Port Canaveral Saltwater Fishing Report
Mosquito Coast Fishing Report
Indian River Lagoon Fishing Report

Tidal Predictions Cyberangler

 USGS Streamflow for Florida

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Port Canaveral Report Updated March 5, 2010

Up Coming Events


March 27th, Free Cobia and Tripletail seminar from 10 am to noon at Mosquito Creek Outdoors in Apopka Florida, 170 South Washington Avenue. For more details visit www.mosquitocreek.com/fishing.

April 24th, Free Hook Kids on Fishing seminar from 10 am to noon at the Apopka Foliage Festival. After completing the five learning stations, each child will receive a free fishing rod, reel and tackle box. To preregister your children, visit Mosquito Creek Outdoors in Apopka Florida at 170 South Washington Avenue or contact them at (407) 464-2000.


This Weeks Report

Despite the fact that it stormed all day yesterday, and it is storming at 5 am as I'm writing this report, we had some nice fishing days last week both on the St. Johns River and the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoons. It's hard to say how the 6 inches of rain will effect fishing next week, but here's what we found last week.

On the lagoons, tailing redfish were easy to find. Most of the fish I found on the IRL were in very shallow water where mullet were holding. The reds were not schooled up very tight, but spread out through a given area. They were also very difficult to approach and even harder to catch. For what ever reason, they were not interested in artificial baits, and live shrimp were the most productive.





In the deeper canals and holes, small sea trout were plentiful. While fishing with DOA Shrimp , rootbeer and glow colors, we lost count of the small sea trout we caught. We fished in two different canal systems and we caught fish in both. When targeting these fish, cast up against the shoreline fish the DOA Shrimp extremely slow just bumping the bottom as you work in down the drop-off.

Near-shore, the colder water temperatures have kept the cobia down south of Jupiter Inlet. The water temperature here off of Port Canaveral has begun to warm up, so we only need a few more warm days with southeast winds to reach the magic numbers of 68 - 72 degrees. The run is late this year, so when they do show up we are likely to have only a few days of good fishing before they move north up the coast of Florida. So, get your rods and boat ready so you don't miss the boat when they do show up. Plus, be sure to make the free cobia and tripletail seminar Captain Chris Myers and I are giving at Mosquito Creek Outdoors an March 27th.





On the St. Johns River there are still a few American shad around, but it's anyone guess what 6 inches of rain in two days will do to the bite. It's a bit early for the catfish to move into the creeks, but the flooding condition and increased current may make it worth while to target the big channel catfish in the bends on the creeks and rivers.

Also, be sure to check out the March addition of Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando in print and online for free 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
mosquitocoast@cfl.rr.com
407-366-8085 office
407-416-1187 on the water


For all you outdoor shopping needs, visit Mosquito Creek Outdoors at www.mosquitocreek.com.


Indian Lagoon Coast Fishing Outlook, March 2010

Reflecting back on my past years here on the Space Coast, I can't remember a colder winter and as I sit here composing the forecast another cold front is passing through Central Florida. Although it's been a challenging winter for anglers, March is around the corner and with warmer weather comes improved fishing on all fronts along the Lagoon Coast.

As the days grow longer and the ocean begins its continuing warming phase, 68 to 72 degree range, the spring fishing bonanza on the Indian Lagoon Coast kicks in. As usual, weather will serve as the determining factor in establishing the magnitude and progression of the bite and the predator species we love to catch.





Water temperature increases will facilitate the progression of bait pods (menhaden or pogies) from the deeper water into the near-shore waters bringing the predators with them. Sea conditions will determine the number of fishable days we'll experience in March. This is especially true for those of us who target deep-water species in shallow water boats.Good reports of cobia are starting to come in from offshore of Stuart. These fish should be moving into our area shortly, and both the bait pods and cobia will be showing up soon on the near-shore wrecks and reefs outside Port Canaveral and Sebastian Inlet.





