Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report
Capt. Tom Van Horn
December 21, 2013
Indian River Lagoon - Saltwater Fishing Report
Mosquito Creek Outdoors Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, December 20, 2013
By Captain Tom Van Horn
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 to 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 9th, 6:30 p.m., Backcountry Fly Fishing Association meeting at Travle Country Outdoors off of HWy 436 in Altamonte Springs, Florida. For more details visit www.bfaorlando.com.
Thursday, January 16th - Free Shad and Crappie Seminar at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Free Shad and Crappie Seminar at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. "Free Seminars" by Coastal Angler Magazine's Charlie McCullough and Anglers for Conservation's Captains Tom 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.
This Weeks Fishing Report
For starters, let me begin this week's fishing report by wishing each and every one of you a glories and fishful Christmas. We're truly blessed to live in east Central Florida where we enjoy fishing year round and our major concerns during the winter are the UV index and cloudy skies. Please saver this season of joy with your family and friends and spend some time on the water together.
Now for a truly amazing fishing story:
It's been almost fifteen years since I began working as a professional fishing guide on the Indian River Lagoon coast of Florida for which I've had the pleasure of sharing hundreds of very memorable adventures with anglers from around the world. Although catching fish is always our primary objective, it's the experience of enjoying a day on the waters of Central Florida that often stand out in the minds of my clients at the end of the day. Frequently the groups I fish with are either families or close friends enjoying a day on the water together and these adventures often become life long memories. These experiences also serve as opportunities for me to share my knowledge and passions with my clients and you never know where these experiences will carry you or them into the future.
This was the case last week as I once again had the opportunity to fish with Joe Klair from West Palm and his grandson Weston Jefferson. It was around fifteen years ago when I last fished with this duo in the Banana River Lagoon as part of a three boat charter set up by Captains Shawn Foster and Rodney Smith. The occasion was a friendly two day mini tournament for which Joe and Weston won. The fishing was very tough during this two day event, but each day we managed to catch a few nice fish which was all it took.
As you may or may not know, besides guiding, I've proudly served 33-years as a fire fighter for NASA at the Kennedy Space Center where I've enjoyed being a part of America's space program. Well during our two days together fifteen years ago, nine year old Weston expressed an interest in the space program and at the end of our trip I gave him some Space Shuttle crew photos and patches I had in my truck. Well, fifteen years later Joe, now 85, brought Weston back to fish with me as a graduation gift. You see, in May Weston graduates from Georgia Tech with a degree in aerospace engineering, which Joe said is all my fault. In life, you never know how the little things you do will influence the lives of others, and I was both honored and proud to once again have the chance to share a day on the water with Joe and Weston. As you can see from the photos on this page, we were once again successful in accomplishing another lifetime memory, catching three trophy redfish and a black drum.
On the lagoon this past week, a high pressure system and full moon made fishing conditions tough, but we still managed to catch some quality fish. Water levels on the Lagoon are dropping quickly and the water is clearing up setting the stage for some quality sight fishing. Although the high pressure system is moving off to the east in the Atlantic, forecasters are calling for 80 degree temperatures on Christmas day, so be sure to enjoy some time on the water over the holidays.
The American shad are beginning to show up on the St Johns River on cue. This week I received good reports of American shad catches from Charlie McCullough of Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando and Steve Chapman from Fishing Florida Radio Show, so if all else fails, hit the St. Johns River between Lake Monroe and Lake Harney.
Lastly, the Central Florida Shad and Crappie Derby is in full swing. This free three month long event promoted by Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando is great fun fill family affair and well worth you time to register and participate.
In closing if you live in Central Florida, do not miss the great holiday sales at Mosquito Creek Outdoors. Besides 20 percent off of all fishing tackle and equipment there are great sales prices on outdoor apparel as well.
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 Mosquito Creek Outdoors on line at http://www.mosquitocreek.com and order that special holiday gift.
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