Warming Temperatures warm up bite on Space Coast
Capt. John Kumiski
February 8, 2009
Titusville - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fishing Report from Spotted Tail 2/2/09
Upcoming Events:
The Space Shuttle launch that was scheduled for 7:30 AM February 12th has been moved to February 22nd at the earliest. I guess it was good that all you folks procrastinated booking me for the 12th!
Monday it rained most of the day- nasty, March in New England kind of rain- cold, windy, miserable. I stayed in and tried to work on the computer.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday it blew like snot, with highs in the low 50's. It was below freezing at night. I went for some walks and bike rides but did not go fishing.
Friday, now there was a day. Kent Sullivan and John Fitzpatrick, flycasters both, joined me for a day in the no motor zone of the Banana River Lagoon. It was still pretty darn chilly, with a high of about 60 degrees. Wind was north more or less at about 10 mph. Not a perfect day (I was shivering all morning), but the sun was out and we had the place to ourselves, which was glorious.
The fish weren't thick, but we saw enough that everyone had quite a few shots and at least one bite. We used black bunny boogers and brown Merkin crabs. Kent got his first redfish ever and John hooked and broke off a 20 pound class red. We saw some crawlers, some tailers, some cruisers, and some laid up fish, pretty much the entire repertoire. We ended up with three reds and two blacks between us, with the best fish being a 20 pound black.
Saturday the three of us took the Mitzi out onto the Mosquito Lagoon. We started late, 8:30 or so. Everywhere I wanted to fish there were already boats. We finally found one spot that was unoccupied and had some fish. Of course some meathead soon poled right up to us, even asking, "You guys get any on fly?"
I understand it's a Saturday. I understand I don't own the place. But when you can cast your line into my boat you're too close to me.
I started my motor and blew out of there, going elsewhere. I hope he got the message. If I knew who he was I would have sent him an email politely asking him to never do that to me again.
We went into the Indian River and ran up to Griffis Bay. There were NO boats out there, but there were no fish either. We went back into the Mosquito Lagoon. John got a tailer on a little bonefish fly, our first and as it turned out only bite of the day. We had some other shots, including some at a small school of 20 pound plus fish, but all we got were refusals. It was a frustrating day and illustrates yet again why I don't like fishing on weekends.
Today I joined the Happy Paddlers for a trip down the Econlockhatchee. Having paddled with these folks before I didn't bother bringing a fishing rod. I can hardly keep up with them without taking time to fish!
Along the Econ the willows are blooming right now. When I go to Alaska at the end of June the willows will be blooming. It takes Spring half of February, all of March, April, May, and June to get from here to there. It makes me glad I live here!
Life is short- GO FISHING!!!
Life is great and I love my work!
If you have any questions or comments, or if you'd like to go fishing, please feel free to email me at [email protected], or call at 407 977 5207.
John Kumiski
member, Indian River Guides Association,
Florida Outdoor Writers Association
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