My favorite time of the year to catch redfish is here! Cold water temps mean clear water for northeast Florida and that means it’s time to sight fish for reds. When the water gets below about 60 degrees the brown algae will die off, resulting in clearer water and some exciting fishing opportunities. Cold water also means that redfish will be schooled up both on the flats and in the deeper creek holes. Black drum, trout, and sheepshead will also be schooled up in the same areas. If you can get out on a nice sunny day over the next couple of months, you better go, because the fishing will be on fire!
We’ll have some really good negative low tides coming up, which means easy pickings for schooled-up fish of all kinds. These extra-low, low tides will concentrate fish down to the deeper parts of the creeks and flats. Fish the last hour or so of the outgoing tide with a ¼-ounce Slayer Inc. jig and just about anything live or artificial pegged to it, and you’re sure to get hooked up. Hard bends in the creeks will have the deepest holes. Some creeks may have a shallow mouth but don’t be afraid to do some exploring, as some of the best creek holes are pretty far back in there. If you’re unsure of the depth or afraid of getting stuck, just wait until the tide goes slack and then starts pushing in. That way you’ll know if you can make it in, you can definitely make it back out as long as the tide is still coming in. Then next time you’ll have a better idea of where your boat can and can’t go.
On days when the sun is shining, locating large schools of redfish on the flats can be a sure thing this time of year. The sun allows you to see in the water so make sure you keep it at your back if at all possible. Redfish will tend to hang out on flats that hold bait, have easy access to deeper water, and have areas that warm up quickly. Flats with an abundance of oysters are a good place to start, as they tend to cover most of the above-mentioned criteria. Once you locate the school, approach as stealthily as possible. Drifting and/or poling the boat is best, but using the trolling motor can catch our fish as well. Just keep it slow and at a constant speed. This is also a good time of year to downsize your baits a bit as clear water tends to mean spookier redfish. My favorite sight-fishing bait for redfish is a ¼- or 1/8-ounce Slayer Inc. jighead with a Slayer Inc. SST paddle tail. The size and action seem to be just right for our wintertime reds.
Sheepshead fishing will be in full swing by now. Just about any bridge piling or jetty rock with barnacles on it will be holding some sheepies. The go-to bait is a fiddler crab on a small j-hook or jighead. Fish the pilings and rocks vertically with enough weight to hold the bait close to the structure. Just remember they’re quick, so you’ll need to be on your hook-setting game. The old saying goes, “You have to set the hook before they bite!” Tight lines!
--------
Contact Info: Capt. Tommy DerringerInshore Adventures(p) 904 377-3734(w) inshoreadventures.net
Blessed are we who live, breath and fish on the Indian River Lagoon coast of Florida. As we usher in the New Year, I can’t begin to fathom the many blessing bestowed upon me in 2012 as I ecstatically embrace the many opportunities before me in 2013. Blessed by 156 miles of inshore saltwater estuaries, rich Atlantic and Gulfstream waters just offshore and an abundance of freshwater lakes and the St Johns River. One need not travel far to enjoy a memorable day on the water enjoying life with friends and family. We are also blessed in the Central Florida community with an abundance of like-minded folks who share our ethics, our waters and truly understand the value of our fishery and our resources. Together as the Central Florida brotherhood of fishing, we strive to enlighten others and share our experiences on the water.
As most anglers know, winter on the Space Coast is not defined by specific dates, but rather by temperature shifts brought on by passing winter fronts. During the months of January and February, average daytime temperatures usually range from the 50s in the morning to around the 70s by afternoon. Likewise, water temperatures average in the upper 60s, but they can drop as low as the 50s during extended periods of cold weather. On warm, sunny days, water temperatures can increase as much as 4 degrees on the shallow flats and sandbars by afternoon. All of these factors greatly affect species targeted and tactics used.
On colder days, an early start is not necessary as the metabolisms of fish in general slowdown and they burn less energy. Both redfish and sea trout on the inshore flats will seek the warmest water they can find and love to warm themselves in the shallow water sand pockets “potholes” in the morning before the sun grows high. So, 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 the DOA Shrimp in the clear or nightglow colors and fish extremely slow. Other species encountered during the winter 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 is also very good, weather permitting, with Sebastian Inlet 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 and February are the months when tripletail become consistent on the Port Canaveral buoy line, and their numbers will increase as the months progress. Also, look for king mackerel 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 to 140 feet, and grouper and amberjack along the 22-fathom ridge and deeper.
