Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report

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[][size 1]This report comes from Captain Tom Van Horn of Indian River Lagoon [/size]

Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, November, 2002

[left][size 2]Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters[/size][/left] [left]As I sit here and ponder this forecast, I can’t help but fathom all the wonderful fishing adventures I’ve experienced during the month of November in Florida. It’s truly a blessing to live in such a magnificent place. I’m also blessed to have an understanding wife and family who have demonstrated extreme tolerance in respect to my passion for the water and casting a line. For the majority of my working life, I have taken a week off in November to do nothing but fish, and again this month I will test their forbearance once more. [/left] [left]For a whole host of reasons, November prevails as one of the most productive months to fish the Florida East Coast. As my good friend Captain Rodney Smith characterized in his most resent report Season of the Mullet (see CyberAngler .Com), the mullet run is in full swing with waves of silver and black mullet migrating south down the coast. Currently, the inlets are jam-packed with bait increasing the diversity of species one can expect to catch. Along with this seasonal migration of bait come cooler temperatures and an influx of predators who seek warmer waters and an easy meal.[/left] [left]The ocean temperature is still in the lower eighties, and once it begins to drop, look for an increase in the feeding activity of larger fish. The cooler waters and northeast swells act as a triggering mechanism signaling predation activity in preparation for the onset of winter. Listed below are some of the opportunities presented in November:[/left] [left]Cobia and Tripletail: As the water temperatures cool, look for cobia and tripletail on the Port Canaveral buoy line and on floating weed lines, both offshore and inshore. When you find a weed line, look for tripletail hanging just below the weeds. Small jigs or live shrimp work well in this situation. It is also important to keep a one ounce chartreuse jig rigged up and ready to throw to any cruising cobia. [/left] [left]Snook: Cooler waters will trigger the snook bite both along the beaches, and in the inlets. November is one of the best months to catch snook in the Sebastian Inlet.[/left] [left]Flounder: Ocean flounder have already begun to show up, and will greatly improve as the water cools. Good catches of flounder have been reported this week on the buoy line and inside the Canaveral Port.[/left] [left]Pompano: Large schools of pompano will soon begin to move off the lagoon flats and invade the beaches in search of sand fleas (mole crabs) their favorite winter food.[/left] [left]Red Drum: Large redfish can be found feeding in the oceans inlets. These fish range between 20 to 30 pounds. They are great fun to catch, but need to be treated and released with great care and respect.[/left] [left]Jack Crevalle and Spanish mackerel: Schools of large jacks have begun to show up in the inlets and backwaters of the lagoon. They are easy to spot and catch. Look for birds and fish busting bait on the surface and throw top water plugs, jigs, or your choice of live bait.[/left] [left]With the wind in my hair, and the sun in my face, I will weather the cold fronts; and promise not to take nature’s opportunities and November for granted. See you on the water.[/left]


[size 1]Captain Tom Van Horn
[/size][url "http://www.irl-fishing.com"]www.irl-fishing.com[/url]
[url "mailto:captain@irl-fishing.com"]captain@irl-fishing.com[/url]
407-366-8085, 866-790-8081 toll free

Good luck and good fishing,
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This has been updated 10-25-2002
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Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, October 25, 2002

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Mike Murray’s 25-pound mega redfish caught outside Port Canaveral utilizing Stren’s new 10-pound test Magnaflex line.[/center]

[size 1]You’ve got to love fishing the fall mullet run off the east coast of Florida. That is, of course if you have the opportunity to fish. Hopefully, you’re not sitting behind some desk reading this report and wishing you had tomorrow off. It’s time to take advantage of one of the best fishing opportunities nature provides us on the east coast of Florida. The fall mullet migration is in full swing with hoards of the black and silver mullet working their way South down the coast to warmer waters. This is the heaviest concentration of bait I’ve seen in many years, and along with these fish come the predators we love so much. [/size]

[size 1]This past week was one of the nicest I seen all year. The days were cool, the skies clear, the seas calm, and the fish were hungry. Sunday, I located an ocean flounder concentrated along the buoy line outside Port Canaveral and boated eight fish ranging in size from 15 to 24 inches. It was an afternoon bite, lasting about two hours. On Monday, I had the privilege of fishing a half-day charter with Doug Seymore, and Sean Haraty. We managed to catch a variety of species, including flounder, sharks, redfish, blues, and one huge spotted leopard ray. The highlight of the day came after I dropped Doug and Sean off at the dock. I returned to the buoy line, hoping to locate the afternoon flounder bite, and instead managed a single-double. I was working a drift using two rods baited with live finger mullet. I received a strong hit on one, so I placed the other in the rod holder on my poling platform. As I battled the first fish, a second fish slammed the rod in the holder. After gaining some line on the first fish, I placed the rod in the holder on the opposite side of the poling platform. I then started working the second fish gaining some line on it. I repeated this process until I managed to land two huge redfish, one 27 pounds, and the other 30 pounds. [/size][size 1][/size]

[size 1]Today, I returned to the same area with my good friend Mike Murray, and the reds were still holding in the same place. Mike and I managed to catch several large redfish, some nice flounder, and an assortment of other species. It was an exceptional end to a phenomenal week of fishing. As always, if you need any information, or have any questions, please contact me.[/size]As always, if you have any questions or need information, please contact me.

[size 1]Captain Tom Van Horn
[/size][url "http://www.irl-fishing.com"]www.irl-fishing.com[/url] [url "mailto:captain@irl-fishing.com"]captain@irl-fishing.com[/url]
407-366-8085, 866-790-8081 toll free

Good luck and good fishing,
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