Fishing Report
May 11, 2012
Complements of Mosquito
Creek Outdoors, Apopka, FL
Upcoming Seminars and Events
Saturday May 19th 10:00 to 12 Noon "Free Seminar" Class 4 of
Fundamentals of Flats Fishing series, "Saltwater Lure (Hard Baits)
Applications" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers,
located in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington
Ave., Apopka Florida, www.mosquitocreek.com.
Thursday May 24th - 6:30 P.m. to 8:30 p.m. "Free Seminars" "Summer
Near-shore Opportunities" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris
Myers, located in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington
Ave., Apopka Florida, www.mosquitocreek.com.
This Weeks Fishing Report
As our summer time weather heats up on the Indian River Lagoon Coast
of Florida, so goes the fishing. In the Lagoons of Mosquito, Indian River
and Banana River, water levels are still low, and the water is clean
and still not showing any signs of our typical summer alga blooms. These
conditions have facilitated some of the best sea trout fishing I can
remember, with good numbers of oversize trout being caught. On several
charters over the past week, several dozen trout were caught and most
were larger fish. Our best results are coming on top-water plugs like
the Rapla Skitterwalk fished in very shallow water in the area of mullet
schools. As for redfish, the catching has been tough in the areas I've
been fishing.
Dave McGaha's Hefty Redfish caught on a RAPALA Skitterwalk.
On the freshwater side, the bass fishing has been off the hook on the
St Johns River. Schooling largemouth and sunshine bass have been feeding
on menhaden schools between first light and 10 a.m. To locat these schools,
first look for shore birds grouping and busting fish. Once located, work
the areas of busting fish with small top-water plugs and small swim baits.
Larry Peterson celabrates his birthday with some great bass fishing.
I even joined in on the fun with this nice sunshine bass.
All in all, the catching has been great, so get out on the water and
enjoy it while the weather holds.
Visit www.mosquitocreekoutdoors.com for
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Fishing Forecast
May, 2012
Complements of Mosquito
Creek Outdoors, Apopka, FL
Upcoming Seminars and Events
Saturday May 19th 10:00 to 12 Noon "Free Seminar" Class 4 of
Fundamentals of Flats Fishing series, "Saltwater Lure (Hard Baits)
Applications" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris Myers,
located in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington
Ave., Apopka Florida, www.mosquitocreek.com.
Thursday May 24th - 6:30 P.m. to 8:30 p.m. "Free Seminars" "Summer
Near-shore Opportunities" instructed by Captains Tom Van Horn, Chris
Myers, located in the Outback at Mosquito Creek Outdoors, 170 South Washington
Ave., Apopka Florida, www.mosquitocreek.com.
May's Fishing Forecast
As our length of daylight and the water temperatures increase, so do
the fishing opportunities along the Lagoon Coast of Florida. May is one
of the better fishing months on east Florida's coastal waters, so make
sure your lunch is packed, mental health days are scheduled, and I will
see you on the water.
Lisa's First Tarpon
Near-shore along the beaches, concentrate your efforts in the areas of
active bait pods (pogies). Typically, when you see concentrated areas
of bait with birds feeding on the surface, big fish are just as active
underneath. Species feeding on these pods include tarpon, jack cervalle,
redfish, cobia, and sharks. Near the end of the month, you can add kingfish
into the mix. Also, tripletail and flounder numbers should be improving
around the Port Canaveral buoys. At the inlets and beaches, Spanish mackerel,
snook, redfish, jack crevalle, bluefish, flounder, sheepshead, and black
drum are just some of the species available this month.
Fred's Jumbo Jack
Blue water trolling should be excellent in May, with the larger dolphin
being the focus of most blue water anglers. Also in the mix are tuna,
wahoo, kingfish, sailfish, and an occasional marlin. When targeting these
species, work areas of color and water temperature changes (lines) in
120 feet of water or deeper, and in areas of concentrated floating weeds
and debris. In addition, don't forget that kingfish and cobia are present
on the near-shore shoals, reefs and wrecks like Bethel Shoals, Pelican
Flats, Chris Benson, and 8A reefs.
On the lagoon flats, redfish and spotted sea trout will provide the majority
of the action for light tackle and fly anglers. For sea trout, fish your
favorite top-water plugs at first light in about two feet of water concentrating
in areas were bait is present. After the morning top-water bite fades,
switch to your favorite soft plastic jig fished in three to five feet
of water alone the edges of flats or spoil islands. The water has warmed
to the point where the jack crevalle, ladyfish, snook, and tarpon will
begin to show up in good numbers. In addition, there is a huge showing
of finger mullet this season, so it's time to break out your DOA Bait
Busters. Schooling redfish and other predators find the Bait Busters
difficult to resist when retrieved quickly just under the surface of
the water in areas of concentrated mullet schools. Remember when using
the technique; keep your lure moving until you feel the fish on the line.
For up to date fishing forecast by all Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando
captains visit:
http://coastalanglermag.com/orlando/.
Captain Tom Van Horn |