Last but not least, the American shad run is in full swing on the upper St Johns River in the area of Geneva, Florida, and if this year’s run is half as good as last year, it will be a great season. The American shad run is as close as us Floridians get to the salmon runs experienced in our northern streams, and it’s in January and February when they are all fishing through ice holes, we’re fly and light-tackle fishing in our winter shorts.
In closing, I would like to wish you all a happy and fishy New Year, and come visit Central Florida for some memorable fishing.
Capt. Tom Van Horn is a Florida native with over 30 years experience fishing on the estuaries of east Central Florida. Capt. Tom specializes in light tackle saltwater fishing on the Mosquito, Banana, and Indian River Lagoons. Species targeted include redfish, sea trout, snook, tarpon, cobia, tripletail, and kingfish. Capt. Tom is sponsored by RipTide Lures, Evolution Rods, Lipper Tools, Maui Jim Sun Glasses, Woodies Rattles, Mosquito Creek Outdoors, Frog Toggs, and Team Daiwa. He writes weekly fishing reports, fishing forecast, and articles about his outdoor adventures. Contact Info: Capt. Tom Van HornMosquito Coast Fishing Charters540 Lake Lenelle DriveChuluota, FL 32766(p) 407 366-8085(p) 866 790-8081 Toll Free(p) 407 416-1187 Boat(e) captain@irl-fishing.com(w) irl-fishing.com
As hurricane season begins to wane and our prevailing winds shift to the northeast, fall marks the transition period setting the stage for our fall mullet run on Florida’s Space Coast.Along the beach, look for the silver kings (tarpon), smoker kings, blacktip sharks, jack crevalle, and redfish to be shadowing pods of Atlantic menhaden (pogies), thread fin herring (greenies), Spanish sardines, and bay anchovy (glass minnows) in close to the beach. Also look for snook fishing in the surf to improve, as we get closer to the commencement of the fall bait run. In and around the inlets, look for Spanish mackerel, tarpon, jack cervalle, and bonita to be working schools of glass minnows on the outside, and snook, redfish, mangrove snapper, and flounder in the area of jetties and other structure.Angling on the in-shore lagoons will continue to show improvement, with fishing in the predawn and late evening hours being most productive. Look for schools of redfish in the skinny water holding in the vicinity of bait concentration, and target them utilizing smaller topwater plugs. Once the sun starts to grow hot, the topwater bite will shut down, and bait becomes your better option. For larger trout, fish live pigfish in close to docks and other structure adjacent to deeper water. In deeper water, look for large schools of ladyfish, small trout, and tarpon pushing schools of glass minnows near the surface. These schools are easy to locate by watching for concentrations of birds, terns and cormorants, joining in on the frenzy, and they are perfect for fly anglers who are interested in the continuous fast and furious action provided by these speedsters. Last but not least, look for pompano schools holding in the shadows of the causeway bridges. Fish jigs tipped with shrimp or sand fleas (mole crabs) along the deeper edges and drop-offs. Lagoon water levels are extremely low, so please use caution when accessing skinny water.The shorter days in August also set the stage for the beginning of our fall mullet migration as the silver mullet begin to form up for their journey south for the winter. Along with this transition, breeder redfish form up for their spawn in the north Indian River Lagoon and inlet passes, as well as the snook in the surf.In closing, I would like to thank all of you who enjoy angling on Florida’s east central coast for your courteous and respectful treatment of the resource, other anglers, and the sport, and encourage all recreational anglers to become part of the solution by signing up and participating in the Angler Action Program, make your fish count.As always, if you need information or have questions, please contact me.Good luck and good fishing, Captain Tom Van Horn
-----
SEPTEMBER
INSHOREWith September comes extreme high tides. In the backcountry along the ICW and the St. Johns River, these tides will open up the shallowest Spartina marshes and mud flats bringing redfish and sheepshead looking for fiddlers and mud crabs, along with snails in areas that normally have no water. If you listen closely you not only can see them tailing or with their backs out of the water, you can also hear them. Redfish will slurp the snails right off the grass or have their head down digging for crabs. It is time to break out the fly rods and the weedless jerk baits to pitch to the slots in the grass where you see tails and tips. A gold spoon will also work. This is a good time to get out of your boat and wade fish and be as quiet as you possibly can. Not only can you catch these big fish, you can also get some great photos.With this time of year brings great surf fishing, which will trigger good bluefish bites, also whiting and black drum along with the fall mullet run. If you are looking for bigger fish, tarpon will be hanging near the inlets feeding on baits, both early in the morning and late in the evening. This is also the start of the flounder run, with flounder being all over the river. The big ones will be around rock piles and docks. Flounder will hit artificial and live baits at this time of the year.Spanish mackerel will be making their inlet runs in the river and ICW. They will take a silver spoon trolling deep in the river.Trout will be gathering at creek mouths and areas were the water is moving. They will hit a jig, diving plugs, and live shrimp.OFFSHOREFish the wrecks northeast of Mayport for snapper and grouper. South of Mayport, anglers will do well with beeliners (vermilion snapper), cobia, triggerfish, and amberjack.Run off shore of St. Augustine and troll ballyhoo combos for sailfish.
