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Indian River Lagoon
Capt. Tom Van Horn
July 20, 2007
Indian River Lagoon - Saltwater Fishing Report
Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report
Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, July 19, 2007
Complements of Mosquito Creek Outdoors, Apopka Florida
Never before have so many anglers been located in the desert at one time. Such was the case last week when hundreds of tackle industry manufactures, representatives and thousands of anglers assembled for the American Sports Fishing Association’s 50th ICAST Fishing Trade Show in Las Vegas. ICAST is the premier event where fishing tackle manufactures break out their new products for the year, and there is something to be said for an industry where innovation matches one’s desire to catch fish. Sandi and I arrived in Vegas on Tuesday, and we spent the next three days checking out all of the new stuff destine for the shelves of tackle shops, meeting with industry experts, and visiting with old friends. Besides having fun in Vegas, I did manage a few adventures on the water this week where the catching was almost as hot as the afternoon sun.
My first adventure consisted of a memorable day with my good friend Jeff Shapiro and his 10-year-old son Matt. Our day started when we located a school of ladyfish working over bay anchovies (glass minnows) in deeper water, and ended with Matt beating his dad by catching 14 fish to 2, including 5 different species and 2 redfish up to 33 inches.
Currently, the open waters of the Indian River Lagoon are loaded with schools of glass minnows with ladyfish and gaff top sail catfish feeding on the surface and both spotted and silver trout underneath. To locate the schools, simply watch for terns, pelicans, and seagulls diving, and use top water plugs like the Rip-Roller or Chug Bug on the surface, and RipTide Screw Jigs and 3 inch Mullet underneath. Also, these fish are great fun on a fly rod using surface poppers.
On my second charter, Keith and Rob Lozott joined me, and we began by targeting sea trout with top water plugs. After only catching a few small trout, we shifted gears and moved into the deeper edge of the flat and quickly located tailing redfish. The redfish were tailing in 2 to 3 feet of water, and they refused all artificial offerings. Determined to get Rob on his first redfish, we returned to the deeper open water and caught a ladyfish for bait. By the time we returned, the wind began to build and the tail dissipated, but Rob did manage catching his first redfish. We ended our day catching sea trout on RipTide Screw Jigs with a six inch Flats Chub.
Another observation worth mentioning was a small number of pompano have started to show up on the flats, and with all of the small baitfish around, it won’t be long until the large tarpon show up in greater numbers.
Today I had the pleasure to fish with Bill Mease and his good friend Steve, both Florida natives, and we started out looking for the big redfish in the same area as the day before. A steady south wind kicked up the chop on the water, and the big fish were nowhere to be found, so we decided to take advantage of the low light conditions and target sea trout on top water. After catching several nice trout, the wind lay down and we returned to the redfish flat for another shot, and we were rewarded with some handsome tails. As bad luck would have it, Bill was the first to get a strike, and the fish pulled free. Soon, Bill hooked up with a real pig, only to break off after a ten-minute battle where the leader and main line are attached, and on his third and final fight, the redfish managed to wrap under the stern on the boat and broke the line. For the next several hours we chased tails until the heat drove us off of the water, and as we returned to the dock, the skies let lose with a heavy downpour, soaking us to the bone.
All in all it was a good week of fishing, and on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday I will be representing Coastal Angler Magazine at the DOA Outdoor Writers Conference at the River Palms Cottages in Stuart, Florida with details to follow.
As always, if you need more information or have questions, please contact me.
Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn
Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
www.irl-fishing.com
407-416-1187 on the water
407-366-8085 landline
886-790-8081 toll free
Visit www.mosquitocreekoutdoors.com for your outdoor adventure needs, its Where the Adventure Begins!
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