats later in the day. Live shrimp and soft plastics are the go to baits for this time of year with a slow retreive.
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\nCaptain Patrick Rood
\nspotntailcharters.com
\n386-566-1394\n


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Ft. Pierce Inshore - Offshore Report

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INSHORE

The inshore fishing has been okay this week with a good Trout bite down around Middle Cove with most of the fish taking a soft plastic bait or a live shrimp. Try fishing the deeper edges of the flats. I also got reports of some Redfish that were to the north in the river around the Round Island area and that they were in very shallow water and also very easily spooked. There were a couple of Reds caught and they were caught by anglers free lining a live shrimp. The bottom fishing remains steady for Sand Perch, Sheepshead, Snapper and a few Croakers. Try around the bridges and use a live shrimp for the best results. There is still a good number of Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish in the Ft. Pierce Inlet and they are taking spoons.
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OFFSHORE

The conditions haven't been that great this week but some of the bigger boats venture out on the nicer days and reported some Sailfish and Dolphin action in 150 to 180 feet of water and they were taking Ballyhoo. I also had reports of some Rays passing thru and they were holding Cobia. Your best bet is to try a Cobia Slayer jig. Along the beaches look for Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Whiting and a few Pompano.
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JUNIOR TEEN ANGLERS

This Saturday is the next scheduled shore fishing tournament for the Junior Teen Anglers. They meet at Harbour Pointe Park and fish from 9 to 11am. If you would like more info on Junior Teen Anglers for the 5 to 11 age group or for Teen Anglers for the 12 to 18 age group -- just go to the web at www.teenanglers.org or you can call 772-201-5773.
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\nIf you would like to report a catch you can e-mail me at cward11605@aol.com or call me at 772-201-5770. You can also reach me on the web at www.captjoeward.com
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\nCapt. Joe Ward
\nCapt. Joe's River Charters\n


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Sykes Creek, Port Canaveral

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Sykes Creek has some gator Trout hanging up in skinny as the sun comes up. Have taken them on slow moving top water and also Zoom 7" Fluke bait hooked weedless with a half of a pencil lead weight and a plastic rattle in the head. Use the "Smoking Shad" color.
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\nPort Canaveral has Snook cruising back in along the rocks (again in very shallow water). I watched them starting to feel their oats inside of the locks, occasionally darting after bait when the mood struck. They're beginning to stack up. I might try the west end of the locks (river side) around the concrete wall, North side.\n


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