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The Indian River Lagoon is a series
of lagoons and inlets making up a
portion of the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway in the U.S. state of
Florida. Its full length extends over
150 miles, from Ponce de Leon
Inlet in Volusia County, Florida to
Jupiter Inlet in Martin County,
Florida, and includes Cape
Canaveral.
The Indian River Lagoon is North
America’s most diverse estuary
with more than 2,200 different
species of animals and 2,100
species of plants. The Lagoon varies
in width from ½ mile to 5 miles
and averages only 3 feet in depth. It
serves as a spawning and nursery
ground for many different species
of oceanic and lagoon fish and
shellfish. The lagoon also has one of
the most diverse bird populations
anywhere in America. Nearly 1/3 of
the nation’s manatee population
lives here or migrates through the
Lagoon seasonally.
of lagoons and inlets making up a
portion of the Atlantic Intracoastal
Waterway in the U.S. state of
Florida. Its full length extends over
150 miles, from Ponce de Leon
Inlet in Volusia County, Florida to
Jupiter Inlet in Martin County,
Florida, and includes Cape
Canaveral.
The Indian River Lagoon is North
America’s most diverse estuary
with more than 2,200 different
species of animals and 2,100
species of plants. The Lagoon varies
in width from ½ mile to 5 miles
and averages only 3 feet in depth. It
serves as a spawning and nursery
ground for many different species
of oceanic and lagoon fish and
shellfish. The lagoon also has one of
the most diverse bird populations
anywhere in America. Nearly 1/3 of
the nation’s manatee population
lives here or migrates through the
Lagoon seasonally.
Map from the Smithsonian Institute.
Indian River Lagoon
In addition, its ocean beaches provide one of the densest sea
turtle nesting areas found in the Western Hemisphere.
Aerial view of Indian River LagoonPortions of the Lagoon, from
north to south:
Mosquito Lagoon, from Ponce de Leon Inlet to the north end of
Merritt Island, connected to Indian River by Haulover Canal.
Indian River, the main body of water, from the north border
between Volusia and Brevard Counties along the western shore of
Merritt Island, southward to St. Lucie Inlet.
Banana River, an offshoot of the Indian River, northward making
up the eastern shore of Merritt Island.
Hobe Sound, the portion of the lagoon from St. Lucie Inlet to
Jupiter Inlet.
It was originally named Rio de Ais after the Ais Indian tribe, who
lived along the east coast of Florida.
The diversity of the lagoon draws millions of boaters and
fishermen annually, which brings tens of millions of dollars to
Florida. Red Drum, Spotted Sea Trout, Common Snook, and the
formidable Tarpon are the main gamefish sought by anglers in the
lagoon system.
Recently concerns have been raised as to the future of the lagoon
system, expecially in the southern half where frequent freshwater
discharges seriously threaten water quality (decreasing the
salinity needed by many fish species) and contribute to large
algea blooms (water heavily saturated with plant fertilizers
promote the algea blooms). Lake Okeechobee is connected to the
lagoon by the Okeechobee Waterway, meeting in Palm City.
turtle nesting areas found in the Western Hemisphere.
Aerial view of Indian River LagoonPortions of the Lagoon, from
north to south:
Mosquito Lagoon, from Ponce de Leon Inlet to the north end of
Merritt Island, connected to Indian River by Haulover Canal.
Indian River, the main body of water, from the north border
between Volusia and Brevard Counties along the western shore of
Merritt Island, southward to St. Lucie Inlet.
Banana River, an offshoot of the Indian River, northward making
up the eastern shore of Merritt Island.
Hobe Sound, the portion of the lagoon from St. Lucie Inlet to
Jupiter Inlet.
It was originally named Rio de Ais after the Ais Indian tribe, who
lived along the east coast of Florida.
The diversity of the lagoon draws millions of boaters and
fishermen annually, which brings tens of millions of dollars to
Florida. Red Drum, Spotted Sea Trout, Common Snook, and the
formidable Tarpon are the main gamefish sought by anglers in the
lagoon system.
