Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Forecast

[Captain Tom Van Horn]

Florida’s East Coast Fishing Outlook for November 2007

 

Compliments of Mosquito Creek Outdoors, Apopka Florida

 

November on the Indian River Lagoon Coast of Florida

 

With the exception of a few more gray hairs that haven’t fallen out yet, I welcome the arrival of fall and the changing seasons brought forth by falling temperatures on the Indian River Lagoon coast of Florida. The cool crisp morning air in my lungs and on my cheeks is a refreshing change from our hot dry summer and our rainy humid October.

 

As the sun rises and sets further to the south, both anglers and game fish celebrate the tail end of the bait run; gathering in the inlet passes on the falling tides to fulfill their natural gratifications, one of indulgence, the other contentment. As the steady migration of mullet, pilchards, threadfin herring, and other baitfish pack into the IRL’s inlets, an overabundance of hungry gamefish lay in waiting. When tide is right, the inlets explode in a flurry of feeding gamefish, fleeing baitfish, and aggressive anglers.

 

Although November is notorious for greeting us with howling easterly winds as our first significant cold fronts pass, fishing in and around the inlets will remain outstanding until water temperature drop below 70 degrees. In the inlets of Ponce De Leon, Port Canaveral and Sebastian, snook fishing will remain excellent during low light periods and at night as the remaining baitfish traveling down the beach are forced in close to the jetties and other structure with the best action occurring during slack tidal periods, especially the end of high tide. During these periods hungry gamefish take advantage of slow currents and feed heavily. As the tide begins to fall, gamefish move into their ambush locations to finish off their frenzy. Breeder Redfish, jack crevalle, bluefish, ladyfish, Spanish mackerel, sharks, and tarpon all share in the fury, so step up your tackle size and hold on.

 

My favored technique is to cast net live mullet, and drift them through the passes on a sliding sinker rig. Look for areas of feeding activity, birds diving and fish busting, and adjust the size of your weight based of current. The rig I use starts out with a Daiichi Bleeding Bait circle hook proportionate to your bait size to allow a natural swimming appearance. In simple terms, small bait small hook, large bait large hook. Next, I attach a 30-inch section of 30 to 40 pound test fluorocarbon leader to a 20-pound test braided mainline. If large tarpon are your target, step your leader size up to 60-pound test. Before I tie on my hook, I slide my slip sinker on to the leader, then attach the hook, and finish the rig off by using a split shot located between the barrel sinker and the hook adjusted to keep the weight off of the hook. As I drift through the passes, I like to cast parallel to my drift with just enough weight to keep the bait in the feeding zone, and increase the barrel sinker size as the current picks up. Additionally, as we near the end of November and finger mullet diminish, switch to pinfish on pigfish as bait. Finally and most important, pass fishing in November can be dangerous, so as I drift through the inlet, I keep the helm manned with my engine running, keeping a close eye on boat traffic and sea conditions, and always be prepared for evasive action if needed.

 

As the first significant cold front passes and surf temperatures reach the 68-degree mark, flounder slide into the inlets on their annual spawning migration out to sea. The exodus usually begins with the arrival of the smaller 1 to 3-poung gulf flounder (three spot), which are later joined by the doormat size 2 to 14-pound southern flounder. Many anglers prefer to anchor up and fish live finfish on the bottom, but I favor drifting the lagoon side of the passes bouncing a RipTide Mud Minnow Jig on the bottom. I’ve also learned adding the element of sound to my jig by inserting a Woodie’s Rattle Capsule improves my catch. This vertical jigging technique allows me to cover more area and catch a wider assortment of species. Likewise, as lagoon temperatures cool, pompano are another likely target as they congregate on the lagoon side of the passes before moving out to their winter haunts along the beaches to feed on sand fleas (mole crabs) their favorite winter food.

 

Cobia and tripletail fishing can be very good this time of year depending on ocean temperatures (71 to 74 degrees is best) and winter weather conditions. To target them, head east out of Port Canaveral or Sebastian Inlet looking for rips, sargassum and flotsam pushed in by the easterly fetch. Once you have located the floating structure, work the rip with the sun to your back looking for fish suspended underneath, and catch then on spinning tackle or fly, and a live jumbo shrimp on a jig works best.

 

Inside the lagoons, falling water levels and cleaner conditions will facilitate increased sight fishing prospects for both redfish and sea trout. Also remember spotted sea trout are out of season in our region of the state for both November and December, so please handle and release them with extreme care.

Seminars and Events

 

November 17th 9am – 11am, Anglers for Conservation presents the Hook Kids on Fishing program at the Volusia County Fair Grounds, Coastal Angler Magazine's Boat Show & Fishing Expo. The first 100 kids will receive a new fishing rod, reel and tackle box on completion of the program.

 

November 16th, 17th, and 18th, Coastal Angler Magazines Boating and Fishing Expo at the Volusia County Fairgrounds, the event features a full program of speakers and seminars. Hands on Angler Improvement Clinic presented by Mosquito Creek Outdoors, learn to rig soft plastic baits and utilized braided fishing line, knots, and leaders for inshore applications, and participants will receive free samples from RipTide, D.O.A, Woodies Rattles, and coupons redeemable at Mosquito Creek Outdoors while supplies last.

 

Call now to purchase your holiday charter gift certificate for the 2008 fishing season.

 

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

 

Good luck and good fishing,

 

Captain Tom Van Horn

 

Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters

http://www.irl-fishing.com

407-366-8085 landline

407-416-1187 on the water

866-790-8081 toll free

 

 

Visit http://www.mosquitocreekoutdoors.com for your outdoor adventure needs, its Where the Adventure Begins!

[Steve Coppolo]

Terrific!

 

Won't be long now and the Roker will be on the move.