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July 7th, 2008 Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report
Compliments of Mosquito Creek Outdoors
Mosquito Creek Outdoors, Fishing Outlook
br> Summertime has officially arrived on the space coast, as the mid summer doldrums are currently among us. It's also the time of year when tropical weather systems and offshore water temperatures are as predictable as Wall Street. Just when you think you've got things figured out, a summer squall will blow in and kick up the seas, or the cold water Labrador Current will move in and shut down the seaward bite. Setting all these possibilities aside, many opportunities for angling adventures exist for us both inside and outside on the Lagoon Coast in July.
Near-shore, kingfish will be the staple on the reefs and wrecks in 70 to 90 feet of water, with a mixed bag of three, wahoo, dolphin, and an occasional sailfish, thrown in. My preferred method for targeting these species is slow trolling live bait (pogies) on steel stinger rigs dresses with King Duster skirts.
On the Port Canaveral buoy line and along the beaches, an assorted beach bag is available with smoker kings (large king mackerel), silver kings (tarpon), cobia, sharks, and colossal jacks all available at any given time. To target these species, focus your attention in areas of bait concentrations. This past week, pods of large tarpon and sharks were located between Patrick AFB and Satellite Beach. As the month progresses, these fish should begin moving north along the beach to their favorite summertime haunt in the forbidden zone off the bight of the Cape.
In the Port and inlets, Spanish mackerel, summer flounder and mangrove snapper number should remain steady. To target the flounder and snapper, try using Rip Tide's new realistic shrimp on a ¼ to ½ ounce jig head in the areas of structure and along sandy drop-offs. Cast the jig as close to the structure as possible without getting snagged, and let it sink to the bottom. Once it's reached the bottom, slowly drag it back letting it rest every foot or so.
Inshore, July is the best time of the year to catch redfish in shallow water. Large schools have already started forming up, and the sight of 200 feeding redfish is mind-boggling. Once you've finished drooling over redfish, look for snook, and top water snapper along mangrove edges, and juvenile tarpon in the creeks, canals and backwaters. In deeper water, look for ladyfish and small trout to be shadowing schools of bay anchovies (glass minnows) under clouds of feeding terns.
As always, if you have any questions or need information, please contact me.
Mosquito Creek Outdoors IRL Coast Fishing Repot
Over the years I've embraced the philosophy of helping anglers and outdoor enthusiast alike improve their success and enjoyment on the water through my published fishing reports, articles, and seminars. My beliefs are simple, if you reach out and help others succeed, their success will help you succeed. This line of thinking was further embraced a year and a half ago when my good friend and mentor Paul Faircloth of Mosquito Creek Outdoors in Apopka Florida reached out to me by sponsoring this report.
Larry Carter with A Rip Roller Redfish
Well, this past week my wife Sandi and I decided to kick this report up another notch by making the decision to purchase the Coastal Angler Magazine Greater Orlando Franchise. For years, I've been a strong supporter of Coastal Angler Magazine, and I've adopted and strongly support their belief to "Promote the Use, Not the Abuse" of our fragile outdoor resources. Like all major hurdles in life, this one doesn't come without challenges and sacrifices. The new face of CAM is now
two fold. The full circulation (60,000 copies and growing to 100,000 by year's end) publication contains the same quality information and conservation massage as it always has, with the addition of more content and better graphics. The inside Orlando section of the publication will be loaded with local information written by local anglers and Captains, covering both fresh and saltwater fishing forecast and information.
Remember what I said about helping others, well each of the nine Captains writing for the magazine have agreed to assist me in this endeavor, and together we will carry the Greater Orlando outdoor and fishing community to a new level.
As mentioned earlier, some sacrifices have to be made, which was the case last week as I was off of the water supporting magazine distribution and sales. I will still be fishing and guiding as much as possible, but it will be to a lesser degree. I'm also planning to continue to facilitate your informational needs by continuing this news letter, but it will contain information provided by many other credible sources.
Mark Blyth Releases a Fisty Bonito
This past week, the near-shore bite has shifted from along the beach to the near-shore reefs and wrecks like Chris Benson, 8A Reef, and Pelican Flats. I believe the cold water Labrador Current is starting to move in because of the number of cobia being caught. Most anglers and Captains I talked to experienced good days on the reefs last week. Another challenging factor has been the lack of significant live bait (pogies) along the beach. The pogies that have been caught have been thinly spread out and in very close to the beach, so be real carful when casting for baitfish. Last week there was a flats boat swamped by a larger set of waves, so please be careful. Also, don't forget that medium size mullet also make great live trolling bait, so you might consider a visit to the Lagoon first before venturing offshore. I have also heard that the best tarpon action has been in the area of Ponce De Leon Inlet in New Smyrna.
On the inside of the Lagoon, Captain Chris Myers reports that the low water levels remain, but the fishing has been good, so read Captain Chris's report as well.
As always, if you have any questions or need more information, please contact me.
Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn
http://www.irl-fishing.com/
407-416-1187 on the water
407-366-8085 land line
866-790-8081 toll free
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