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Indian River Lagoon
Capt. Tom Van Horn
October 10, 2003
Indian River Lagoon - Saltwater Fishing Report
Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report
Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, October 10, 2003
Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
Large easterly swells, higher than normal lunar tides, and the earth seasonal rotation have combined forces increasing water levels on the inshore areas of the Indian River Lagoon System. These phenomena have allowed anglers and fish to venture into areas that were inaccessible earlier this year. It has also created cloudy water conditions in many areas.
Several anglers are reporting fiddler crabs in the stomachs of slot redfish taken in the Mosquito Lagoon and Northern IRL, a sign the reds are feeding in skinny water close to the shoreline. Also, the full moon is upon us, so fish either at night or at first light for best results.
This past week I fished both in the Banana River Lagoon, and in Port Canaveral with varying degrees of success. My first charter was on Monday with Debbie, Bob, and Bobby Zinmaster of Orlando, and we targeted the area of Port Canaveral hoping to take advantage of the mullet run. You couldn’t have asked for a nicer day with perfect weather and a ton of bait in the water, but someone forgot to tell the fish. We fished hard all morning managing only a few small flounder. We did have some larger fish on, only to lose them for various reasons. The highlight of the day was when Bobby hooked a large jack taking us on an odyssey of the underside of the Canaveral east docks, but somehow we still manager to land the fish.
My next adventure was with Paul Byrd and his father Bill, and it led us into the backwaters of the Thousand Islands area of the Banana River Lagoon in search of spotted sea trout. Again the weather was nice, but this time the fish were in a playful mood. We started throwing chug bugs at first light, and it was one fish after another for the next two hours. None of the fish we caught were monsters, but it was fun nonetheless.
Yesterday, it was back to the Port for a day of adventure with Brian Gruber and Dan Fields, both old fishing friends from way back. We launched again before first light, and headed out to the north jetty to catch the high tide. To my surprise, the finger mullet were gone, and the larger fish were few and far between. I know from past experiences, during the bait migration finger mullet travel south in waves, and we most certainly were in the lull. Our best action came on the falling tide fishing the white water break of the north jetty, catching several upper slot reds, short snook, and one nice black drum. It was a tough day, but hard fishing and persistence rewarded us in the end with some nice fish.
As for next week, I will be off the water as my Maverick is repowered. Also, if you’re going to the Florida Sportsman Show in Orlando on Saturday, come see me at the Florida Guides Association booth.
As always, if you have questions or need information, please contact me.
Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn
www.irl-fishing.com
[email protected]
407-366-8085
407-416-1187 on the water
1 866-790-8081 toll free
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