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Indian River Lagoon
Capt. Tom Van Horn
January 30, 2004
Indian River Lagoon - Saltwater Fishing Report
Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Forecast
Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Forecast, February 2004
Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
Arduous is the best way to describe fishing conditions on the Indian River Lagoon Coast in January and February. Passing cold fronts swing through Florida on a routine basis, bringing blustery northeasterly winds, higher barometric pressure, and cooler temperatures with them. These shifting conditions complicate angling by kicking up the seas, reducing water clarity in some locations, and dropping water temperatures. When the front passes, offshore waters become unfishable, and inshore anglers are forced to seek out protected shorelines and backwater canals.
As this cycle of weather progresses and high pressure settles in, fishing conditions can shift from meager to magnificent a mater of days. One sign I watch for is the development of fog in the early morning hours. Rising humidly levels are an indication of warmer temperatures, falling barometer, and a southeasterly wind shift. These factors provide ideal weather for fishing the flats and running offshore once the fog burns off. When the next approaching front moves closer, the winds will begin to back down to the south and eventually shift to the west just before the front hits. As a general rule, the stronger the front, the more intense wind speed and shifts will be and always anticipate the worst if you planning on being on the water when the front pusses through. All of this information falls in the nice to know category if you are one of the lucky people who can pick their days on the water, but for most of us, the best day to fish is whenever you have a chance.
Another interesting point to remember when fishing inshore is, falling water temperatures force most fish, bait included, to seek deeper locations in search the warmest water they can find, and they become very sluggish. As the sun warms the water, all it takes is a degree or two change, the fish will begin to move into the shallow flats to feed. Warming water temperatures combined with sunny spring days, and crystal clear water, make February one of the best months to site fish for tailing redfish, large sea trout, and black drum on the lagoon flats. Also, now is the time to target tailing black drum in the Banana River Lagoon “No Motor Zone”. For larger sea trout, fish at first light, sunset, or at night with natural baits, and target areas where mangrove edges, docks, and other structure are adjacent to deep water dredge holes or canals. These same areas will also hold concentrations of small trout, which can be caught throughout the day on small jigs and shrimp imitation baits like Rip-tides Realistic Shrimp fished very slowly along the bottom. On the sunny afternoons, it is not uncommon to find redfish and trout holding in the sand pockets within the shallow flats where water temperatures raise quickly and the wind lay down just before dark.
Offshore, kingfish are still present along the inshore reefs and wrecks, and they will remain there as long as the water temperature stays above 68 degrees. When targeting kings, focus on the areas of 8A reef, Pelican Flats, and Bethel Shoals to the south. Also look for cobia and amberjack to be present on the inshore wrecks like the Carol Lee, Dutch, and Sub Wreck out of Port Canaveral. Additionally, live bait is tough to find this time of year, so always carry a box of frozen Spanish sardines with you as backup.
Near-shore, look for tripletail concentrations to improve greatly along the Port Canaveral buoy line and under floating weeds and debris, and for cobia to move in shadowing manta rays if the surface water temperatures reach the upper sixties. Now is also the time for shore fisherman to target pompano, bluefish, weakfish, small black drum, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel and whiting in the surf and larger redfish and flounder around the inlets and jetties.
Remember when planning a fishing trip in February, keep a close eye on the cycle of weather, and fishing on our worst days is better than chipping a hole in the ice and worrying about snow snakes crawling up your backside when you sit down.
As always, if you have any questions on need information, please contact me.
Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn
www.irl-fishing.com
[email protected]
407-366-8085 office
407-416-1187 on the water
If you would like to be added to Captain Tom’s mailing list reply to [email protected]
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