Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, April 14, 2005

Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters

As many of you know, my sea legs have been shackled due to a resent illness, and I have learned first hand what cabin fever is all about. I am feeling much better now, but the only thing keeping me from losing my wits is the thought of returning to the lagoon. Nine days and counting until cast off, I can’t wait.

With time on my hands away from fishing, I made the decision to move forward with several long desired projects on my trusty skiff “Three Quarter Time”, and no I did not change the color”. Today, Don at Chain of Lakes Marine in Sanford completed installation of a new Minn Kota Riptide Bow Mount 360 trolling motor system and a Power Pole, and I must say these guys do quality work. Adding these two systems to my 1995 Maverick Master Angle was not a simple task, and their attention to detail and creative engineering were indispensable in completing these projects. Also, for those clients and fishing friends whose backsides were aching at the end of our last adventure, new seat cushions should be complete any day now.

Although I have not been on the water, I am fortunate to be affiliated with a network of quality fishing guides and outstanding lagoon anglers, who freely facilitate my need for information, and from what I learned from them this week, I haven’t missed much.

Offshore, with the exception of a few brief periods, windy conditions have shut down the offshore bite. There still were a few cobias taken off of rays in the areas of Buoy 2 and 4, and some nice tripletail south of the buoy line, but overall, the heavy seas have kept most anglers at the dock. Additionally, 20 to 25 knot easterly winds are predicted for this weekend, so it my be a good weekend for honey-dos and boat maintenance projects. Once this current weather system passes, look for the cobia and tripletail bite to improve as well as the dolphin run to commence.

Inshore on the lagoon flats, windy conditions have and will continue to make sight fishing tough through the weekend. Most of the anglers I’ve talked with this week have been successful in catching a few nice fish, but they had to work hard for them. Sea trout continue to provide the best action working soft plastics like RipTides Flats Chub, DOA Shrimp, or Berkley Gulp Shrimp while drifting the deeper edges of the flats in 3 to 4 feet of water. Redfish reports this week have been limited, with most being taken by anglers chunking cut bait in known redfish haunts. Although this technique is not the most glamorous, it is the most productive on nasty days.

On the St Johns River, the shad hatch is on, but for some reason, the schooling large mouth bass have yet to materialize. One theory is that cooler than normal water temperatures have extended the bass spawn, and once the spawn is complete the feeding frenzy will commence. It this theory holds true, the look for the hungry bass to come off of the beds after the full moon.

In closing, if you plan on fishing this weekend, please be careful in the rough water conditions, and enjoy your weekend. Also, I would like to thank those who provide their knowledge and insight to my readers through this report. See you on the water soon.

As always, if you need information or have any questions, please contact me.

Good luck and good fishing,

Captain Tom Van Horn
www.irl-fishing.com
407-416-1187 on the water
407-366-8085 office
866-790-8081 toll free