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[Wink][size 1]This report comes from Captain Tom Van Horn of Indian River Lagoon [/size]

Indian River Lagoon Fishing Report, November 13, 2002

Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters

I’ve tried to make it a habit to compose a weekly fishing report with a Friday deadline. I feel current and consistent information is essential to establish a loyal readership, and hopefully; assist local anglers with incite into how they can better approach valuable weekend fishing opportunities. Unfortunately, when important issues arise, deviation from ones routine is necessary. This is especially true if the important issue involves fishing. Today is the beginning of my annual fishing adventure to east Florida’s illustrious fishing Mecca, Sebastian Inlet. This journey will draw me away from my desk and into a world of total fishing bliss. Therefore, this report is a bit early, and it’s the last you’ll hear from me until the 23rd of November. Duckman, if the offer still stands, and your available to fish, my cell phone number will be included at the end of this report.

This week I’ve experienced several outstanding catching opportunities worth noting. First, while visiting a good friend in Satellite Beach, I borrowed a pole and some jigs from his garage when he wasn’t looking, and I wondered down to the beach. The vaporous fumes of the red tide infuriated my senses, but it didn’t detour my intentions to cast a line. With the entire beach to myself, I focused on a swarm of birds busting bait at the edge of the beach. I tossed a ¼ ounce green Cottie jig into the mix, and as soon as it hit the water, the fight was on. For the next hour, I caught one blue fish after another. I finely was forced to quit when all five of the plastic jig tails I had acquired were devoured.

The second notable catching experience happened today while fishing with Captain Henry Cross from Cross Streams Charters. Henry and I were in search of a place to escape the blustery breezes brought on by the passing of our fifth cold front of the year. Working the expanse of Haulover Canal, which separates the Indian and Mosquito Lagoons, we experimented with several techniques. Finally we hit the jackpot. Using live finger mullet, pinfish, and pigfish on the bottom, we located a school of extremely hungry giant redfish. Between the two of us, we boated six reds between 36 and 42 inches. The bite was fast and furious, with several double hook-ups. It was the type of experience we live for as anglers, drags screaming, lines tight, ain’t life great.

For those of you who may want to contact or fish with me next week in Sebastian, my cell phone number is 407-416-1187. As always, if you have any questions on need information, please contact me.

Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn

[url "http://www.irl-fishing.com"]www.irl-fishing.com[/url]
[url "mailto:captain@irl-fishing.com"]captain@irl-fishing.com[/url]
407-366-8085
866-790-8081
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Indian River Lagoon Fishing Report, November 8, 2002

Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters

As the third cold front of the year passes, we are still waiting for a cool down in ocean temperatures. Cooler water will enhance the feeding frenzy we’ve experienced this past week. With nighttime air temperatures in the lower 50’s, this week could mark the arrival of the fall cobia and tripletail run.

Last week we found heavy concentrations of Sargasso weed forming up just inshore from “D” Can, off the bight of Cape Canaveral. These weed-lines provide the perfect cover for migrating baitfish, (glass minnows) attracting cobia and tripletail inshore and large gamefish offshore. Large schools of Spanish mackerel are currently feeding in this area, and served as easy targets last week. Small plastic jigs proved to be the preferred bait, providing fast and furious action on light tackle. When considering an excursion into this area, one must heed the three mile security zone established alone the Space Center coastline, and the Space Shuttle launch planned for Veteran’s Day, November 11th.

Large redfish are still holding around the North Jetty and along the Port Canaveral buoy line. While fishing with my good friends, Dave Seymour, Carmal Shearer, and Melissa Marainetti, we managed to boat eight large reds in excess of 25 lbs, with several double hook-ups. These fish were taking live bait fished on the bottom in 25 to 40 feet of water. Large redfish are exciting to catch, but they need to be handled and released with great care.

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 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 anglers.

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

Good luck and good fishing,
Captain Tom Van Horn
[url "http://www.irl-fishing.com"]www.irl-fishing.com[/url]
[url "mailto:captain@irl-fishing.com"]captain@irl-fishing.com[/url]
407-366-8085
866-790-8081
[signature]