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Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Forecast, January 2014

Capt. Tom Van Horn
December 31, 2013
Indian River Lagoon - Saltwater Fishing Report

Mosquito Creek Outdoors Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Forecast, January 2014

By Captain Tom Van Horn

January's Events and Seminars:

Tuesday, January 7th - 7 -9 p.m., Orlando Kayak Fishing Club Meeting in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 203 W. First Street, Apopka, Florida 32703. For more details visit http://www.orlandokayakfishingclub.com

Wednesday, January 8th - 7 - 9 p.m., Central Florida's Bass Anglers Club Meeting in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 203 W. First Street, Apopka, Florida 32703. For more details visit http://www.mosquitocreek.com

Thursday, January 16, 2014 - Free Shad and Crappie Workshop at Mosquito Creek Outdoors,6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

"Free Seminars" Coastal Angler Magazine's Charlie McCullough and Anglers for Conservation's CaptainsTom Van Horn and Chris Myers - learn what you need to know to catch shad and crappie in the Orlando area and see how easy it is to have fun on the water. Tips and techniques will include fly, casting, trolling, and wading for both shad and crappie.

Saturday, January 18th - C. A. Richardson's Flats Class - 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p. m. in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outback, 203 W First St., Apopka, Florida 32703. For only a $59 tuition fee! You'll receive 4.5 hours of professional instruction from Captain C.A. Richardson A premium lure package, 20 Tips from Flats Class (cheat sheet), snacks & beverages plus raffle prizes for select tackle. Don't miss your chance to "Learn what the Pros Know".

Saturday, February 1st - Hook Kids on Fishing Program's Train the Trainer Seminar, 10 a.m. -1 p.m. Come join the Orlando Chapter of Anglers for Conservation (AFC) to learn about becoming a volunteer for the 2014 Hook Kids on Fishing Programs. The AFC Orlando Chapter has five Hook Kids on Fishing Programs scheduled in 2014 and need your assistance. The event will be held in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 203 W. First Street, Apopka, Florida 32703 and lunch is catered by Fish on Fire.

Saturday, February 8, 2014 - Free Shad Rally at Lou Anne's Bait House in Geneva, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., on Hwy 46 in Geneva next to C.S. Lee Boat Ramp and Jolly Gator Fish Camp. "Free Seminar" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, and 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. Visit www.cfshadderby.com for details.

January's Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Outlook

I would like to begin my forecast by wishing all of you a happy and prosperous New Year. Life as a fishing guide on the east central coast of Florida was very good to me in 2013, filled with blessing, opportunities and great fishing. Life comes easy when you love your work and sharing your passion and adventures on the water with others.

Starting with my all-time favorite, the American shad run on the upper St. Johns River has begun and should be swinging into full gear by mid-January. And if this year's run is anything close to what we had last year, look out for Captain Tom and Three Quarter Time when you are passing through shad alley. If you have never tried shad fishing and would like to learn, be sure to attend my free American shad workshop at Mosquito Creek Outdoors in Apopka on the evening of January 16th. During the peak of the run last year we scored hundred fish days on both fly and spin and the run is great fun for experienced anglers and beginners alike. Also, if you enjoy a fresh fish dinner once in a while, the specked perch (crappie) bite has been and will continue to improve in all of the big lakes, rivers and creeks in Central Florida.

As water levels and temperatures on the Lagoon drop, clear and shallow conditions on the inshore flats will make sight fishing the best we will see all year. Mullet and other finfish have migrated out of the area for the winter, so anglers should switch to smaller shrimp and crabs and a slower presentation. When targeting inshore species during the colder months, I like to downsize my lures and fish with a shrimp or crab imitation baits like the DOA Shrimp and Crab combined with a Woodie's Rattle Hook or Rattle Jig to add the element of sound.

On the Banana River No-Motor Zone, January and February are key months for targeting tailing black drum. For the past several years the black drum populations have expanded on our lagoons, so I'm eager to see how they show up in the NMZ and to catch a few nice ones on fly. When casting to tailing black drum on the shallow flats, present you fly as closely as possible without spooking the fish and then leave it lying on the bottom. Take up as much slack as possible without moving the fly and then strip set as soon as you feel the fish.

Now is also the time for surf anglers to target pompano, bluefish, weakfish, small black drum, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel and whiting off of the beaches and larger redfish and flounder around the inlets of Ponce De Leon, Port Canaveral and Sebastian.

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
[email protected]
407-416-1187

Visit www.mosquitocreek.com for all of your outdoor equipment needs, it's where your adventure begins!

More Fishing Reports:

 

Light tackle saltwater fishing guide service on Florida's east central coast. Come fish the Mosquito Lagoon, the Indian River Lagoon and the Banana River Lagoon for redfish, sea trout, snook, tarpon and much more, all less than one hour frome the Orlando theme parks.

Contact Info:

Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
540 Lake Lenelle Drive
Chuluota, FL 32766
Phone: 407-416-1187
Alt. Phone: 407-366-8085
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