OCTOBER FORECASTINSHOREThe doormats are here! This time of year the big flounder are stacked up in the inlets, along the jetties, docks, or any place there is structure under the water. You want to soak a mud minnow or mullet on a fish-finder rig and wait for the thump. Also you can use a jig head with a soft plastic, working it slow while waiting for the flounder to stop the bait. Looking around oyster beds and grassy areas you will find redfish and trout. Bluefish, yellowmouth trout, and black drum are also in the inlets and ICW. Live bait, like mullet and shrimp, will work for all. You can also use artificials, jigs with soft plastics, early morning topwater plugs, and suspending diving baits. The cooler water will bring a great trout topwater bite with low light, either early in the morning or on cloudy days. Beach fishermen will still find whiting along the shore along with pompano before the fall temperatures send them south. There will be some tarpon around feeding on live mullet at the mouths of inlets.OFFSHORESouth of St. Augustine to Daytona Beach, look for sailfish. They will be circling up bait in the blue water. You will want to get close to see this. This is truly a sight to see. And you will want to toss your baits into the schools, no doubt.Wrecks close to shore will still be holding grouper and snapper. African pompano and cobia will be at the deeper structures. You will want to use live bait. This is also the time of year to troll the ledge for dolphin and wahoo. At the roll down you may even catch a blue marlin.
Capt. Kyle Erickson grew up fishing and scouting the near shore and backwaters of The Big Bend. Through his years of experience, Capt. Erickson is able to offers expert guide services throughout The Big Bend and Forgotten Coast. He specializes in trout, redfish, tarpon and tripletail fishing, but is more than capable of putting you on some hardheaded cobia action. Both personable and friendly, Capt. Kyle will deliver a fun-filled day on the water full of drag-screaming action.Contact Info: Capt. Kyle Erickson(p) 850 229–2710(e) kyleerickson85@gmail.com
As we transition from spring into summer, tropical species like snook, tarpon and jack crevalle return to the nearshore waters off of the Canaveral Bight and the beaches along the Space Coast. When water temperatures heat up, pods of silver mullet and Atlantic menhaden (pogies) move in close to the beach, bringing the predator species with them. This same scenario unfolds in the inshore lagoons, marking the return of silver mullet and the feeding transition of redfish and sea trout from crabs and shrimp to finfish.On the flats of the Northern Indian River and Mosquito lagoons, the return of silver mullet also signals the return of top water plug action, with early morning and late afternoon/early evening as the primary times to target redfish, sea trout, ladyfish, and jack crevalle. Two of my favorite lures to fish in areas of concentrated baitfish are the Rapala Skitter Walk and the Storm Chugbug. Once the top water bite slows down, switch to subsurface soft plastics like the DOA CAL on a Woodies Rattles Hook sight fished on the deeper edges of the flat.When fishing along the beaches, concentrate your efforts in areas of bait pods (Atlantic menhaden). Species often encountered around these bait pods in May and June are kingfish, tarpon, cobia, sharks, redfish, and jumbo jack crevalle. As we move into June and the summer doldrums begin to settle in, sea conditions will allow smaller vessels to venture offshore in search of these gamesters. When venturing offshore in a smaller vessel, remember safety is of the utmost importance, so watch the seas, fuel levels, and the return of afternoon storms.Calm seas also make May a prime month for blue water anglers with the dolphin migration north being the primary focus. Also in the mix are tuna, wahoo, kingfish, sailfish, and an occasional marlin for adventurous offshore anglers. When targeting these species, look for color and temperature changes (rips and lines), in 120 feet of water and deeper, and in areas of concentrated flotsam. In addition, let’s not forget the kingfish, cobia, and assorted bottom species available on the nearshore reefs and wrecks of Chris Benson, 8A reef, Pelican Flats and Bethel Shoals to the south.Remember, May and June are tournament months out of Port Canaveral, Ponce and Sebastian Inlets, so please be courteous and patient at the ramps and on the water, and let’s catch some fish this summer.Good luck and good fishing.
