Mosquito Creek Outdoors Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing 11-22

[Fishing Report]

Mosquito Creek Outdoors Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, November 6, 2010



By Captain Tom Van Horn



Seminars and Events



Tuesday, November 9th, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, Orlando Kayak Fishing Club Meeting (open to all) in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoor in Apopka Florida.



Saturday, November 20th, 9:30 - 10:30 AM, "Free Seminar" Fishing with the Pros instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn and Chris Myers, Basic fishing open forum, followed by "Preparing for the Shad Run & Crappie Season & Shad Derby Meeting" 10:30 - 11:30 AM in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington Ave., Apopka Florida.



This Weeks Fishing Report



As anglers we often have good days and bad days on the water, even though it is often said that a bad day of fishing beats a good day at work anytime. Well last week I had one of those bad days as the main barring on my three year old Yamaha engine unexpectedly failed. In my experience, Yamaha engines have always served me well, so nonetheless I was very disappointed when my mechanic confirmed my worst fears. The ironic thing about the whole situation is the fact that I have just made my last boat payment the week before, and I was thinking about spending my extra funds on some updates and improvements. The other bad thing about the situation is that on Friday of next week, I'm scheduled to spend the whole week fishing down in Sebastian on my annual pilgrimage for flounder and pompano. For the past 29 years, I've spent the third week of November fishing with family and friends, and for the first time, my fishing adventure looked like it would be from shore.

Typically when life delivers us a setback, as bad as it may seem at the time, good things end up happening when it's all said and done. This seems to have been the case with in this situation as the fine folks at Central Florida Marine in Maitland Florida have generously offered me the opportunity to field test one of their new Mosquito Bay Skiffs for the whole week. They are also going to allow me to use the skiff to cover my charters until my Maverick is back on line. The Mosquito Bay Skiff is a new technical poling skiff built factory direct in Orlando that offers affordable and practical quality, instead of extravagant expense, and I'm excited for the opportunity to fish from the new boat. I will let you know more about the skiff in my next report when I return from Sebastian. To check out the new Mosquito Bay Skiff for yourself, drop by Central Florida Marine on Hwy. 1792 in Maitland or visit their website at http://www.mosquitobayskiffs.com.




Mosquito Bay Skiff






As our first significant cold front of the year passes; we are still waiting for a cool down in ocean temperatures. Cooler water temperatures will enhance the feeding frenzy we've experienced these past few weeks. With nighttime air temperatures in the lower 50's, this week could mark the arrival of the fall cobia and tripletail run and the flounder migration out of the inlets.

Last week heavy seas kept most anglers off of the water, but the seas should be settling down and by Wednesday conditions should be ideal. Large schools of Spanish mackerel are currently feeding on schools of glass minnows in the near-shore waters just outside Port Canaveral and along the beach. Small plastic jigs and spoons are the preferred bait, providing fast and furious action on light tackle. Large redfish are still holding around the North Jetty and along the Port Canaveral buoy line as well as the inlet passes of Ponce De Leon and Sebastian Inlet, so try bouncing live pinfish or finger mullet along the bottom during the outgoing tide.

If you prefer to fish in deeper water, there were reports of good numbers of kingfish, barracuda, and sharks showing up on 8A, and other near-shore reefs and wrecks. These fish were caught slow trolling live mullet and pogies on steel kingfish rigs.

On a side note, if you are looking for a gift for the person who has everything, Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters has gift certificates for full and half day charters available for a limited time offering 50.00 dollars off the standard rates. When paid in advance, these certificates are good for one year and can accommodate up to three angler.



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

Good luck and good fishing,

Captain Tom Van Horn

407-416-1187 on the water

http://www.irl-fishing.com

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












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


by Captain Tom Van Horn



Upcoming Seminars and Events


November's Fishing Outlook




As I sit down to write my November outlook, I can't help but think about all the wonderful fishing adventures I've experienced this month. 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 fishing. For the majority of my working life, I have taken a week off in November to do nothing but fish in Sebastian, and again mid month I will test their tolerance once more.







For a whole host of reasons, November prevails as one of the most productive months to fish the Florida East Coast. 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.

The ocean temperatures are 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:

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.

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.

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.

Pompano: 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.

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.

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.

Sea Trout: Remember, sea trout are out of season from November 1st through January 1st on Florida's east coast, so if you catch one, please handle and release it with extreme care



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

Good luck and good fishing,

Captain Tom Van Horn


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

www.irl-fishing.com
captain@irl-fishing.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.






Captain 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.


Angler's Improvement Clinic Schedule:


Shad and Crappie Fishing November 20, 2010, 9:30 a.m. to Noon



For more information on the above scheduled classes, contact Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando at 407-416-1187 or online, mosquitocoast@cfl.rr.com.




Tight Lines and Let's Go Fishing,

Captain Tom Van Horn
Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
407-416-1187
http://www.irl-fishing.com