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Indian River Lagoon
Capt. Tom Van Horn
January 24, 2003
Indian River Lagoon - Saltwater Fishing Report
Indian Lagoon Coast Fishing Report
Indian Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, January 24, 2003
Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
My obsession for fishing and the outdoors was overwhelming these past two weeks as my course drew me away from the water. Instead, my focus was diverted to my attachment with Coastal Angler Magazine at both the Stuart and Daytona Beach Boat Shows. These shows are essential to communicate the importance of conservation and stewardship of the Indian Lagoon system, and they proved to be an extremely successful endeavor.
I’m constantly amazed at the number of people visiting and living in central Florida who have never taken a close look at what the lagoon offers. Their lives take them over it’s waters on concrete causeways, they breath in it’s salty mist as they pass, yet in life’s haste, they haven’t a clue about it’s importance, or that the lagoon even exist. On the other hand, I meet many like myself who are passionate about their feelings for the lagoon, and they value and respect what nature has provided for our enjoyment. They can’t wait for the weekend to roll around, so they can return to its waters. These shows allow me to communicate with both, teaching some and learning from others. They also allow me an opportunity to see old friends and acquaintances, and make new ones, which is always my favorite part.
The weather here lately has not been conducive to angling or boating, and it looks like this week will not be any better. Saturday and Sunday were great days for a boat show, fore even the hardcore anglers weren’t about to venture out onto the water. Monday and Tuesday were nicer days with good reports of cold-water species taken. Today, an extreme cold weather system will be slamming the IRL with some of the coldest temperatures experienced in central Florida in many years. With temperatures predicted in the low to upper twenties, this system could devastate warm water species like snook, tarpon, jacks, and sea turtles, killing most. It will also send the remaining species deeper in search of warmer waters (deeper holes and residential canals). Some of the cold-water species worth targeting are pompano, sheepshead, whiting, black drum, blues, and Spanish mackerel.
Your best bet for trout and redfish is to work the residential canals using live shrimp, or slow trolling red and white DOA Terror Eyes. Pompano have been concentrated in the Port Canaveral turn basins, with schools moving along the deeper edges of the ship channel. Yellow and chartreuse pompano jigs tipped with clam have been producing well. For sheepshead and whiting, fish around structure with fiddler crabs and shrimp.
If you plan on fishing this week, bundle up. I think I’ll clean up my tackle and work on the boat. When it warms up and the wind settles, the fish will be hungry. As always, if you need information or have questions, please contact me.
Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn
www.irl-fishing.com
[email protected]
1-866-790-8081
407-366-8085
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