Ahoy there. In the next couple of months you can look for the sheepshead and black drum bite to really pick up. Black drum from 4 to 20 pounds are being caught in the St. Johns River, Nassau River and at the Mayport Jetties. Black drum from 12 to 18 inches are in the creeks here and there. Usually when you find one you’ll catch two or three in the same area. The sheepshead have been biting real well out at the rocks for some time now and are picking up more and more as the time goes by. I spend a lot of time at the Mayport Jetties in October all the way through April. After all, catching sheepshead is second only to stalking redfish in the shallows as my favorite. These great-tasting, hard-fighting bream on steroids are like the “crab-of-the-sea” as far as taste goes. So many people enjoy eating these wonderful fish. With this cooler weather we’re about to have, they will only get even better.The spotted trout are doing a little better here lately and if the rains keep coming down 100 miles south of Jacksonville, then they’ll only improve. The rains will help flush all the shrimp toward the ocean and the trout won’t be nearly as scattered as they are now. They’re scattered all the way from Green Cove Springs to the ocean. They have no reason to go north, because they have so much to eat where they are. Speaking of all the bait; the people who are gigging for flounder are getting plenty and everyone fishing for them talks about how slow it’s been this season. They’re here, they just have so much to eat that they’re full and you can hardly catch any on a hook. Redfish will continue to feed as long as we don’t have a sudden drop in water temperature. When that happens, they slow down their feeding mode for a couple of days until they get used to the new temperatures.Whiting are in Nassau Sound along with a couple drum and a pompano here and there. You’ll also find loads of speckled trout, but it seems like almost all are shorties. I had a charter catch 39 in one day and we didn’t have one keeper. I don’t like it when they’re all shorts. Not much fun. Redfish are along the grass edges and clay jetties in the Sound. A couple of flounder are scattered throughout, but not many. Nassau Sound is where I caught my two largest flounder ever. One was 13.5 pounds and the other was 14.5 pounds. I wish they would show up like that again. Yellow-mouth trout are finally showing up in the St. Johns again—some really nice ones, too. It’s about time. Remember, take your trash back with you to the ramp. Don’t let paper blow out of your boat and please keep those drink cans I see everywhere in your cooler.-----
Capt. Vic was born in Jacksonville, Florida and has fished the same local waters for 50 years. He is one of only a few full-time guides in the area and currently one of only two IGFA Certified Captains in Jacksonville. He specializes in shallow water light tackle angling and knows every sand bar, oyster bed, drop off, rock ledge, deep hole, feeding spot and spawning ground in the area. Capt. Vic co=hosts WOKV’s “Just Fishing” radio show; is the regional director for the Florida Guides Association; a member of the American Professional Captain’s Association, among others, and sponsors the Inshore Saltwaters Angler’s Clue. Remember, when you want to fish, just call... Vic 2 Fish. Contact Info: Capt. Vic Tison(p) 904 699-2285(e) vic2fish@aol.com(w) vic2fish.com
Old Man Winter has settled in on the East Coast of Florida, and as always, weather and temperature play primary factors in determining your tactics and success. Many tropical species like snook, tarpon, jacks and mullet have traveled south for the winter or migrated upstream into the creeks and rivers seeking the warmest water they can find. As water temperatures drop, so do the metabolisms of many species, so it is important to seek out warm water locations and slow down your bait presentation. Additionally, feeding patterns of many species change as their available forage changes. With these thoughts in mind, fishing gets better as the day warms up, so sleep in and have another cup of coffee as early morning starts are not recommended.On the flats of Mosquito and Indian River Lagoons and other non-tidal estuaries, falling temperatures and water levels set the stage for some of the best sight fishing experienced all year. The water is shallow and clear and the fish are spooky, so a stealth presentation and long cast are critical. As the sun begins to warm the water, target sandy potholes within the expansive grass flats where both redfish and seatrout lay seeking the warmth of the sun’s reflection on the sand. On colder days, target areas of deeper locations where the water is a few degrees warmer, and slow down your presentation. Some other warm water refuges are concrete structures that hold heat longer like seawalls, ramps and bridges, and deeper holes with black muck bottoms that absorb heat. As the day grows longer and the flats heat up, the feeding and tailing activities of redfish and black drum improve. Another very important part of the equation is to match the hatch. Remember, as stated earlier, mullet are tropical fish, so during the winter the primary forages on the lagoon switches from finfish to crustaceans like shrimp and crabs. When targeting redfish, black drum and seatrout during the colder months, I like to downsize my bait, slow down my presentation and fish with shrimp or crab imitation baits like the Rip Tide Realistic Shrimp and Crab on a Woodies Rattle’n Hook.If fly fishing is your game and large inshore game fish are your desire, nothing beats the Banana River Lagoon’s No-Motor Zone in the winter. And, nothing gets your heart pumping like the sight of a huge black drum or redfish tailing in your direction. In 1994, the federal government set aside 10,500 acres of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge to serve as a manatee refuge, restricting the use of motorized vessels of any kind. In an effort to protect the then endangered species, the government established a marine sanctuary accessible only by paddle or sail with very little angling pressure at all. The NMZ’s undeveloped shoreline and pristine sea grass beds are as close to “Old Florida” as it gets. It is one of the only places I know of where 40-pound black drum tail on the flats, and a well presented dark crab fly will reward you with the fight of your life.Good luck and good fishing.
