Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report

[Captain Tom Van Horn]

Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, 1/19/2006

 

As usual, January cold fronts have held the upper hand on anglers these past few weeks. Gusty post and prefrontal breezes have blown out most opportunities creating rough conditions and increased turbidity. It’s funny how the worst weather always seems to arrive on the weekends and when you have trips planned in advance, and on the days you can’t fish, the winds die down and the sun appears.

 

Seasonal conditions have dropped water levels on the Mosquito Lagoon even lower this past week, and finding clean water has been the trick to locating fish. The north end of the Mosquito Lagoon has the cleanest water for the most part, with several large schools of slot reds reported north of Shotgun and around Tiger Shoals. Also, on warmer days, good numbers of upper slot sea trout have been holding in the shallow water potholes, where a stealth presentation of a fly or small shrimp imitation bait like RipTide’s Realistic Shrimp, or DOA Shrimp in natural colors are your best bet for a hook-up. Furthermore, the addition of sound and sent will improve your chances of a hook-up when the water turbid, so be sure to include a Woodies Rattle Hook, and shrimp scented Lunker Sauce to arsenal.

 

Fishing in the No-Motor Zone this past week has also been tough due to cold windy conditions, and launch security closures. Now that the New Horizons Spacecraft has launched, the Zone should reopen soon.

 

On the upper Saint John’s River, the water levels are about 20 inches above the level experienced this time last year, and the American shad have yet to arrive in any significant numbers. I scouted the area south of Hwy 46 Bridge near the Econ Creek on two occasions last week, only to catch an assortment of speckled perch, small bass, and a buzz at the Jolly Gator’s Fish Camp.

 

Today I fished with Captain John Kumiski on the Mosquito Lagoon, and the overcast and windy conditions made sight fishing difficult. Despite the less than perfect conditions, we still managed a dozen slot redfish between us, and a number of small sea trout. All fish were taken on DOA shrimp and CAL baits with Woodies rattles inserted.

 

Hopefully, weather conditions will improve by this weekend, and if they don’t, it is a good time to catch up on the boat and tackle maintenance.

 

In Closing, be sure to check out the new Coastal Angler Magazine Website at www.coastalanglermagazine.com.

 

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

 

Seminar Schedule:

 

January 28, 2006 ISAA Annual BQ at River Breeze Park in Oak Hill

February 11th and 12th Bass Pro Spring Classic in Orlando

February 28th FSFA Meeting on Merritt Island