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Freshwater Fishing

American Shad and Crappie

Despite high water levels on the St Johns River system good numbers of speckled perch (black crappie) are showing up in the upper St Johns River, and the big lakes of Monroe, Jessup and Harney. Fish structure or slow troll Road Runner jigs or live minnows near the bottom. Also, look for the American shad to begin showing up near the end of the month on their winter spawning run. American shad are an incredible species to catch on light tackle and fly, and if you have never experienced this fishery, you should book a day with me and learn how it is done. American Shad fishing is the closes Floridian’s get to the salmon runs of the north and we are catching them during the winter when the northern rives are frozen over.

I cannot begin to count all the outstanding fishing adventures I have experienced on the Indian River Lagoon Coast of Florida in November. We are truly blessed by the opportunity to experience the natural side of such a magnificent resource where catching is a year-round venture.

Believe it or not, fall has arrived here in Central Florida. Shorter days and prevailing easterly breezes have set the stage for some excellent fishing. This past week the King Tide (highest I ever seen) and tropical squalls well offshore made fishing challenging, but conditions are improving and so is the catching.

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

The heat is on, as fishing opportunities kick in along the Indian River Lagoon Coast of Florida. Looks like its going to be an active season for summer squalls, but as long as they stay away fishing along the beaches and in the inlets will remain equally as hot.

Summer has officially arrived on the Indian River Lagoon coast, as the mid summer doldrums are currently upon us.  It is also the time of year when tropical weather systems and offshore water temperatures are as predictable as Wall Street.   Just when you think you have 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 inshore and offshore of the lagoon coast in July.

Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Forecast, June 2020

COVID-19 Mitigation Plan

Our world as we have known it has changed drastically due to the pandemic, and as we adjust to the new norm it is up to us to help mitigate the spread of this virus. With this said, we plan to open for business May 4th utilizing the following protocols for the safety of both clients and crew for the time being. These measures will only be temporary and will be adjusted as time allows:

As I set down to write my April  fishing forecast, I like many of you am landlocked by these troubling times.  Dreaming about fishing is currently the extent of my fishing adventures, dreaming of the day I return to the sea with friends and family.  Until then, I will share my forecast with you  so we can travel together into our imaginations to a place where  the fish are happy, hungry and stupid.  I’m thankful to all of  you, my friend, family and past clients who have shared time on the water with me over the past 20 years.    I will also share in my gallery some of the fish caught in April aboard Three Quarter Time.  Until our next adventure, stay safe.

For number of reasons, I always look forward to the glorious bloom of my azaleas. Their magnificent colors are not only pleasing to the eye, but they also signal the end of winter and the beginning of the spring bait migration. As the days grow longer and the ocean begins its gradual warming phase, 68 to 72-degree range, the spring fishing bonanza on the Indian Lagoon Coast  of Florida kicks in. As usual, weather will serve as the determining factor in establishing the magnitude and progression of the bite, and forecasting Florida weather is left only to fools. Also, like the bloom of the delicate azaleas, the bite will sometimes pass quickly before you have a chance to really experience it.