Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Forecast, January 2005

Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters

Reflecting back through my past angling chronicles is routine procedure in preparation of my fishing forecast, and it’s a practice I truly enjoy. Within these squirreled away files, I’m reminded of outstanding adventures shared with fishing friends on the open waters of Indian River Lagoon coast. Sunny days, calm seas, tight lines, screaming drags, and happy fish, are all terms that make me smile. I’m also taken back to less favorable journeys, best described as character builders, lessens learned, or true adventures. Either way, it’s all fishing, and it’s usually the unpleasant stories, which yield the most humor when it’s all said and done, becoming the tales we love to tell the most.

In reviewing my archives for 2004, I see both of these scenarios played out to their full extent. We experienced an outstanding year of angling mixed in with some trying times and personal losses, but our mortality compels us to move forward, learning from our experiences and our mistakes, and appreciating the many blessings bestowed upon us. With that said, I believe a celebration of the New Year is justified, and I’m looking forward to our adventures on the water together next year.

Winter on the Indian River Lagoon system is not defined by any specific dates, but rather by the temperature differences generated by passing cold fronts. These variations are subject to change from year to year, and they are impossible to predict. Average daytime temperatures usually range from the 50’s in the morning to around the 70’s by afternoon. Likewise, water temperatures average in the upper 60’s, but they can drop as low as the 50’s during extended periods of cold weather. On warm sunny days, water temperatures can increase as much as four degrees on the shallow flats and sandbars. All of these factors greatly affect species targeted and methods used.

Redfish and sea trout will seek the warmest water they can find. Start out working the deeper edges of the flats in the morning and then move into the warmer wind protected flats around mid-day to late afternoon. An early start is not prudent this time of year. Additionally, both redfish and sea trout love to warm themselves in the shallow water sand pockets “potholes” within the grassy flats. On colder days, focus your attention on the deeper holes using a very slow presentation. When targeting redfish and trout in these deeper holes, I prefer using shrimp imitation baits like RipTide, DOA, or GULP shrimp in the clear or nightglow colors fish extremely slow. Other species encountered in January are black drum, flounder, sheepshead, jacks, Spanish mackerel, and bluefish. Also, January is one of the best months to target tailing black drum on the flats, especially in the Banana River “ No Motor Zone”. Both live shrimp and clams are the preferred bait for black drum, but they will eat both artificial and fly when presented properly.

Inlet fishing has been good this past month weather permitting, with Sebastian proving to be the most productive. There are still some reports of flounder moving through the inlet. On the inside of the inlet, look for good numbers of pompano, ladyfish, and jacks to be present on the flats both north and south of the cut and in the area of the monument. Also, January is the month when the jumbo reds move in and feed in the mouth of the inlet during the last part of the falling tide. These monsters are brood stock, so please handle and release them with care.

Near-shore, January is the month when the tripletail become consistent on the Port Canaveral buoy line, and their numbers will increase as the month progresses. The other hot ticket near-shore is the presents king mackerel holding along the 70 to 90 foot reefs of North Pelican and 8A. Weather permitting; bottom fishing on deep structure should remain consistent. Look for snapper, cobia and sea bass in depths of 80 t0 140 feet, and grouper and amberjack along the 22 fathom ridge and deeper.

Again, the primary factor in catching fish along the Lagoon coast in January is temperature, so keep an eye on the weather and plan your trip accordingly.

In closing, I would like to thank each and every one of you for friendship, guidance, and support this past year, and I wish you a happy, prosperous, and fishfull New Year. 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
captain@irl-fishing.com
407-366-8085
407-416-1187 on the water
866-790-8081 toll free

If you would like to be added to my e-mail list, contact me at captain@irl-fishing.com.