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Indian River Lagoon
Capt. Tom Van Horn
January 21, 2007
Indian River Lagoon - Saltwater Fishing Report
Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report
Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, January 20,2007
Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
After reviewing my past fishing archives, I’m please to say fishing in January 2007 has been above average. The warmer weather has the fish behaving in spring and late fall patterns, and the influence of El Nino has generated both hit and miss trips this past week due to varying wind conditions.
My adventures this past week began when Chris Fox from London joined me for a day of fishing on the Lagoon. Chris owns a tackle shop in England, and he was excited about the challenge of catching his first redfish. As usual, the winds were predicted to be east at 5 to 10 knots, but once it was all said and done, 15 to 20 knots was more realistic.
Once we arrived at our fishing destination, the early morning calm conditions displayed tailing redfish right off the bat, and Chris quickly accomplished his goal before the sun peaked above the horizon. As the winds increased and sight fishing conditions diminished, and we switched our attention to a sunken spoil Island and completed our day catching 26 sea trout up to 24-inches. All of the fish were caught throwing nite/glow RipTide Realistic Shrimp with pink tails on a Daiichi Butt Dragger Hook with Woodies Rattle Capsules inserted, and all were released to catch another day.
On Sunday, I have the pleasure on spending a day of paddle fishing in the No-Motor Zone with Sue Cocking who is an outdoor editor for the Miami Herald. Again, the morning started out nice and Sue quickly caught a respectable tailing redfish, but as soon as I released her first redfish the wind picked up and we finished the day catching a good number sea trout blind casting soft plastics.
On Monday, Dick Jones and his good friend Bill joined me for a day of redfish and black drum in the Mosquito Lagoon. Dick is an outdoor writer from North Carolina, and our goal was to catch a couple decent fish and then tour the Mosquito Lagoon Pole Troll Zone for an upcoming article. As it turned out, we couldn’t have planned a more gorgeous morning. The sky was crystal clear and the water was as slick as glass, and we were on multiple schools of tailing redfish as the sky was just getting light. Between the two of them, they scored 4 quality redfish up to 30-inches and 1 nice black drum before 8:30am, and we spent the rest of the morning touring the Mosquito Lagoon.
Well so far things sound like fishing was fairly good, but that was before the cold front slammed us with rain and wind. On Wednesday, I was joined by three hardcore anglers in town from Iowa for the Shot Show. Dusty from Orlando and his two friends Jack and Bill from Iowa, insisted on giving fishing a try even though we faced 20 to 25 knot winds from the north to north east. My plan was to launch at River Breeze Park and stay out of the open water sticking to the backwaters of New Smyrna. This was a great plan for the sake of safety, but it failed miserably in catching fish. After poling in the wind for six hours, we ended up with a total catch of 2 flounder and 1 sea trout.
Also, FYI, the shrimp run is in full swing with reports of 5-gallon limits reached in less than two hours. I have heard good reports from both the Titusville area and Oak Hill, so dust off your nets and hit the water. If you need equipment or information on shrimping, visit Skeeter Lagoons bait shop on garden Street in Titusville.
After receiving a number of reports from shad anglers on the St Johns River, the shad run has been puny thus far. Most of the anglers I’ve talked to this week are reporting catching just a few fish each trip. The water levels are extremely low this year and that may be holding up the run. On a good note, the bi-catch of largemouth bass, brim, and speckled perch have made up the slack from the weak shad run.
In Closing, I’ve listed some of the events and seminars I will be involved in this spring, and if you get a chance come to one of these events and visit, please do.
January 30, 2007 Gander Mountain in Lake Mary, Saltwater Kayak Fishing 101, 7 - 8pm.
February 9,10,11, 17, and 18th;
Bass Pro Shop Spring Classic Orlando
Coastal Angler Magazine’s Traveling Lagoon Booth
10 Saltwater kayak seminars, seminar times have yet to be scheduled.
February 19, 2007 Gander Mountain Lake Mary, Saltwater Kayak Fishing on Florida’s Space Coast, 7 to 8pm.
March 10, 2007 Mosquito Creek Outdoors Conservation Day Event
Apopka Florida
Hook Kids on Fishing Program 10am – 12pm
Free fishing seminars from 12pm –3pm.
Coastal Angler Magazine’s Traveling Lagoon Booth
April 19, 20, 21st Coastal Angler Magazine Boating and Fishing Expo.
Melbourne, Florida
New Products Showcase throughout the event
Braided Fishing Line Tying Clinic
New Products Seminars
As always, if you have any questions or need information, please contact me.
Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn
www.irl-fishing.com
407-416-1187 on the water
407-366-8085 landline
866-790-8081 toll free
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