 |
Central Indian River Lagoon
Capt. Ron Bielefeld
January 28, 2001
Indian River Lagoon - Saltwater Fishing Report
Here fishy fishy fishy!
This week on the Indian and Sebastian River was a mixed bag . Mother nature teased us for just 2 days with air temps in the 80s and water temps climbing to near 70. The trout turned on for one afternoon on the Indian River as the water temps climbed. I caught numerous fish, many small, but a few in the 20 inch range. The fish took jerk baits fished slow in 2 feet of water on long casts far from the boat. The cold water in combination with water clarity I have never seen before in the Sebastian area has made the fish very spooky. I am not used to fishing such clear water here, and I do not believe the fish are used to maneuvering the River under the watchful eye of everything imaginable. Then the bottom fell out with plummeting temps and the winds at gale force. Hey, we even had some rain. If you can call the wet stuff that fell on my yard rain. Anyway, the bottom fell out of the Indian River fishing as well. Water temps are in the low 50s and small trout are in 5-6 feet of water and will hit live shrimp. But these fish are very small. Food for the big trout. Larger fish are in shallower water but they will not even look at a bait. If any of you can get them to hit let me know. I am willing to learn. Frustrating!
The evening bite on the Sebastian River has been spectacular for ladyfish, jacks, and a few tarpon. A few snook and reds also are active in the backcountry of the Sebastian. The ladyfish and jacks are hitting jigs early, and as the water warms toward evening, are turning on to top-water plugs. 40-50 fish afternoons have not been uncommon. Although these species are not as popular as reds and trout, they fight like gangbusters and I guarantee your arms will be hurting after an afternoon of fighting these fish. I will put a 15 lb jack up against a 15 lb red any day for a fight! And the lady fish, they put on quite a show above the water. The tarpon have been taking dead mullet and a few have chased top-water baits in the evening just before dark. The tarpon are 15 to 20 lbs. I know I have said it before, but tarpon on top-water, well, lets just say it may be as close to heaven that there is on earth.
The temps are supposed to moderate the next few days. If water temps start approaching the 70 degree mark, watch out, the trout and reds should go nuts. They better, they must be hungry.
I have not been fishing the Mosquito Lagoon much this winter, but it appears from the fishing reports I have been reading that the reds and trout have been far more active during these cold times on the Mosquito than on the Indian River lagoon. Given my biological training I understand there is a difference in the habitat in the 2 areas, which may account for some differences in behavior, but I also believe there is little chance of a genetic difference in the fish in the 2 areas. Given this, I would expect the fish to act quite a bit alike. I will have to look into this a bit more to satisfy my curiosity. Any body who thinks they understand this difference let me know.
Until next week, Tight-Lines everybody!
Sincerely, Capt. Ron.
More Fishing Reports:
|
|
|
|