Recently concerns have been raised as to the future of the lagoon
system, expecially in the southern half where frequent freshwater
discharges seriously threaten water quality (decreasing the
salinity needed by many fish species) and contribute to large
algea blooms (water heavily saturated with plant fertilizers
promote the algea blooms). Lake Okeechobee is connected to the
lagoon by the Okeechobee Waterway, meeting in Palm City.
| www.fishbrevard.com |
Indian and Banana River Fishing Report Archives
Indian River Lagoon - Capt. Tom Van Horn - Jan 20, 2007
After reviewing my past fishing archives, I’m please to say fishing in January 2007 has
been above average. The warmer weather has the fish behaving in spring and late fall
patterns, and the influence of El Nino has generated both hit and miss trips this past
week due to varying wind conditions.
My adventures this past week began when Chris Fox from London joined me for a day
of fishing on the Lagoon. Chris owns a tackle shop in England, and he was excited
about the challenge of catching his first redfish. As usual, the winds were predicted to
be east at 5 to 10 knots, but once it was all said and done, 15 to 20 knots was more
realistic.
Once we arrived at our fishing destination, the early morning calm conditions displayed
tailing redfish right off the bat, and Chris quickly accomplished his goal before the sun
peaked above the horizon. As the winds increased and sight fishing conditions
diminished, and we switched our attention to a sunken spoil Island and completed our
day catching 26 sea trout up to 24-inches. All of the fish were caught throwing nite/glow
RipTide Realistic Shrimp with pink tails on a Daiichi Butt Dragger Hook with Woodies
Rattle Capsules inserted, and all were released to catch another day.
On Sunday, I have the pleasure on spending a day of paddle fishing in the No-Motor
Zone with Sue Cocking who is an outdoor editor for the Miami Herald. Again, the
morning started out nice and Sue quickly caught a respectable tailing redfish, but as
soon as I released her first redfish the wind picked up and we finished the day catching
a good number sea trout blind casting soft plastics.
On Monday, Dick Jones and his good friend Bill joined me for a day of redfish and black
drum in the Mosquito Lagoon. Dick is an outdoor writer from North Carolina, and our
goal was to catch a couple decent fish and then tour the Mosquito Lagoon Pole Troll
Zone for an upcoming article. As it turned out, we couldn’t have planned a more
gorgeous morning. The sky was crystal clear and the water was as slick as glass, and
we were on multiple schools of tailing redfish as the sky was just getting light. Between
the two of them, they scored 4 quality redfish up to 30-inches and 1 nice black drum
before 8:30am, and we spent the rest of the morning touring the Mosquito Lagoon.
Well so far things sound like fishing was fairly good, but that was before the cold front
slammed us with rain and wind. On Wednesday, I was joined by three hardcore anglers
in town from Iowa for the Shot Show. Dusty from Orlando and his two friends Jack and
Bill from Iowa, insisted on giving fishing a try even though we faced 20 to 25 knot winds
from the north to north east. My plan was to launch at River Breeze Park and stay out
of the open water sticking to the backwaters of New Smyrna. This was a great plan for
the sake of safety, but it failed miserably in catching fish. After poling in the wind for six
hours, we ended up with a total catch of 2 flounder and 1 sea trout.
Also, FYI, the shrimp run is in full swing with reports of 5-gallon limits reached in less
than two hours. I have heard good reports from both the Titusville area and Oak Hill,
so dust off your nets and hit the water. If you need equipment or information on
shrimping, visit Skeeter Lagoons bait shop on garden Street in Titusville.
Indian River, Mosquito Lagoon - Capt. John Kumiski, Jan 7, 2007
I only fished two days this week, neither of which were very productive. It has been
exceptionally warm so far this winter, whether from El Nino or whatever, and that has
definitely affected the fishing adversely.
On Wednesday Jim and Al Hall, a son and father team, joined me for a day's fishing on
the Mosquito Lagoon. Jim, a fly fisher from Vermont, got his first ever redfish on fly, a
fish of 22 inches or so that took a crab pattern. Al, who lives in Pennsylvania, got a trout
about the same size with a mullet chunk. That was it for the day. We had some clouds
and some wind, but there weren't very many fish around.
On Thursday, Andrew Landsman, a fly fisher from Connecticut, gave it a try. After a
week of slow fishing in the Mosquito Lagoon I decided to look in the Indian River Lagoon
first. We saw a few more fish, even a few tailers, and found a small school of redfish.
Not one fish chose to bite though, and we were blanked.