Currently on Florida’s Space Coast, the fall mullet migration is in full swing; good concentrations of migrating baitfish will continue to excite both gamefish and angler alike. As the bait works its way south in the swash of the surf, bluefish, ladyfish, jack cravell, Spanish mackerel, redfish and snook keep them close along the surfs edge, with tarpon, blacktip and spinner sharks lurking in the waves eager to fulfill their position at the top of the food chain. As the baitfish move through inlets on the falling tide, breeder redfish, tarpon and snook lay in wait for an easy meal, as the fleeing mullet are forced away from the shelter of the shoreline. Additionally, November is one of the best months to target snook at Sebastian Inlet, as long as water temperatures stay above 70 degrees. In the inlets, southern and gulf flounder will be moving through once the water temperatures near the 68-degree mark, typically following the first major cold front. It’s difficult to predict the precise moment of the run, but serious flounder pounders know when the moment is right, and they’re often rewarded with doormats from 8 to 14 pounds.On the inshore waters of the lagoon, schools of pompano will begin forming up and moving thought the inlets invading the beach in search of mole crabs (sand fleas) their favorite winter food. Also look for large schools of ladyfish, jacks, Spanish mackerel, and sea trout to be working the migrating schools of bay anchovies (glass minnows) as they move south through the lagoon. Remember, spotted sea trout are out of season in November and December on Florida’s east central coast, so if you manage to catch one, please handle and release it with extreme care.Out in the deeper water, both tripletail and cobia move into the depths of 40 to 60 feet of water shadowing pods of threadfin herring (greenies) and Spanish sardines (cigar minnows) pushing south across the Canaveral shoals, often hanging just below the abundant flotsam carried inshore by the easterly breezes. Once you locate weeds and other debris, look for tripletail to be hanging just below the floating structure. Live shrimp and small jigs tipped with shrimp work well when targeting these bream on steroids. It helps to fish later in the day keeping the afternoon sun to your back to improve your range of sight, and always keep a medium-heavy rod rigged with a one-ounce chartreuse or white buck tail jig ready to throw to any cruising cobia. Also, look for the fall kingfish run to commence as well as an occasional sailfish or black fin tuna on the near-shore reefs and wrecks like 8A and Pelican Flats. Good luck, good fishing and happy holidays.
Look for loads of bull reds (oversized redfish) during the months of September and October. Huge redfish will be schooling up in the St. Johns River and at the Mayport Jetties Inlet and feeding on blue crabs, small croakers and pogies on their way out to the offshore reefs in the middle of November to start spawning. Some of the schools of redfish can top 300 while they search out enough food to last them through the first spawn. Please revive and vent (if needed) these fish to allow them to continue their trek so they'll have plenty of young for our future catches.
Many species of sharks including spinners, bulls, blacktips, nurse and bonnetheads will still be at the St. Johns River mouth until the end of October. Be very careful with sharks along boatside, especially the bull sharks-they are the meanest.
Redfish in the creeks and the ICW will get more and more active with the water temperatures cooling down from the hot summer we've had. I love to target redfish in the shallows. What I mean by shallows is when the water is less than one foot deep. Most anglers think the 'shallows' are more like 2 to 3 feet deep. I prefer to target them where I can see them (sightfishing) by sight casting to these incredible fish. Here's a good tip: if you can see the redfish in the shallows and you can't get them to eat, try a quarter of a blue crab on a Sure Catch jig and let it sit where you know the fish are. They can't resist it!
Yellow mouth trout will be feeding in the St. Johns along with some very nice whiting in the sandier areas-and don't forget about the great-tasting, strong-fighting sheepshead and black drum. Both sheepshead and black drum will slowly start biting in September in the river system just before moving out to the inlet jetties at the ocean. Then in October they'll get more active and the drum will start feeding on the slack turn of the tides. The sheepshead will bite good on all tide phases except for during the highest tide.
Mangrove snapper will be more aggressive during these two months as well.
