Mosquito Creek Outdoors Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Forecast, January 2011

[Fishing Report]

Mosquito Creek Outdoors Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Forecast, January 2011


by Captain Tom Van Horn



Upcoming Seminars and Events

January 1, 2011 Shad and Crappie Derby starts at safe light. (Both shad and crappie derbies)


Saturday, January 22nd 11:00 - 2:00 PM, Free Crappie Rally at Boat Tree Marina Sanford, "Free Seminar" Instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers and Charlie McCullough, "Catching American Shad & Crappie". Event includes sponsor displays, giveaways and a raffle with all proceeds going to Anglers for Conservation (AFC), Hook Kids on Fishing Program.

Saturday, February 12th 11:00 - 2:00 PM, Free Shad Rally at the Jolly Gator Fish Camp adjacent to CS Lee Park in Geneva, Florida - "Free Seminar" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers and Charlie McCullough, "Shad Fishing Tactics" Event includes sponsor displays, giveaways and a raffle with all proceeds going to Anglers for conservation (AFC), Hook Kids on Fishing Program.



February 28th 2011 Derby ends at sunset. (Both shad and crappie derbies)


Saturday, March 5th at 12 Noon: Shad and Crappie Derby Awards Ceremony at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington Ave., Apopka Florida.



For more details on the 2011 Central Florida Shad Derby, go to http://www.cfshadderby.com.



January's Fishing Outlook





First, let me start this forecast by wishing everyone a happy and prosperous New Year.

As always, angling opportunities in the winter are influenced by strength of passing cold fronts as they cycle through Florida, typically highlighted by a few days of strong easterly breezes followed by several really nice days. It's just a matter of keeping in touch with the weather, and being prepared to take advantage of the nice days, no excuses.

As water levels and temperatures drop, clear and shallow conditions on the Mosquito, Indian River Lagoon, and Banana River Lagoon flats facilitate some of the best sight fishing experienced all year. On clear sunny days, successful anglers' focus on quietly polling the flats is search of redfish and sea trout holding in the sandy potholes soaking up the suns warmth. An early start is not necessary, so read the paper and have an extra cup of coffee before heading to the lagoon. Additionally, mullet and other finfish have migrated out of the area for the winter, so as the predators feeding habits switch to smaller shrimp and crabs, and anglers should switch to smaller baits and a slower presentation. When targeting redfish, black drum, and sea trout during the colder months, I like to downsize my bait and fish with a shrimp or crab imitation baits like the DOA Shrimp or Crab on a Woodie's Rattle Hook. January and February are also key months for targeting tailing black drum on the exclusive Banana River No-Motor Zone. The zone is one of the only locations I know of where a well-presented black Clouser fly can land you a 25-pound drum on the flats.



Offshore, kingfish will still be consistent along the inshore reefs and wrecks, and they will remain there as long as the water temperature stays above 68 degrees. When targeting kings in January, focus your attention on bottom structure (wrecks) in the areas of 8A reef, Pelican Flats, and Bethel Shoals and the Pines to the south. Also look for cobia on the inshore wrecks like the Carol Lee, Dutch, and Sub Wreck out of Port Canaveral. Additionally, live bait is sometimes tough to find this time of year, so always carry a box of frozen Spanish sardines with you as backup.

Near-shore, look for tripletail concentrations to improve greatly along the Port Canaveral buoy line and under floating weeds and structure, and for cobia to move in shadowing manta rays if the surface water temperatures reach the upper sixties. If we expedience an extended period of warm weather, mid-winter thaw, look for a mid-winter cobia run to commence.

Now is also the time for shore anglers to target pompano, bluefish, weakfish, small black drum, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel and whiting in the surf and larger redfish and flounder around the inlets and jetties. As the water temperatures cool, the pompano will move out of the lagoon and gather in the troughs along the beach in search of mole crabs, sand fleas.



In addition to the saltwater bite, the American shad run will be improving on the St Johns River as we progress into the New Year. These aerobatic fish are great fun on fly rod or light tackle spinning gear, and they are easily targeted on blustery days when coastal fishing is tough. Water levels on the St Johns are extremely low this year, so please be careful when operating your boat








Happy New Year and 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 office

Visit www.mosquitocreekoutdoors.com for your outdoor adventure needs, its Where the Adventure Begins!








Mosquito Creek Outdoors Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, December 26, 2010

By Captain Tom Van Horn



Upcoming Seminars and Events

Shad and Crappie Derby registration materials should be available at sign-up locations by Wednesday, December 29th, visit http:www.cfshadderby.com for details on the nearest sign-up location. Also, be sure to sign up for the free 2 months of Sea Tow, courtesy of Sea Tow Central Florida Lakes.


January 1, 2011 Derby starts at safe light. (Both shad and crappie derbies)



January 22, 2011 Crappie Rally 11:00 - 2 PM at Boat Tree Marina at the Port of Sanford, "Free Seminar" Fishing with the Pros instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers and Charlie McCullough, Basic fishing open forum, followed by "Preparing for the Shad Run & Crappie Season". Event also features sponsor displays, giveaways, boat displays and demos, food, and a raffle to support the Hook Kids on Fishing Program.







This Week's Fishing Report



With hopes that your Christmas was as blessed as my, God Bless everyone.



As always the case with fishing during the winter on the Space Coast of Florida, catching is either very good or poor, depending on the weather. I my case this past week, we hit it right on several trips, and provided my anglers with the trip of a lifetime. Typically the first day or two after the frontal assault passes and the wind slows down, the fish are warmer and hungry, which was the case this past week.




Bob's IRL Redfish

Mary Lynne's Hefty IRL Redfish

Eric's No-Motor Zone Black Drum

Eric's First Redfish of the Day


Eric's 10th Redfish of the Day





Redfish Release

Currently, the weather outside is nasty and another cold front moves into Central Florida, but in a few days, conditions will improve. So spend some time with family and friends, and plan a trip to the lagoon as soon as the weather lets up.

Also, good reports of American shad have been coming from anglers fishing out of Mullet Lake Park, so we may be in for a good shad run this year.

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

Good luck and good fishing,

Captain Tom Van Horn

Mosquito Coast fishing Charters

(407) 416-1187 on the water

http://www.irl-fishing.com

For all of your holiday shopping needs, visit Mosquito Creek Outdoors in Apopka, Florida. For more details, visit http://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.






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.

Saturday, December 11th - 10: 00 - 12:00 PM, Shad & Crappie Derby Anglers Registration Meeting at Mosquito Creek Outdoors. "Free Seminars" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers and Charlie McCullough, "Preparing for the Shad Run & Crappie Season", anglers giveaways and more, located in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington Ave., Apopka Florida, http://www.mosquitocreek.com.

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