Indian River Lagoon - Capt. Tom Van Horn, January 3, 2007
Although we have started out the New Year with some halcyon mornings and calm
evenings, the general weather conditions have remained overcast and windy. Another
overshadow force this week is the full moon. The combination of the above
characteristic has made sight fishing demanding, so my best results this past week have
come from soaking live blue crabs in areas known to support larger redfish and black
drum. I know
it’s not the most glamorous style of fishing, but in many cases the results are the
difference between fishing and catching.
As a fishing guide, my first job is to evaluate the experience and skill levels of my
anglers and adjust the tactics required to provide them with their best opportunity to
catch fish. I do my best to meet their expectations, but sometimes you have to do
whatever it takes to catch fish.
Overall, it was definitely not the best week of catching, but I’m not complaining.
Indian and Banana rivers - Dec 29th, 2006
Mangrove snapper to 15 inches are hitting live shrimp and small baitfish fished
around mangrove shorelines and dock lines throughout Satellite Beach and
Cocoa Beach. These snapper are not easily fooled, so try to use a small bronze-
finished hook and as little weight as possible to deceive them. Sheepshead and
black drum are also in similar areas and will hit live shrimp, sandfleas and fiddler
crabs. Often, older docks and mangrove root systems are best. The canals that
stretch between these two towns along the Banana River are also ideal areas to
get out of strong winds.
Redfish, many slot-sized, are holding along edges of grass flats and channels
adjacent to bridges between Cocoa and Eau Gallie. Anglers are finding fish
despite rough and windy conditions when using live and cut bait. One of the most
popular baits for the over-sized reds are live and whole dead blue crabs. Close
to bridge pilings, such as around the Pineda, Eau Gallie and Mather's Bridge,
anglers are finding some cooperative black drum to 20 pounds when using cut
blue crabs and live shrimp. Mangrove snapper can also be found around these
bridges where they will hit smaller baits such as fiddlers, shrimp and live
greenies.
Indian River Lagoon - Capt. Tom Van Horn, Dec 17, 2006
How many times have you heard local anglers say the fishing is awful during the
winter in east central Florida? I’ve heard things like it’s too windy, it’s too cold, or
the fish are dormant and they don’t eat. Well you keep on believing what your
hearing, and I will continue to enjoy the empty boat ramps, unpressured fish, and
quality catches experienced in December and January. I have to admit rough
weather conditions do make it trying at times, but if you are willing to suck it up a
little, dress for the occasion, and be cautious during rough conditions, the
rewards can be memorable.
The winds finally began to settle down this past week, and some great catching
reports have been coming from all areas of the lagoon coast. In the Mosquito
Lagoon, I received good reports of slot redfish schooling on just about every
major flat from Georges Bar all the way to Whale Tail. I’ve also heard the same
from other anglers and guides fishing in the North Indian River Lagoon and the
Banana River Lagoon. The redfish have started to school up, and they have
been holding in super skinny water. I have also heard reports of large sea trout
in the same waters. As always, stealth presentation will greatly improve your
numbers, and when the weather kicks up be prepared to switch tactics.
My next oppertuinty was on Friday where I ventured into the No-Motor Zone with
my good friend Art Roseberry and his friend Harold Hollis. Both men are world-
class anglers and Alaska residents with homes on the Kenai River. Art and I
have been trying to fish the NMZ for the past several years, but every time we
plan a trip, the wind blew 20 knots or better or the Zone was closed for a shuttle
launch.
This time the winds were east at 10 to 15 knots with a 70% chance of rain, so we
decided to suck it up and break out the Frogg Toggs. As it turned out, the wind
was fishable at first, and Art was the first to score with a nice 20-pound redfish
taken on a nite glow/pink tail RipTide Realistic Shrimp on a Daiichi Bleeding
Bait Copperhead hook with a Woodies Rattle capsule. Art’s next fish was a nice
upper slot size red, but before we knew it the wind kicked up and our sight
fishing opportunities were over. Both Art and Harold have tackled king salmon
over 50 pounds, and both were eager to tackle such a fish in Florida, so on my
way to the lagoon I made it a point to stop by Skeeter Lagoons Bait and Tackle
in Titusville and purchase 8 live blue crabs, and in this case I was glad I did.
After the wind picked up, we staked out on the deeper edge of the flat and
started chunking blue crab, and in the next two hours we landed five over slot
redfish up to 54 inches and a nice 25-pound black drum.