Northeast Florida always has its fall-flounder-run starting around the end of September and running through the first part of December. We target our larger flounder species during these months. Big, frisky live mullet work best for the larger flounder, but a Berkley Gulp! 3-inch shrimp in the natural color works great, too.
Spotted sea trout will also become more active as the water cools. I love catching the larger ones on topwater lures, like my favorite, the Bomber Long A. They'll hit it like a freight train once things start cooling down.
Capt. Vic Tison
As the doldrums of summertime settle in along the Indian River Lagoon coast, nature's influence plays a significant roll in determining the quality of the bite. During the first part of July, calming seas allow boats of all sizes to venture out into the open waters of the Atlantic. These conditions facilitate quality bottom fishing, which is now banned from 90 feet of water on out, and near-shore opportunities for many shallow water anglers. They also allow bluewater anglers quick and easy access to deeper Gulf Stream waters and beyond.
Arriving around the end of July, a cold-water upwelling known as the Labrador Current gradually sweeps in from the deep, chilling water temperatures from the bottom up. In the past two years, the Labrador Current has been warmer than normal, only dropping near-shore bottom temperatures into the upper 60s. This influx of cold water can chill the bottom temperatures along the 27-fathom ridge, driving most pelagic species out into the warmer waters of the Gulf Stream or into the near-shore warm water eddies along the beach. The third factor affecting fishing in July and August is the influence of tropical summer squalls, which can and have ruined fishing opportunities in the past. Setting all of these possibilities aside, many excellent angling opportunities exist both offshore and inshore along the Indian River Lagoon coast during the summer.
Offshore, yellowfin tuna are the aim of those who are willing to make the long run east (70 to140 miles). Out of Port Canaveral and Ponce De Leon Inlet in the near-shore waters, kingfish will be the staple on the reefs and wrecks in 70 to 90 feet of water, with a mixed bag of three, wahoo, dolphin, and an accasional sailfish thrown in. In addition, sliver kings (tarpon), smoker kings (large kingfish), cobia, sharks, and supersized jacks will be shadowing bait pods along the beach and shipping channels. Inside the Inlets, Spanish mackerel, summer flounder, and mangrove snapper numbers should remain steady.
In the Lagoon, July and August are the best months to target schools of redfish forming up on the deeper edges of the flats for the late summer spawn. Additionally, summer presents outstanding top-water redfish and sea trout action, with the early morning and late evening bite being the most productive.
Capt. Tom Van Horn
As we depart from our spring fishing season and shift our focus towards summer, longer days and warmer temperatures will transition our fishery from a temperate to tropical climate zone. This transition opens the door for an array of new fishing opportunities along Florida's Space Coast.On the flats of the northern Indian River Lagoon system, the return of silver mullet and other baitfish signal the return of topwater plug fishing, with predawn/early morning and late afternoon/early evening as the primary times to target redfish, sea trout, ladyfish, and jack crevalle. Try throwing a Rapala Skitter Walk or Storm Chugbug into areas of concentrated baitfish. As the day grows longer and the topwater bite wanes, switch to subsurface soft plastics like the DOA CAL on a Woodie's Rattles Hook, sight fished on the deeper edges of the flat. In addition to baitfish, the warmer waters of summer mark the return of snook and tarpon to the north lagoon. Snook took a beating this past winter with many large breeders dying from cold exposure, so please go lightly on snook this season.Along the beaches, concentrated bait pods (Atlantic menhaden) move north and in closer to shore as the water warms. Species often encountered shadowing these bait pods in May and June are kingfish, tarpon, cobia, sharks, redfish, and jack crevalle. As we move into June and the summer doldrums begin to settle in, sea conditions will allow smaller vessels to venture offshore in search of these gamesters. When venturing offshore in a smaller vessel, remember safety is of the utmost importance, so watch the seas, fuel levels, and the return of afternoon storms.Calm seas also make May a prime month for blue water anglers with the dolphin migration north being the primary focus. Also in the mix are tuna, wahoo, kingfish, sailfish, and an occasional marlin for adventurous offshore anglers. When targeting these species, look for color and temperature changes (rips and lines), in 120 feet of water and deeper, and in areas of concentrated flotsam. In addition, let's not forget the kingfish, cobia, and assorted bottom species available on the near-shore reefs and wrecks of Bethel Shoals, Pelican Flats, Chris Benson, and 8A reef. Remember, May and June are the most active months for near shore and offshore tournaments out of Ponce Inlet, Port Canaveral, and Sebastian Inlet with events scheduled every weekend. So please be courteous and patient at the ramps and on the water, and let's have some fun fishing this summer.Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Hornwww.irl-fishing.com
