Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, December 22, 2007
Compliments on Mosquito Creek Outdoors, Apopka, Florida
The holiday season has arrived, and more than ever families and friends are gathering to celebrate life and living. It is again time to count our many blessings and thank those who sacrifice their time and lives to defend our freedom. It is also time to relax and enjoy life with those within our circle and there is no better place than the outdoors to do this very thing. The weather this weekend shows improvement, so plan some time on the water and enjoy.
Currently, the sea state offshore is expected to reach 5 to 7 feet, so I don't think anyone will be venturing out until the seas settle around the middle of the week. Once conditions wane, look for snapper, grouper, and amberjack to be concentrated on the deeper reefs and wrecks from 120 to 240-feet. Also look for cobia holding on the near-shore wrecks from 90 to 160 feet of water. If trolling is your preference, there are still some dolphin and wahoo possible outside the 120-foot mark with an occasional sailfish mixed in, and plenty of kingfish on near-shore structure.
Along the beaches the red tide is letting up, so consider pompano, whiting, sheepshead, bluefish and Spanish mackerel off the beach, ocean piers, and in the inlets, with sand fleas, cut clams, and fresh shrimp serving as choice baits. As the temperatures on the flats warm up, look for slot redfish and sea trout to return to the shallows, and small dark colored soft plastics and cut mullet and ladyfish should produce best for them. Also, remember sea trout season is closed until January first, so please handle and release them with extreme care.
This past week, I ventured out on the freshwater side, and spent some time on the St. John's River, and although I didn't catch any, I heard of several hickory and American shad being caught. Also, as the moon grows full, look for speckle perch spawning activity to increase, and schooling bass to be feeding on small surface minnows in the confluences of small sloughs and creeks flowing off of the pastures.
Remember, fishing and boating activity will be at an elevated level this week, so please be kind and courteous to each other and the environment.
In closing, I would like to take this opportunity thank all of you who fished and worked with me in 2007, you are all truly a blessing, and I'm looking forward to a glorious 2008.
Seminar and Event Schedule:
January 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th, Central Florida Boat Show Orlando Convention Center.
January 22nd, Orlando Kayak Club Meeting, Gander Mountain in Lake Mary 7 PM, Rigging Soft Plastic Baits for Redfish and Sea Trout.
March 1st, 2nd, and 8th Bass Pro Shop Spring Fling, Orlando Florida
April 18th, 19th, 20th, Coastal Angler Magazine Boating and Fishing Expo, Melbourne, Florida.
As always, if you have any questions or need more information, please contact me.
Good luck, good fishing, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year,
Captain Tom Van Horn
Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
http://www.irl-fishing.com
407-366-8085 landline
407-416-1187 on the water
866-790-8081 toll free
Book a charter today, and let's go fishing.
Visit http://www.mosquitocreekoutdoors.com for your outdoor adventure needs, its Where the Adventure Begins!