Indian River Lagoon

Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, 01-03-2005 Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters Opening Day Trout Season in the No-Motor Zone After a seemingly difficult and trying year, I knew it was only fitting to spend an enjoyable evening of roasted oysters, beer, and brown liquor with my family and friends in anticipation of the New Year. Settling in around the backyard fire, high-spirited yarns of past angling adventures soon filled the air and the laughter and BS soared thicker than the rising smoke before us. Soon we would welcome in the New Year, and at 6am, I would be off on another fishful adventure to the no-motor-zone with my good friend Lyle Rolls. Life doesn’t get any better. The morning air was at a standstill and fat with winter fog, kind of like my head, as we departed Lyle’s home on our way to the coast. The eastern sky soon welcomed us with a dazzling display of morning color. Our anticipation grew even larger when we arrived at our launch site, and the lagoon greeted us calm glassy conditions. As we pushed away from the shore, Lyle asked me if it would be alright to keep a few trout for a family fish fry, seeing it was the first day of trout season, and my reply was,”sure, as long as I’m invited”. As Lyle poled me along the shoreline, I tossed several different baits to no avail, and my thoughts of a perfect day began to wane. That was until Lyle screamed, “ there’s one” and a respectable sea trout broke the surface of the water, stripping off about thirty feet of his line on its first run. Soon the entire flat filled with sizable fish pushing throughout the skinny water around us, and our catching adventure commenced. Before it was all said and done, I would hear Lyle shout that familiar phrase nine times, as we managed to boat two slot redfish and 16 sea trout, four of which were within the slot. All of the other 12 trout were over slot fish up to 24 inches, and the only undersized trout taken, was a six inch dink removed from the belly of the first trout we cleaned after returning to Lyle’s house. All fish were taken within a two hour period in about a foot of water, and the bait of choice was a salt & pepper Exude RT Slug fished real slowly. Lyle’s take for the day was his limit of four slot trout, one over slot gut hooked trout, and a 24” redfish. Thanks Lyle, I can smell those trout frying already. All in all, it was a fantastic morning, and I can’t think of a more perfect way to start the New Year. As always, if you have any questions or need information, please contact me. Good luck and great catching, Captain Tom Van Horn [email protected] www.irl-fishing.com 407-366-8085 Office 407-416-1187 On the water 866-790-8081 Toll free