With the long hard winter behind us, anglers on Florida’s Space Coast eagerly embrace the returning summer heat, warming water temperatures and the return of pelagic species to the east Florida waters. Many tropical and sub-tropical species of fish migrated south or to deeper waters during the winter, and as the days grow longer and the waters warms, they return to or migrate back through our rich coastal waters.??Ten days of freezing weather in January served a cruel blow to many of our inshore species of fish and wildlife, but several species like redfish and black drum suffered very little impact. On the flats, redfish and black drum will provide the majority of the action for light tackle spin and fly anglers. A large number of breeder-size sea trout and snook were trapped in shallow water and expired during the extended freeze, so if you target sea trout or snook, please practice catch and release to give the fishery a chance to rebound. Additionally, as the water warms up, jack crevalle, ladyfish, snook, and tarpon will begin to show up. Currently, the Port Canaveral Locks and the power plants in Port Saint John are loaded with jacks and ladyfish. Offshore in the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, spring marks the beginning of the fishing season for many blue water anglers with the commencement of the spring dolphin run. In mid to late March and April, significant numbers of migrating dolphin begin to return or pass through our region, with some of the largest bulls caught all year arriving first. These larger fish are soon followed by concentrated schools, which begin to thin out near the end of May. As we move in closer along the near-shore reefs and wrecks in 60 to 90 feet of water, kingfish numbers will increase and cobia are still commonplace.??Along the beach, pods of baitfish, Atlantic menhaden (pogies), threadfin herring (greenies), and bay anchovies (glass minnows), move in close shadowed by ocean predators. It is not uncommon to find schools of large jack crevalle and redfish, blacktip sharks, cobia, and tarpon within these bait pods creating a mixed bag of angling opportunity. To locate bait pods, simply look for diving birds, flipping and jumping bait, and busting fish.When fishing in Florida this spring, please practice conservation and good ethics and enjoy your time on the water.Good luck and good fishing,Captain Tom Van Horn
Reflecting back on 2009, recreational anglers across America have been faced with challenges threatening to limit or even shut down our fisheries. Snapper, grouper and amberjack closures in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic, new marine protection areas or no-take zones on both coasts of America, and in Florida, sea grass protection areas for manatees just to name a few. The troops are mustering and the battle lines are being drawn on both sides, but who holds the middle ground?
For the past several New Years, I've resolved to enlighten anglers on the many attributes to angling and life in the outdoors, and as a director for Anglers for Conservation, I believe recreational anglers are our own worst enemies in many ways. The majority of us know the value of our angling resources and since the days of Teddy Roosevelt, we have lead the way in conservation and resource protection, but in light of recent developments, we are looked upon as the bad guys in our quest to preserve our heritage and rights to fish.
The AFC is a new nonprofit organization with a mission to create a new generation of coastal stewards using community-based angling education, habitat restoration, habitat preservation and applied conservation science. Our primary educational tool is a program called Hook Kids on Fishing, where kids and parents alike learn basic fishing skills, encouraging them to use not abuse our priceless resources. We reached out to thousands of kids across Florida last year, and in December of 2009 we introduced our newest program, Conservation Angler Certification. The certified Conservation Angler, upon completion of a free four-hour course, will have not only learned and demonstrated the skills necessary to leave a lighter footprint while on the water, but also voluntarily taken a pledge to practice good conservation and good ethics both on and off the water. The AFC is still in its incipient stage, so stay tuned for more details.
As water levels and temperatures drop, clear and shallow conditions on the inshore flats will make sight-fishing conditions the best we will see all year. Mullet and other finfish have migrated out of the area for the winter, so with that said, anglers should switch to smaller shrimp and crabs and slower presentation. When targeting inshore species during the colder months, I like to downsize my bait and fish with a shrimp or crab imitation like the DOA Shrimp and Crab combined with a Woodie's Rattle Hook or Rattle Jig. Also, January and February are key months for targeting tailing black drum on the exclusive Banana River No-Motor Zone.
Near shore, look for tripletail concentrations to improve greatly along the Port Canaveral buoy line and under floating weeds and structure, and for cobia to move in shadowing manta rays if the surface water temperatures reach the upper 60s. If we experience an extended period of warm weather or mid-winter thaw, look for a mid-winter cobia run to commence.
Now is also the time for surf anglers to target pompano, bluefish, weakfish, small black drum, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel and whiting off of the beaches, and larger redfish and flounder around the inlets of Ponce De Leon, Port Canaveral and Sebastian.