Other near-shore options in March consist of tripletail hanging on floating structure and weeds and large redfish and sharks shadowing bait pods along the beaches and inlets around mid month. When site fishing for cobia and tripletail, consider fishing in the latter part of the day when the sun is high as the water is warmer and visibility is better. Also, always keep a chartreuse colored buck tail in the ready position to cast at any brown clowns that wonder into range.

As the water warms up and the silver mullet returns to the inshore lagoon flats, look for redfish schools to continue to form up in the skinny water. For the slot redfish, 18 to 27 inches, focus on areas of flipping and jumping baitfish (mullet) in water depths of 12 to 18 inches. For the larger redfish, concentrate your efforts along deeper edges of the flats and sandbars in 2 to 3 feet of water. Also, sea trout will continue to hold in the skinny water potholes, and the top-water sea trout bite will improve as the warmer water draws finger mullet back onto the central IRL flats. Additionally, schools of black drum will continue to inhabit the shallow water flats of the Mosquito Lagoon, North IRL, and particularly the sandbars in the Banana River No-Motor-Zone.

Last but not least, the American shad run is developing on the upper St John's River between the areas of Lake Harney and the SR 50 Bridge, but this years run has been slow thus far. Also, March is the month to start targeting schooling large mouth bass in the deeper bends of the river at first light feeding on schools of baitfish (menhaden). The indicator I use to locate these schooling bass is to look for large numbers of white pelicans, herons, and egrets working the banks. Once you've located the schooling fish, try throwing a rattle-trap or other small subsurface swim bait. Water levels are higher this spring on the St. Johns River, so please be careful when navigating the river and creeks as the water is above the banks in some areas.

Spring is one of the best times to fish the Indian River Lagoon coast of Florida. So if you are planning to visit the area, make sure you book your hotel and fishing guide early. Also, when the bite is on, the ramps fill up quickly, so arrive early, be polite and considerate with other anglers, because we are all on the water for the same reasons, to have fun.

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
407-366-8085 office

407-416-1187 on the water


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



Tight Lines and Let's Go Fishing,

Captain Tom Van Horn
captain@irl-fishing.com
Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
Near Shore & Inshore Flats Fishing
Capt. Tom Van Horn
407-366-8085 Cell 407-416-1187
Toll Free 866-790-8081

BY: CAPTAIN JACK JACKSON

She was born in Louisville, Kentucky some short 55 years ago. Raised the daughter of an avid outdoorsman, she grew up on dove, rabbit, and a lot of bluegills, bass, and crappie. Charlene learned to fish with a canepole at the side of her father, spending two weeks every summer, fishing for perch and northern pike just outside the town of Cedarville, Michgan.

While she loved to fish, her main thrust in life was always as a care-giver, whether it be to her family or others in need. She graduated from St. Louis University as a Physical Therapist, but then joined a red-headed fishermen on their new "Ship of Fate". It was here that her real colors of devotion to her husband and family became obvious.

She loved being on and in the water. Two weeks into her married life, we spent a week in the Land-Between-the-Lakes in SW Kentucky with my family. She wanted to take her trusted canepoles to fish with, but her new "know-it-all" husband had better equipment: real stuff like Mitchell 300’s and Ambassador reels. The cane poles stayed home. After three days of being flooded by torrential rains and no fish, we left, driving by the launch ramp one more time. One small boat with two old fishermen was just pulling in with a stringer of bass that turned us green with envy. Asked how they caught them, they reported that they just used canepoles and worms in the treetops. Charlene never said a word, but she had that "I told you so!" smile on her lips.

She did whatever it took to make her family happy. As a newlywed, she followed me down an old creek in Southwestern Ohio in the middle of the night looking for frogs. The snakes and spiders that she despised didn’t bother her that night.

