Indian River Lagoon & Banana River
Capt. John Kumiski
September 27, 2005
Titusville - Saltwater Fishing Report
John Kumiski's Spotted Tail Space Coast report 9/27/05
This week’s fishing report from Spotted Tail, updated 9/27/05
I hope my fishing report doesn't read like an infomercial, but I have two items which may be of interest to a few of you.
I will be holding one of my popular Show and Tell seminars at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge on October 22. During the course of this seminar we tour the refuge, stopping periodically so I can SHOW you where to fish, and TELL you how to go about it. The cost is $40 per person, limited to the first 20. Visit this link: http://www.spottedtail.com for more details.
My newest book, called How and Where to Catch Redfish in the Indian River Lagoon System, is at the printer. Designed to fit in a tackle box, it's a small book, 5.5 x 8.5 inches, 96 pp., with a retail price of $12.95. I am expecting to be able to ship the first copies out on October 20. I am offering a pre-publication special- if you order now I will pay for the shipping. This offer expires on October 15, so don't wait! For more information on the book, or to order, visit this link:
http://www.spottedtail.com Books-HowToCatchRedfish.htm
Now, the fishing report (and I thank you for your patience!).
On Monday the 19th I fished British fly caster Julian Strutt. We started off in the high and dirty Mosquito Lagoon. We found a large school (hundreds of fish) of crevalle and caught five between us, fish that weighed five pounds or so. Other than that we saw nothing, so I pulled the boat out and trailered it to Kennedy Point Park. We found four small schools of redfish in the Indian River, and Julian got a fish from every school, in spite of the high water, clouds, and 15 mph winds. All things considered it was not at all a bad day.
Three days of windy, nasty weather followed. I lost my Wednesday trip because of the weather.
Friday Dr. Brian Jacobus, a fly fisher from Stuart, Florida, came up. The good doctor wanted to get a redfish on fly, never having done that before. I wasn't optimistic, given the overcast sky and continued high water, but we fished in the Indian River and he got five reds in the slot, one shorty, and two of the smallest trout I've ever seen caught on hook and line. Both fish were about the size of my middle finger and I think you can safely assume they didn't rip much line out.
Saturday was Kids Fishing Day. I ended up having 15 boat captains volunteer. Brian Eastman had electrical problems with his boat and had to pull out, and Karl Dienst was ill and couldn't make it, so we only had 13 boats. These captains are as follows:
John Thompson
Tom Van Horn
Keith Kalbfleisch
Dave Attaway
John Woodson
Chris Myers
Phil Triano
John and Judy Bartoletti
Ray Jones
John Frasier
Bill Bird
Gary Berkson
We all sat there expectantly, wondering how many kids would show up. Thirty four kids got off the vans, and we managed to get every one of them on a boat. I had three nine year old girls in my boat, quite a crowd in a little Mirage! We caught a bunch of ladyfish, one 18" redfish, saw several manatees and an alligator, and ate too many dogs and burgers afterwards, definitely a good time. I think all the boats caught fish, although I didn't get a full report. I know Keith's boat got a bunch of ladyfish, John Woodson's boat got some jacks and ladyfish, Tom's kids hooked a 30 pound red that was lost at the boat. The kids had a whale of a time, as did the adults for that matter. My personal thanks to everyone who helped out with this very worthwhile event.
Sunday I fished a father and son team, Chris and Nick Carofalo, from St. Louis. Chris used a fly rod, Nick a spinner. Our first fish was an 11 pound black drum that Chris caught on a Kwan. Then Nick jumped three tarpon on a DOA TerrorEyz, catching the third one. Chris also had a tarpon bite on the Kwan, which he missed. We had a dry spell for a while, then they each got a slot trout in quick succession. We ended the day with two surprising catches, a red and a gag grouper that Nick got on cut mullet.
See photos of these trips at http://www.spottedtail.com
Yesterday Jerry Goldsmith and I launched kayaks at RiverBreeze, wonderful exercise but a complete waste of time fishing-wise. The water is too high and dirty. Moby Dick could be there and you couldn't see him. I won't be going there again until the water drops.
Upcoming Events-
-October- I'll be presenting at the Palm Beach Shallow Water Show on October 15 and 16. Stop by my booth and say hello!
-One of the popular "Show and Tell" seminars is scheduled for Oct. 22 at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Details will be posted in September.
-I am scheduled to teach a Flats Fishing class at Brevard Community College, Cocoa, from 10/25 to 11/22. Call the school at 321.433.7530 to register.
-November- I am scheduled to teach a Saltwater Fly Fishing class on November 5th and 12th class at Brevard Community College, Cocoa. Call the school at 321.433.7530 to register. I will be tying flies at the International Fly Tying Symposium in Somerset, NJ on November 19 and 20.
Remember- life is short. GO FISHING!
Life is great and I love my work!!
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to email me at [email protected], or call at 407 977 5207.
John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com
member IRGA, FOWA
More Fishing Reports:
