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Indian River Lagoon
Capt. Tom Van Horn
May 24, 2004
Indian River Lagoon - Saltwater Fishing Report
Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, May 22,2004
Indian Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, May, 22, 2004
Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
For the last few weeks, a high-pressure ridge has planted itself firmly offshore of the Indian River Lagoon coast producing clear sunny skies, warm rain free days, and steady easterly breezes between 5 to 15 knots. To many this sounds like a wonderful weather pattern, especially for those who live in the central states, but for anglers on the lagoon coast, it represents a change in fish patterns, fishing plans, and angling strategies. Summer is clearly here, but the typical sea breeze fronts that normally develop over the mainland during the day and cool us off in the afternoon are absent. Hopefully, this weather pattern will break soon, because the lack of precipitation has dropped lagoon water levels to the point where some sea grass beds are exposed, and low water has made navigation of skinny areas difficult.
On the lagoon last week, the early morning trout bite was good working top water plugs in the areas of sandbars and spoil islands, with the bite slowing down once the winds picked up. Redfish schools are abundant throughout the lagoon flats, but again, an early morning calm conditions will improve you odds in locating them. We have also seen a good number of ladyfish and jacks moving north up the IRL shadowing pods of glass minnows and finger mullet. The fast and furious action of these ladyfish schools are always great fun, especially on ultra light tackle or fly.
Out of Port Canaveral and Sebastian, the bait schools along the beach were tough to find, but once located, good catches of tarpon, large jacks, and sharks were reported. Also, good numbers of bluefish and Spanish mackerel have been located just outside the inlets. At Port Canaveral, the pogies, Atlantic menhaden, have been concentrated inside the port near the back basin, but clear water conditions make a fast sinking cast net with a long rope essential for catching them. If linesiders (snook) are of your liking, remember, this is the last week you will be able to put one on the dinner plate, because snook season ends on June 1st.. Additionally, I’ve seen a good number of large southern flounder showing up showing up at the cleaning table, but when asked the question, “ where’d you catch them”? , I’m getting the same answer every time, “right in the mouth”.
Near-shore, clean water conditions and fair seas have rewarded many anglers fishing the reefs and wrecks like 8A, and Pelican Flats with limits of kingfish. Most fish were taken slow trolling live and dead bait. With baitfish (pogies) difficult to locate, it is prudent to include a box of frozen sardines in you bait arsenal as back up. Also, good numbers of tripletail have been taken off of flotsam, and there are still some cobia shadowing manta rays in the area.
Offshore, dolphin have been the hot ticket for most blue water anglers outside Port Canaveral. I’ve also heard reports from more than one source, of quality fish being taken in as shallow as 60 feet of water, well within the range of skinny water boats.
As always, if you have questions or need information, please contact me.
Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn
[email protected]
www.irl-fishing.com
407-366-808
886-790-8081 toll free
If you would like my reports sent directly to you, just drop me a line, and I will add you to my mailing list.
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