Vernal Equinox Central Florida Fishing Report
Capt. John Kumiski
March 21, 2020
Titusville - Saltwater Fishing Report
Vernal Equinox Central Florida Fishing Report
In spite of the craziness caused by COVID-19 I was able to get out and fish this week. A wonderful thing about fishing as practiced by me- you're not likely to run across any virus-carrying humans.
The equinox was this week- celebrate a little!
Upcoming Events
I had intended to run the Mosquito Lagoon Show and Tell Seminar on March 28. Given that I'm in a high-risk demographic in the event I'd contract the virus, I have decided to cancel this event. Maybe in the fall…
Fishing
Last Saturday I launched the Bang-o-Craft at River Breeze Park, intending to do some scouting for an upcoming charter (since cancelled). Every time I do something like this I'm reminded of why I avoid fishing on weekends. I had to park most of the way back to Burch Road, the lot was full to overflowing.
My plan was to scout north of the park. I went up to the Blue Hole and started working my way back. In five hours I saw a half-dozen redfish and had one bite from a decent trout. In some of my formerly favorite places the water was almost opaque or the bottom looked diseased. It was not a great outing. I won't be visiting that area for a while.
Monday Susan joined me for some more Mosquito Lagoon scouting. I launched the Mitzi in the wind and mist at Beacon 42. In the first spot we got two slot redfish, a bunch of dinker trout, and hooked and lost a nice trout. In the second we got a nice trout, a flounder, and a few dinker trout. I wanted more spots but Sue was done, so we loaded up and drove home.
Monday night the trip I was scouting for was cancelled.
Tuesday I was on the way to do some Indian River Lagoon kayak fishing when I passed a breakdown. There was a child standing there and dad was lying under the truck. I stopped. "You under control?" "I don't know where the jack is." He had a gheenoe on a trailer. The trailer tire was shredded.
I was like a knight in shining armour. Because I have trailers, I have tools. I had him back on the road in 20 minutes.
I launched the kayak a few minutes later. The water looked OK, but there were no minnows, no mullet, no birds. I thought, "If I get a fish it will be a miracle."
I paddled to the end of the spot, stood up, and began looking as I started back.
I saw three fish. I put the kayak in shallow water, staked it out, and waded back to the area, peppering it with casts. Just before I was to give up a fish struck. It was a lovely trout, about 20 inches.
I did not see another fish, nor was another bite forthcoming. The weather was spectacular though, and I had quite a lovely time.
Thursday Susan joined me. We went to CS Lee Park and launched the Bang-O-Craft. At the mouth of the Econ I had a solid strike on a 1" Sassy Shad. To my surprise it was a large tilapia. I was about to call my Aunt Rochelle when the hook pulled out. One does not get many tilapia bites.
I did get a pair of stumpknockers there, though. No thoughts of keeping them!
We went up the Econ a way and I stopped to cast. I had another solid strike and a fish came cartwheeling out of the water. It turned out to be a bowfin, mudfish here in Florida. Got a crappie there, too. We went further up the very low river, dragging bottom in places and hitting lumber in others. It was very dead up there except for the gar.
I tied on a small Chug Bug and worked it for a while. Got a bite (it surprised me) and caught a seven-inch bass, the final fish of the day.
Friday sister Cheryl and I went kayaking in the Indian River Lagoon looking for birds. I brought a fishing rod but never picked it up- did not see a fish other than some mullet. We did see some eagles, spoonbills, coots, ducks, etc. etc. Nice paddle on a nice day.
And that's my central Florida fishing report for this week. Thanks for reading it!
"Fishing is not an escape from life, but often a deeper immersion into it." -Harry Middleton
Life is great and I love my work!
Every day is a blessing. Don't waste it- Go Fishing!
John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler's Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler's Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/
All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.
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