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Indian River Lagoon
Capt. Tom Van Horn
June 28, 2004
Indian River Lagoon - Saltwater Fishing Report
Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Forecast
Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Forecast, July 2004
Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
Well folks, summertime has officially arrived on the Indian River Lagoon coast, as the mid summer doldrums are currently upon us. It’s also the time of year when tropical weather systems and offshore water temperatures are as predictable as Wall Street. Just when you think you’ve got things figured out, a summer squall will blow in and kick up the seas, or the cold water Labrador Current will move in and shut down the seaward bite. Setting all these possibilities aside, many opportunities for angling adventures exist for us both inshore and offshore of the lagoon coast in July.
Offshore, the yellowfin tuna have been going off, for those who are willing to make the long run east (70 to 140 miles). Last week, Chris Lee set a Port Canaveral record boating a 121-pound yellowfin while fishing aboard the Stream Hunter using cider plugs.
Near-shore, kingfish will be the staple on the reefs and wrecks in 70 to 90 feet of water, with a mixed bag of three, wahoo, dolphin, and an occasional sailfish, thrown in. My preferred method for targeting these species is slow trolling live bait (pogies) on steel stinger rigs dresses with King Duster skirts.
On the Port Canaveral buoy line and along the beaches, an assorted beach bag is available with smoker kings (large king mackerel), silver kings (tarpon), cobia, sharks, and colossal jacks (school busses) all available at any given time. To target these species, focus your attention in areas of bait concentrations. This past week, pods of large tarpon and sharks were located between Patrick AFB and Satellite Beach. As the month progresses, these fish should begin moving north along the beach to their favorite summertime haunt in the forbidden zone off the bight of the Cape.
Out of Ponce Inlet; look for mangrove snappers to be aggregating for the spawn on any hard bottom from 90 to 165 feet of water. The best bite is at night, 3 to 4 days before and after the full moon. Your best bet is to anchor up current and chum these fish up into the water column. Also look for grouper, and amberjacks in the same areas. Thus far, the cold water has not shut down the bite in this area.
In the Port and inlets, Spanish mackerel, summer flounder and mangrove snapper number should remain steady. To target the flounder and snapper, try using Rip Tide’s new realistic shrimp on a ¼ to ½ ounce jig head in the areas of structure and along sandy drop-offs. Cast the jig as close to the structure as possible without getting snagged, and let it sink to the bottom. Once its reached the bottom, slowly drag it back letting it rest every foot or so.
Inshore, July is the best time of the year to catch redfish in shallow water. Large schools have already started forming up, and the sight of 200 feeding redfish is mind-boggling. Once you’ve finished drooling over redfish, look for snook, and top water snapper along mangrove edges, and juvenile tarpon in the creeks, canals and backwaters. In deeper water, look for ladyfish and small trout to be shadowing schools of bay anchovies (glass minnows) under clouds of feeding terns.
In closing, lets remember to be patient and respectful to our fellow anglers while enjoying time on the water during our Nation’s birthday, and lets not forget those overseas fighting for our freedom.
As always, if you have any questions or need information, please contact me.
Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn
[email protected]
www.irl-fishing.com
407-366-8085
866-790-8081 toll free
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