On Saturday both the wind and seas were up a bit, but I couldn’t decline the offer
to join my good friend Scott Bradford aboard the Afternoon Delight on an early
season cobia exploration out of Port Canaveral. To add icing to the cake,
Captain Rodney Smith and Scott Ashmore joined us. Scott Bradford had a
hunch we would find cobia holding on the near-shore wrecks in 60 to 80 feet of
water, and he was right. At our first stop, we brought five cobia to the boat with
two keepers going into the icebox. The technique we were using was to drop a
one-ounce Fair Water Big Bend Cobia jig tipped with squid to the bottom and
then jig it back to the surface. After the bite slowed at our first stop, we headed
offshore to check some other wrecks, but between the increasing winds, seas,
current, and overcast skis, we were unsuccessful in locating any more fish.
Another positive note was that every stop was loaded with bait, and we sighted
several sky rocketing kingfish, so the fish are there.
Indian, Banana rivers - Dec 16, 2006
The wind is making fishing along the IRL system difficult, at best. On days,
especially mornings, when winds aren't so swift, anglers can find cooperative
seatrout, ladyfish, jack crevalle and occasionally bluefish and Spanish mackerel
along drop-offs adjacent to grass flats. (Remember, seatrout season is
closed until the 1st of January) The mackerel and blues are more likely in to
be in deeper water, while the trout and ladyfish are usually closer to the grass.
More of the mackerel and bluefish are being found between Melbourne Beach
and Fort Pierce, though occasionally anglers closer to the Eau Gallie area will
pick up some roaming bluefish and macks.
Pompano are also making a fleeting showing in the same areas adjacent to
grass flats, but not in large or consistent numbers. Anglers are doing best in
areas adjacent to inlets, such as Port Canaveral, Sebastian and Fort Pierce
inlets. I like to use a small jig about 1/4 ounce, generally something flashy like
chartreuse, pearl, metallic or otherwise. The other species mentioned above will
also strike these lures, with the mackerel seriously preferring these tiny jigs over
the general trout-touts and other common artificial flats baits. Most hard-core
pompano fishermen claim that another cold front will help push more pompano
toward these inlets and out into the ocean, so a good bet would be to target
them after a recent cold front.
Indian River Lagoon - Capt. Tom Van Horn - Jan 20, 2007
After reviewing my past fishing archives, I’m please to say fishing in January 2007 has
been above average. The warmer weather has the fish behaving in spring and late fall
patterns, and the influence of El Nino has generated both hit and miss trips this past
week due to varying wind conditions.
My adventures this past week began when Chris Fox from London joined me for a day
of fishing on the Lagoon. Chris owns a tackle shop in England, and he was excited
about the challenge of catching his first redfish. As usual, the winds were predicted to
be east at 5 to 10 knots, but once it was all said and done, 15 to 20 knots was more
realistic.
Once we arrived at our fishing destination, the early morning calm conditions displayed
tailing redfish right off the bat, and Chris quickly accomplished his goal before the sun
peaked above the horizon. As the winds increased and sight fishing conditions
diminished, and we switched our attention to a sunken spoil Island and completed our
day catching 26 sea trout up to 24-inches. All of the fish were caught throwing nite/glow
RipTide Realistic Shrimp with pink tails on a Daiichi Butt Dragger Hook with Woodies
Rattle Capsules inserted, and all were released to catch another day.
On Sunday, I have the pleasure on spending a day of paddle fishing in the No-Motor
Zone with Sue Cocking who is an outdoor editor for the Miami Herald. Again, the
morning started out nice and Sue quickly caught a respectable tailing redfish, but as
soon as I released her first redfish the wind picked up and we finished the day catching
a good number sea trout blind casting soft plastics.
On Monday, Dick Jones and his good friend Bill joined me for a day of redfish and black
drum in the Mosquito Lagoon. Dick is an outdoor writer from North Carolina, and our
goal was to catch a couple decent fish and then tour the Mosquito Lagoon Pole Troll
Zone for an upcoming article. As it turned out, we couldn’t have planned a more
gorgeous morning. The sky was crystal clear and the water was as slick as glass, and
we were on multiple schools of tailing redfish as the sky was just getting light. Between
the two of them, they scored 4 quality redfish up to 30-inches and 1 nice black drum
before 8:30am, and we spent the rest of the morning touring the Mosquito Lagoon.
