Mosquito Creek Outdoor's Indian River Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, July 8, 2010

By Captain Tom Van Horn

Upcoming Classes, Seminars and Events

Saturday July 10th from 10 a. m. to noon at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 S. Washington Ave. in Apopka Florida. Free seminar on "Inshore Summer Tactics for Redfish and Sea Trout" instructed by Captains Chris Myers and Tom Van Horn. Come learn the secrets to catching redfish and sea trout during the summer, and become a more successful angler.

** Tackle Blowout Sale on going this week at Mosquito Creek Outdoors with select rod and reels discounted as much as 80% while they last.

This Week's Report

In my last report, near-shore water temperatures were cooling down, and I had the feeling the cold water Labrador Currents were moving in. Well, what a difference a week makes, because it appears that we were only experiencing a brief influx of cold water. The water temperatures have returned to normal summer levels (above 80 degrees) in most areas off of the beaches with a few cold pockets remaining. Along with the return of the warm water, huge pods of pogies (Atlantic menhaden) are on the beach and pods of greenies (threadfin herring) are in deeper water (30 to 40 foot range) and the gamesters are right there with them.


Kirk's Frisky Beach Kingfish


Over the holiday weekend, the cobia were thick in the deeper water surrounding the shoals with many boats returning with their limits and big fish as well. In the 20 to 40 foot depth range, the kingfish, bonita, sharks and tarpon were plentiful and feisty, and the big tarpon were on the beach in good numbers.


Rick Fowler's Respectable Kingfish

On all three of the charters I had last week, we caught kingfish, sharks and bonita, and jumped big tarpon on each trip, but we were 0 and 12 in getting a solid hook into one of the silver kings. In addition to warm water and good numbers of fish, flat seas and cloudy dry conditions made for some great fishing.

In the lagoons, the redfish have begun to school up for their late summer spawn, and if you know where to look, you will find fish. Also, the black mullet have returned in such great numbers it's hard to imagine that there are any hungry fish left out there. None the less, the sea trout, ladyfish and bluefish bite has off the hook fishing DOA CAL baits under a popping cork fished on the deeper edges of the flats in 3 to 4 feet of water.

Be sure to check out the July 2010 Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando in print and online for free at www.coastalanglermagazine.com.

As always, if you need information or have any questions, please contact me.

Good luck and good fishing,

Captain Tom Van Horn
www.irl-fishing.com
mosquitocoast@cfl.rr.com
407-366-8085 office
407-416-1187 on the water

For all you outdoor shopping needs, visit Mosquito Creek outdoors at www.mosquitocreek.com.



Greetings!

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As a subscriber, you will receive my weekly fishing reports and monthly fishing forecast before they are posted to my website. As always, it is my desire to assist you in becoming a better angler and steward of our fragile resource by sharing my outdoor adventures with you. Together, we can experience the best outdoor adventures Florida has to offer. If you have any questions or needs for specific information or have a topic you would like included, please let me know. Also, if you like what your read in this message, please pass it along to a friend.

Captain Tom Van Horn
Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters




Mosquito Creek Outdoors Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Forecast, July 2010

July's Fishing Outlook

The mid summer doldrums are currently upon us and there is no mistaking, summer has arrived on the Indian River Lagoon Coast of Florida. July is also the time of year when summer squalls (tropical weather systems) and offshore water temperatures are unpredictable. Just when the bite is on and 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 these possibilities aside, many opportunities for angling adventures exist for us both inshore and offshore on the lagoon coast in July.

For those who are equipped and willing to venture offshore into the Gulf Stream and beyond, the yellow fin tuna bite has been and will continue be exceptional. These expeditions require dependable equipment, a sea worthy vessel, and a knowledgeable and skillful skipper, and it's prudent to make sure all of your safety equipment is in order before even considering a tuna trip.




On the Port Canaveral buoy line and along the beaches, an assorted mixed beach bag is available with smoker kings (large king mackerel), silver kings (tarpon), cobia, sharks, barracuda, and colossal jacks (school busses) 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, and some nice fish were taken on the Port Canaveral buoy line. As the month progresses, these fish should begin moving north along the beach to their favorite summertime haunt off the bight of the Cape.

In the Port and inlets, Spanish mackerel, summer flounder and mangrove snapper numbers should remain steady. To target the flounder and snapper, try using DOA shrimp or CAL Tail 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 redfish schools have already started forming up for their late summer spawn, and the sight of 200 feeding redfish is incredible. Also, look for snook and mangrove snapper along shoreline edges, docks, and other structure, and juvenile tarpon in the creeks, canals and backwaters where water is flowing out of impoundments and creeks. In deeper water, look for ladyfish and small trout to be shadowing schools of bay anchovies (glass minnows) under clouds of feeding terns, and let us not forget the early morning and late evening sea trout bite on top-water.

As the days heat up, remember that long battles will kill your fish, so if you plan on targeting large fish, you may want to step up your tackle to shorten the battle. Also, warm water holds less dissolved oxygen, so leave your catch in the water as much as possible, and revive them completely before releasing them.

In closing, let us be respectfully of the resource, the fishery, and each other while on the water over the holiday, and let's be thankful for those who have and are serving this great country of ours in the name of freedom.

As always, if you have any questions or need help, please contact me.

Good luck and good fishing,

Captain Tom Van Horn
Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
www.irl-fishing.com
(407) 416-1187 on the water
(407) 366-8085 landline


For all you outdoor shopping needs, visit Mosquito Creek outdoors at www.mosquitocreek.com.


Mosquito Creek Outdoors Angler Improvement Clinics

Free Fishing Classes

To be successful, learn from the best.
Veteran lagoon fishing guides Captains Chris Myers and Tom Van Horn will provide instruction on the skills and techniques necessary to become a more successful angler through free seminars, provided as a service to you by Mosquito Creek Outdoors and Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando. Would you like to learn what it takes to be a successful Angler? Here is your chance and all it will cost you is your time.

aptain Tom Van Horn: Captain Tom is a lifelong Central Florida native with over 45 years experience fishing Florida's waters and over 10 years experience guiding anglers to the catch of their lives on the Indian River Lagoon Coast of Florida. His fishing experience covers all aspects of angling, including freshwater lakes and rivers, saltwater flats, and near-shore Atlantic coastal fishing. Captain Tom is also owner and publisher of Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando and an accomplished outdoor writer with over 100 articles published. Captain Tom currently serves on the pro staffs of Mosquito Creek Outdoors, Evolution Rods, Daiwa, DOA Lures, TTI Blakemore and Daiichi Hooks, Maui Jim Sunglasses, Woodies Rattles, Frog Toggs, and Kaynoe Paddle Products.
Captain Chris Myers: Captain Chris Myers operates Central Florida Sight Fishing Charters. He specializes in sight fishing the flats of the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River with light tackle and fly. Capt. Chris has twenty years of experience fishing Mosquito Lagoon. He is a pro staff member for DOA Lures, Woodies Rattles, Daiwa, and Temple Fork Flyrods.