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Fishing Reports
Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Forecast
June 30, 2006
Posted by Captain Tom Van Horn
Chuluota, FL 32766 USA
Email: captain@irl-fishing.com
Current Report
Indian River Lagoon Coast
Fishing Forecast, July 2006
Mosquito Coast Fishing
Charters
One of the major
tribulations one encounters
along the 156-mile stretch
of the Indian River Lagoon
coast during the summer is
which one of the many
angling prospects will I
pursue. With over 700
documented species of fish
calling the east coast of
Florida home, this diversity
can make for some tough
decisions. Will I fish
offshore in the blue water,
near-shore along the reefs,
in close off of the beach,
inshore in the lagoon,
decisions, decisions,
decisions? Well, this is
always a good problem to
have, and whatever you
decide, dont miss the boat
on some of the best fishing
experienced all year.
As always, nature holds the
upper hand in setting the
stage for water conditions
and fish behavior, and
during the summer, two major
phenomenons influence the
extent of the bite. First,
we have our beloved summer
squalls ushered in on the
shoulders of a tropical
fetch, for which we have
become too familiar.
Secondly, an upwelling known
as the Labrador Current
pushes up from the depths of
the sea, chilling down ocean
temperatures from the bottom
up. Both occurrences can
have a major impact, but
their duration and magnitude
is anyones guess.
Offshore in the Gulf Stream,
water temperatures are
fairly consistent, with July
and August being excellent
months to target yellow fin
tuna for those willing to
make the long run east (70
to 150 miles). July also
marks the beginning of the
mid summer doldrums bring
calmer seas, making the long
ride to the other smoother.
Bottom fishing will remain
good in July, but once the
cold water begins to push
in, many species will either
move in closer to shore
seeking warmer water, or
hightail it south.
Depending on the magnitude
of the coldwater influx,
some blue water species will
move inshore along the reefs
and wrecks like Chris
Benson, 8A, and Pelican
Flats, with kingfish,
dolphin, and cobia serving
as the primary species.
Also, cooler water has the
tendency to push manta rays
up on to the sandy shoals
off of Cape Canaveral,
bringing cobia with them.
Along the beaches, look for
silver kings (large tarpon),
smoker kings (large
kingfish), blacktip sharks,
jack crevalle, and redfish
to be shadowing pods of
pogies (Atlantic menhaden),
greenies (thread fin
herring), glass minnows (bay
anchovies), in close to
shore. Also, look for snook
fishing in the surf to
improve, as we get closer to
the commencement of the fall
bait run. Remember, snook
are out of season, so if you
target them, please handle
and release them with
extreme care.
Angling in the inlets will
continue to show improvement
with the larger tarpon,
large redfish, jacks and
sharks working bait pods
during periods of out going
tide, and Spanish mackerel
and bonita working the
smaller glass minnows.
Moving in-shore into the
lagoon, target sea trout and
redfish on the flats in
areas of mullet schools
using top water plugs during
the early morning late
afternoon hours, and at
night. Once the sun grows
hot and the top water bite
slows, switch to live bait
(pigfish) or jigs fished on
the deeper edges of the
flats. Also, July and
August is the time of year
when large schools of
ladyfish and smaller sea
trout shadow the schools of
glass minnows in the deeper
water. Last but not least,
look for the pompano schools
to be moving into the
shadows around the causeway
bridges where a well placed
Shrimp imitation jig like
the RipTide Realistic Shrimp
with a Woodies Rattle
insert tipped with either
sand fleas or fresh shrimp,
will place one of the sweet
tasting critters on the
grill for supper.
During this holiday weekend,
let us not forget those who
have in the past, and are
now defending our freedom,
because without their
sacrifice and commitment,
our liberty would be
challenged.
Good luck and good fishing
and happy Independence Day,
Captain Tom Van Horn
www.irl-fishing.com
407-416-1187 on the water
407-366-8085 0ffice
866-790-8081 Toll free
If you would like to be
added to my fishing report
mailing list, please contact
me at captain@irl-
fishing.com.
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