Catch-em-up, and reward yourself by taking a kid fishing, and taking the class and pledge to be a Conservation Angler. Our numbers with help draw all concerned about our resources up on to the middle ground.
Tight lines and good fishing for generations to come and happy New Year,
Captain Tom Van Horn
Photo courtesy of Tom Biffar.
N/D 2009 - Capt. Van HornPort Canaveral and North Indian River Lagoon Forecast
Cooler weather and exceptional fishing are what fall delivers to the Indian River Lagoon Coast of Florida. Tropical weather system are waning in the Atlantic, giving way to the arrival of our seasonal cold fronts, as the fall bait run nears an end.
This year's bait run started early, and in some locations finger mullet schools are thinning out, but reports of heavy bait concentrations to the north indicate more is yet to come. Large tarpon, snook, sharks, jack crevalle and breeder redfish will all be present in the inlets and along the beach as the feeding frenzy continues.
November is one of the best months to target snook at Sebastian Inlet. In addition, large flounder and oversized redfish should begin to show up on the Port Canaveral buoy line and in the inlets, and their numbers will increase as the flounder begin their seaward migration out of the lagoon. Also, let's not forget the increased numbers of schooling Spanish mackerel and bluefish shadowing schools of finger mullet and glass minnows along the beach.
On the lagoon, schools of pompano will form up and move off of the lagoon flats through the inlets, and invade the beach in search of mole crabs (sand fleas) their favorite winter food. Currently, reports of skipping pompano have been coming from anglers working the flats in the north Indian River Lagoon, and the flats on the east shore of the Indian River Lagoon south of Titusville. Also look for large schools of ladyfish, jacks, Spanish mackerel and small sea trout to be working the migrating schools of glass minnows as they move south in deeper water through the lagoon.
As water temperatures cool, look for cobia and tripletail numbers to increase along the Port Canaveral Buoy line and on flotsam, both inshore and offshore. When you find weeds and other debris, look for tripletail to be hanging just below the floating structure. Live shrimp and small jigs tipped with shrimp work well when targeting these brim on steroids. For artificial bait, nothing works better than a well presented DOA Shrimp. Also when sight fishing, it's important to keep the sun to your back to improve your range of sight, and to keep a medium-heavy rod rigged with a one-ounce chartreuse or white buck tail jig ready to throw to any cruising cobia. Also, look for the fall kingfish run to commence, as well as an occasional sailfish or blackfin tuna on the near-shore reefs and wrecks, like 8A and Pelican Flats.
Offshore November/ December 09Capt. Ron Neff
This time of year brings the best bottom fishing. But this will become difficult with the closures on our fisheries come January. Fuel gets cheaper, the boat runs better and the fish are chewing. Let's get out there and catch some of the biggest grouper and snapper of the year and quite possibly the last time in our lives we will be able to enjoy offshore bottom fishing. With a campaign by the head of NOAA fisheries calling for a 35-year total closure on bottom fishing in the South Atlantic waters. (I hope everyone caught that... a 35-year total closure on fishing for everyone) Enjoy it while we still can. Plan to break some fish off this winter, these fish are large and with the water temps lowering, they are frisky.
The near shore waters will be holding many species of fish. The grouper and snapper will be on the known, and not so known, areas out front and they will be hungry. Live bait will entice the larger species and dead bait will work to fire up a bite. Look for a run of cobia, as they will still be around. This has been a strange year with a multitude of cobia all summer long. Kingfish will be here and there, but not quite as thick as the summer kingfish season. There should, however, still be a few smokers. Gear up for big fish or you will lose a lot of tackle and may not even get one in the boat.
The offshore waters outside of 25 miles in 100 feet of water or more, will be a good bet for some really big and hungry fish. The bottom bite out there gets extremely good in November and December. Be ready for some monsters. Amberjacks, grouper and red snapper will be loaded up on the wrecks and reefs and the 28-fathom line, as well as the steeples. The deeper waters hold many species like tilefish, rose fish big porgy's and large scamp grouper. These species tend to move in a bit and there have been tilefish caught in water as shallow as 280 feet during the winter months. Lots of exhausting fun to have out there when the bite is on.
If the bottom is not your game, there may be some sailfish left out on the Gulf Stream edge and maybe a few dolphin or a stray wahoo. It is a tough call on the troll bite--it can be sparse in the winter so bring the bottom gear.
When you get the right weather to head offshore in November and December, I'm sure you'll be happy with the day. The boat ramps are not crowded, the radio is quiet and the fish are chewing the bottom out of the boat. Get out there and get 'em before it's illegal. Be safe and have fun.
Capt Ron Neffwww.absolutetrip.com386-689-2037