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Fishing Reports
Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report
January 26, 2006
Posted by Captain Tom Van Horn
Chuluota, FL 32766 USA
Email: captain@irl-fishing.com
Current Report
Indian River Lagoon Coast
Fishing Report, 1/26/2006
Mosquito Coast Fishing
Charters
Despite windy conditions,
this weeks fishing
expeditions have produced
respectable results, and a
sore back from paddling in
the wind. The long range
forecast has blustery
conditions through the
upcoming weekend, so we will
just have to live with a bit
of breeze if we want to fish.
My first day on the water
was scouting trip in the
Mosquito Lagoon with my good
friend Captain John Kumiski,
and we found happy fish on
the first flat we checked.
The wind was from the east
at 10 to 15 knots with
overcast skies, so we
started on the east shore
and drifted the flat blindly
throwing DOA Cals, RipTide
Flats Chubs, and Stanley
Wedge Tail Jigs combined
with Woodies Rattles and we
ended up with 10 slot
redfish within the first
hour. Next, we fished our
way to the north end of
Mosquito Lagoon only to
catch a dozen or so small
sea trout. We ended the day
with a blast by watching the
launch of the New Horizons
space mission to Pluto.
My second adventure was a
trip to the No-Motor Zone on
Friday the 20th accompanied
again by my good friend
Captain John Kumiski. The
weatherman missed the mark
once more, and a northeast 5
to 10 turned into a 15 to 20
with overcast skies, not a
nice day for fly fishing
from kayaks. In spite of
the tough conditions John
still managed 6 redfish,
with 2 pushing the 20-pound
mark, all caught on black
clouser minnow. As for me,
I spent most of my efforts
keeping my kayak from
spinning in circles as the
wind blow me across the
lagoon.
On Monday the 23rd, I
returned to the No-Motor
Zone, this time in my Old
Town canoe joined by Captain
Chris Myers. Again, we
faced a stiff 15-knot south
wind, but through hard work
and determination we managed
to locate a school of large
black drum. Due to the
windy conditions, cloudy
skies, and dirty water, we
decided use spin tackle, and
Chris was the first to hook-
up throwing a green Exude
crab, only to pull hook on
the fish after a short
skirmish. It was my turn
next when a huge black drum
picked up a Gulp Crab I had
chunked out from my stern
position as Chris stood in
the front trying to spot the
school. I knew this was a
big fish by the way it
pulled drag, so my thoughts
were, even pressure, take
your time, and dont palm
the spool, but after about
10 minutes of not turning
the fish, impatiens got the
best of me, and I began to
palm the spool. Well, you
know the end to that story.
My 20-pound fluorocarbon
leader separated from the
hook, right where my loop
knot was tied. With the
wind beginning to howl, we
lost the battle to stay with
the fish, and we started
working our way back. Soon
Chris spotted a large
redfish less than 10 feet
from the boat. He flipped
his green Exude Crab out and
let it flutter to the
bottom, and to our surprise,
the big fish ate. Chris
ended up landing and
releasing a nice 30-pound
plus redfish, which would be
our only fish for the day.
Today, due to the windy
conditions, I decided to
head to the St. Johns River
and see if the American shad
had arriver, and to my
delight, I can tell you they
have. I launched at Hwy 46
south of Lake Harney, and
from there I headed south
towards Puzzle Lake. I
ended the day catching 7
shad. Five of the shad were
caught on a pink Crazy
Charlie fly, and the others
were caught on a green Hal
Fly jig. I also managed six
other species of fish,
including at least twenty 3
to 8 inch largemouth bass,
all caught on a pink Crazy
Charlie fly. By no means
where the shad jumping into
the boat, but they are
there.
As always, if you need more
information or have any
questions, please contact me.
Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn
captain@irl-fishing.com
www.irl-fishing.com
407-366-8085 office
407-416-1187 on the water
866-790-8081 toll free
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