Fishing in east central Florida the past couple weeks has been hot, if you find the spot. Inshore, the redfish action has been steady. The schools of oversize redfish have been tailing along the deeper edges of flats early in the day. If they are not subjected to excess pressure, they will eat a well placed offering.
Last week, Paul Fondo of Orlando, joined me in the Mosquito Lagoon with his friend, Don Mathis. They both caught their biggest redfish ever with Paul taking the largest fish of the day.
In the Indian River Lagoon, big tarpon were providing us with consistent action. We jumped and caught fish from 50-125 pounds using a rootbeer colored DOA TerrorEyz with 40-60 lb leader. On several days, we fished near other anglers using live baits and the TerrorEyz produced much more action.
This week, most of the tarpon moved on, but several in the 100 pound class were jumped on the same lure.
Tuesday, Dennis and Brad Prokopowicz fished with me in the Mosquito Lagoon. The brothers wanted to catch some big reds and the fish cooperated. Dennis caught the big fish of the day, a red af about 30 pounds, but Brad was not far behind.
After leaving the reds, the brothers used a DOA shrimp under a cajun thunder float to catch over a dozen trout in leass than an hour. Fishing around schools of mullet was the key .
The next two days, I fished nearshore with friends. Capt. Tom Van Horn and I searched outside Port Canaveral. We found the water to be quite cool and the bait along the beach was scarce. After finally finding menhaden well south of the Port, we trolled in various locations with only one barracuda to show for our efforts.
Thursday, Paul Huffman and I tried the waters outside Ponce Inlet in New Smyrna Beach. Bait was plentiful but the preadators were not. A big jack crevalle was the only fish that saved us from a shutout.
Cold water has hampered the nearshore bite throughout the summer. The next couple months, however, should bring more stable water temperatures and an increase in bait as the fall mullet run begins. Inshore, redfish will continue to provide steady action. Pompano will begin to invade the flats of the Indian River and can also be found staging around the many causeways.
Capt. Chris Myers
Central Florida Sight Fishing Charters
http://www.floridafishinglessons.com