Well so far things sound like fishing was fairly good, but that was before the cold front
slammed us with rain and wind. On Wednesday, I was joined by three hardcore anglers
in town from Iowa for the Shot Show. Dusty from Orlando and his two friends Jack and
Bill from Iowa, insisted on giving fishing a try even though we faced 20 to 25 knot winds
from the north to north east. My plan was to launch at River Breeze Park and stay out
of the open water sticking to the backwaters of New Smyrna. This was a great plan for
the sake of safety, but it failed miserably in catching fish. After poling in the wind for six
hours, we ended up with a total catch of 2 flounder and 1 sea trout.
Also, FYI, the shrimp run is in full swing with reports of 5-gallon limits reached in less
than two hours. I have heard good reports from both the Titusville area and Oak Hill,
so dust off your nets and hit the water. If you need equipment or information on
shrimping, visit Skeeter Lagoons bait shop on garden Street in Titusville.
Indian River, Mosquito Lagoon - Capt. John Kumiski, Jan 7, 2007
I only fished two days this week, neither of which were very productive. It has been
exceptionally warm so far this winter, whether from El Nino or whatever, and that has
definitely affected the fishing adversely.
On Wednesday Jim and Al Hall, a son and father team, joined me for a day's fishing on
the Mosquito Lagoon. Jim, a fly fisher from Vermont, got his first ever redfish on fly, a
fish of 22 inches or so that took a crab pattern. Al, who lives in Pennsylvania, got a trout
about the same size with a mullet chunk. That was it for the day. We had some clouds
and some wind, but there weren't very many fish around.
On Thursday, Andrew Landsman, a fly fisher from Connecticut, gave it a try. After a
week of slow fishing in the Mosquito Lagoon I decided to look in the Indian River Lagoon
first. We saw a few more fish, even a few tailers, and found a small school of redfish.
Not one fish chose to bite though, and we were blanked.
Indian River Lagoon - Capt. Tom Van Horn, January 3, 2007
Although we have started out the New Year with some halcyon mornings and calm
evenings, the general weather conditions have remained overcast and windy. Another
overshadow force this week is the full moon. The combination of the above
characteristic has made sight fishing demanding, so my best results this past week have
come from soaking live blue crabs in areas known to support larger redfish and black
drum. I know
it’s not the most glamorous style of fishing, but in many cases the results are the
difference between fishing and catching.
As a fishing guide, my first job is to evaluate the experience and skill levels of my
anglers and adjust the tactics required to provide them with their best opportunity to
catch fish. I do my best to meet their expectations, but sometimes you have to do
whatever it takes to catch fish.
Overall, it was definitely not the best week of catching, but I’m not complaining.
Indian and Banana rivers - Dec 29th, 2006
Mangrove snapper to 15 inches are hitting live shrimp and small baitfish fished
around mangrove shorelines and dock lines throughout Satellite Beach and
Cocoa Beach. These snapper are not easily fooled, so try to use a small bronze-
finished hook and as little weight as possible to deceive them. Sheepshead and
black drum are also in similar areas and will hit live shrimp, sandfleas and fiddler
crabs. Often, older docks and mangrove root systems are best. The canals that
stretch between these two towns along the Banana River are also ideal areas to
get out of strong winds.
Redfish, many slot-sized, are holding along edges of grass flats and channels
adjacent to bridges between Cocoa and Eau Gallie. Anglers are finding fish
despite rough and windy conditions when using live and cut bait. One of the most
popular baits for the over-sized reds are live and whole dead blue crabs. Close
to bridge pilings, such as around the Pineda, Eau Gallie and Mather's Bridge,
anglers are finding some cooperative black drum to 20 pounds when using cut
blue crabs and live shrimp. Mangrove snapper can also be found around these
bridges where they will hit smaller baits such as fiddlers, shrimp and live
greenies.
Indian River Lagoon - Capt. Tom Van Horn, Dec 17, 2006
How many times have you heard local anglers say the fishing is awful during the
winter in east central Florida? I’ve heard things like it’s too windy, it’s too cold, or
the fish are dormant and they don’t eat. Well you keep on believing what your
hearing, and I will continue to enjoy the empty boat ramps, unpressured fish, and
quality catches experienced in December and January. I have to admit rough
weather conditions do make it trying at times, but if you are willing to suck it up a
little, dress for the occasion, and be cautious during rough conditions, the
rewards can be memorable.
