Indian River Lagoon
Capt. Tom Van Horn
July 23, 2004
Indian River Lagoon - Saltwater Fishing Report
Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report
Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, July 23, 2004
Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
I must confess, it’s been two weeks since my last report. As many of you know, I’ve been off the water on vacation up the eastern seaboard with my wife Sandi, and my granddaughter Rae Lynn. Our quest carried us through Charleston, Savannah, and St. Marys, with the highlight of the trip being our exploration of Cumberland Island National Seashore. It was an adventure rich in American history, lots of walking, and lots of wonderful low country seafood.
Although I gained about ten pounds while away, I immediately resumed my push pole diet, spending numerous hours last week sweating in pursuit of Mr. Redfish from the platform of Three Quarter Time. Catching this past week has been tough for me on the Lagoon, and from what I’ve heard from others, it was a difficult week all around, both inshore and offshore of the Lagoon Coast.
On the Lagoon this week, the sea trout bite is still your best opportunity for stretching line on the Lagoon. On several occasions, we hammered the trout fishing the deeper flats during the predawn hours with top-water plugs (chugbugs, skitterwalks, and Johnny Ratlers), and this bite should improve greatly as we move into the full moon phase.
As for redfish, the flats at first light have been loaded with tailing fish, but getting them to eat has been a real challenge. On Thursday, I fished with Max and his son Andy from Orlando, and we were on the most awesome school of tailing reds right off the bat. The school consisted of about forty fish in the 20 to 30 pound range, and they were pushing up into a tight group with all of their tails waving. Max hooked up immediately using a live pigfish, and we boated a nice 34 inch red before the fog lifted. It was one of those days when you think, there I go thinking again, this is going to be one of those lifetime catching experience, only to learn the tough lessen that fishing is fishing. For the remainder of the charter, I kept a steady bow in my push pole pursuing restless redfish around the flats. If you plan on pursuing redfish this weekend, I think it would be prudent to catch some live finger mullet and just settle into an area where you find tailing reds, and just quietly chunk live baits.
Near and offshore, the picture hasn’t been any brighter with a moderate influx from the coldwater upwelling of the Labrador Current. The water along the beach has been cold, and you really have to work to find bait and fish. The best information I’ve been hearing is there are some scattered bait pods, tarpon and kingfish along the beach starting around Patrick AFB, working south to Sebastian Inlet, and that the water is currently warming up some. If you plan on fishing this weekend, you might consider targeting whiting, drum, and sheepshead along the beach, and be ready for the tarpon and kingfish bite to fire up once the water begins to warm up.
In Closing, I would like to thank all of the members of the Internet Shrimpers and Anglers Association (ISAA) for inviting me the to speak at their July BBQ last Saturday. For those of you who are not familiar with this outstanding organization, you should check out their website at http://www.isaa.cc This group is unique, because they are the only family oriented shrimping and fishing club in the world who’s focus is the educate anglers, and the throw a great BBQ too.
As Always, if you have questions or need information, Please contact me.
Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn
www.irl-fishing.com
407-366-8085 office
407-416-1187 on the water
866-790-8081 toll free
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