Unquestioning, she followed me to Western New York for my first job, while putting her career on hold. When she was six months pregnant, she went along on a camping trip some 500 miles north of Toronto to Lake Abitibi and the Ghost River. Hanging over the bow of our small boat she would scan the waters in front and yell "log!" so we could pull up the motor and not shear another pin on the propeller. After reaching the calm deep waters adjacent to the big lake, she would apply her fishing skills and catch all she wanted. She put up with a lot on that trip. I can still see her retreating into the woods after my father announced that we were having fried trout for breakfast.

Eventually, after having three little fishes of our own, we found ourselves back in the Midwest, but still looking for water. Once again, placing all her faith in me, we packed up once more and moved to Vero, her own "piece of heaven".

With the kids now in school, Charlene could turn back to her care skills. While she watched me fish, she took care of her patients. Every so often, the two of us would get time to fish. Now, it was never enough.

A marriage is similar to a fishing trip. It begins with great anticipation and planning. Once underway, changes are made to produce the best results. Sometimes you are lucky enough to just relax and just drift with currents enjoying your partner and the surroundings. Sometimes you both have to paddle like mad just to stay afloat. Afternoon thunderstorms can arise, but as in marriage, you take cover, ride them out, and wait for the sun to reappear. With any luck, the two of you will get to enjoy a beautiful sunset at the end of the day, reminiscing of things caught and lost. Sometimes the day ends much to quickly, yet always leaves you with memories of a lifetime, loving memories of Charlene, my wife and partner.

Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters

As the days grow longer and the ocean begins its gradual warming phase, the spring fishing bonanza on the Indian Lagoon Coast commences. As always, weather will serve as the determining factor in establishing the magnitude and progression of the bite.

Water temperature increases will facilitate the progression of bait pods (menhaden and mullet) from the deeper water into the near-shore waters bringing the predator fish with them. Sea conditions will determine the number of fishable days we'll experience in March. This is especially true for those of us who target deep-water species in shallow water boats.

Good catches of cobia have been reported offshore of Stuart, and these fish should be moving into our area soon. Both the bait pods and cobia have begun to show up outside Port Canaveral and Sebastian in deeper water. Once the water warms, look for the large manta rays and bait pods to move inshore bringing cobia with them. When site fishing for cobia, keep the sun to your back and consider fishing in the latter part of the day when the sun is high. Also always keep a chartreuse colored buck tail in the ready position to cast towards any white-banded big mouth brown logs you see.

Other near-shore options consist of tripletail hanging on floating structure weeds and buoys, and giant redfish, jumbo jack carvalle and sharks shadowing bait pods near the beaches and inlets. The window of opportunity for cobia can be short, so plan your trip, and pray for calm seas and hungry fish.

Inshore on the lagoon flats, look for redfish schools to continue to form up in the skinny water flats. For the slot size redfish, focus on areas of flipping and jumping baitfish (mullet) in water depths of 12 to 18 inches, and look for the larger redfish along deeper edges of the flats and sandbars in 2 to 3 feet of water. Also, larger sea trout will continue to hold in the skinny water potholes, and the top-water sea trout bite will improve as the warmer water draws returning finger mullet back into the central IRL. Additionally, schools of black drum will continue to inhabit the shallow water flats of the Mosquito Lagoon, North IRL, and particularly the sandbars in the Banana River No-Motor-Zone.

Last but not least, the American shad run is in full swing in the upper St John's River between the areas of Lake Harney and the SR 50 Bridge. Also, March is the month to start targeting schooling large mouth bass in the deeper bends of the river at first light feeding on schools of baitfish (menhaden). The signal I us to locate these schooling bass, is to look for large numbers of white pelicans, herons, and egrets working the banks. Once you've located the schooling fish, try throwing a rattle-trap or other small subsurface swim bait.

Spring is one of the best times of year to fish the Indian River Lagoon coast of Florida. So if you are planning to visit the area for a fishing adventure, make sure you book your hotel and fishing guide early. Also, when the bite is on, the ramps fill up quickly, so arrive early, and be courteous and considerate with other anglers, because we are all on the water for the same reasons.

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

Good luck and good fishing,