The winds finally began to settle down this past week, and some great catching
reports have been coming from all areas of the lagoon coast. In the Mosquito
Lagoon, I received good reports of slot redfish schooling on just about every
major flat from Georges Bar all the way to Whale Tail. I’ve also heard the same
from other anglers and guides fishing in the North Indian River Lagoon and the
Banana River Lagoon. The redfish have started to school up, and they have
been holding in super skinny water. I have also heard reports of large sea trout
in the same waters. As always, stealth presentation will greatly improve your
numbers, and when the weather kicks up be prepared to switch tactics.
My next oppertuinty was on Friday where I ventured into the No-Motor Zone with
my good friend Art Roseberry and his friend Harold Hollis. Both men are world-
class anglers and Alaska residents with homes on the Kenai River. Art and I
have been trying to fish the NMZ for the past several years, but every time we
plan a trip, the wind blew 20 knots or better or the Zone was closed for a shuttle
launch.
This time the winds were east at 10 to 15 knots with a 70% chance of rain, so we
decided to suck it up and break out the Frogg Toggs. As it turned out, the wind
was fishable at first, and Art was the first to score with a nice 20-pound redfish
taken on a nite glow/pink tail RipTide Realistic Shrimp on a Daiichi Bleeding
Bait Copperhead hook with a Woodies Rattle capsule. Art’s next fish was a nice
upper slot size red, but before we knew it the wind kicked up and our sight
fishing opportunities were over. Both Art and Harold have tackled king salmon
over 50 pounds, and both were eager to tackle such a fish in Florida, so on my
way to the lagoon I made it a point to stop by Skeeter Lagoons Bait and Tackle
in Titusville and purchase 8 live blue crabs, and in this case I was glad I did.
After the wind picked up, we staked out on the deeper edge of the flat and
started chunking blue crab, and in the next two hours we landed five over slot
redfish up to 54 inches and a nice 25-pound black drum.
On Saturday both the wind and seas were up a bit, but I couldn’t decline the offer
to join my good friend Scott Bradford aboard the Afternoon Delight on an early
season cobia exploration out of Port Canaveral. To add icing to the cake,
Captain Rodney Smith and Scott Ashmore joined us. Scott Bradford had a
hunch we would find cobia holding on the near-shore wrecks in 60 to 80 feet of
water, and he was right. At our first stop, we brought five cobia to the boat with
two keepers going into the icebox. The technique we were using was to drop a
one-ounce Fair Water Big Bend Cobia jig tipped with squid to the bottom and
then jig it back to the surface. After the bite slowed at our first stop, we headed
offshore to check some other wrecks, but between the increasing winds, seas,
current, and overcast skis, we were unsuccessful in locating any more fish.
Another positive note was that every stop was loaded with bait, and we sighted
several sky rocketing kingfish, so the fish are there.
Indian, Banana rivers - Dec 16, 2006
The wind is making fishing along the IRL system difficult, at best. On days,
especially mornings, when winds aren't so swift, anglers can find cooperative
seatrout, ladyfish, jack crevalle and occasionally bluefish and Spanish mackerel
along drop-offs adjacent to grass flats. (Remember, seatrout season is
closed until the 1st of January) The mackerel and blues are more likely in to
be in deeper water, while the trout and ladyfish are usually closer to the grass.
More of the mackerel and bluefish are being found between Melbourne Beach
and Fort Pierce, though occasionally anglers closer to the Eau Gallie area will
pick up some roaming bluefish and macks.
Pompano are also making a fleeting showing in the same areas adjacent to
grass flats, but not in large or consistent numbers. Anglers are doing best in
areas adjacent to inlets, such as Port Canaveral, Sebastian and Fort Pierce
inlets. I like to use a small jig about 1/4 ounce, generally something flashy like
chartreuse, pearl, metallic or otherwise. The other species mentioned above will
also strike these lures, with the mackerel seriously preferring these tiny jigs over
the general trout-touts and other common artificial flats baits. Most hard-core
pompano fishermen claim that another cold front will help push more pompano
toward these inlets and out into the ocean, so a good bet would be to target
them after a recent cold front.