We do not experience what many would picture as a winter wonderland along the central east coast of Florida (near Orlando) from late December through early February. There is not even a remote chance of snow, sleet or blizzard. However, even though we do have our share of cooler temperatures, gray skies and windy days, the fishing can continue to be dreamlike nonetheless … dreamlike provided we adapt to the conditions and change our fishing locations, species, tactics and patterns accordingly.
One of the unique aspects to winter in our waters is the rapid changes in the habits of our fish, even during the course of one day. For example, yesterday I guided out of Titusville (35 miles east of Orlando) a trio from the frozen tundra of Canada, Lou, Dennis and Ericka. After finally finding bait balled-up in a deep canal, we proceeded to a slightly depressed area along a shoreline. This was located near the bait-filled deep canal and, along with ample ambush points, provided a perfect point for the game fish to wait for the finger mullet to migrate when the sun finally broke through and warmed the water. In the two pictures below, notice the heavy clothing worn by our crew during the cooler morning portion of the trip.
It was nearly noon before the fog lifted and the water finally began to warm. By this time, the schools of bait had flooded the flats and brought the hungry predators into the shallows. The fish pictured below were found in the afternoon, roaming in water less than two feet deep in an area where the grass flats are punctuated by sandy potholes. (This was on the same day as the photos above – note the difference in sky, sun, water surface and clothing)
Winter also brings us a different mix of species. Redfish and trout remain the solid staple of our inshore fishery. This time of year they are joined by black drum and pompano. Our most tropical species, such as snook and tarpon, require a warmer environment and either migrate south or push deep inland into the canals, creeks and rivers feeding our main waterways. However, we may still find a few of these fish in their summer haunts like the snook hooked on Christmas day in the Titusville area (35 miles east of Orlando). (Pictured below is Crystal with a small black drum caught recently in the Melbourne/Sebastian area – 55 miles southeast of Orlando)
During extended periods of very cold days (usually three to four days in a row), our fish generally struggle to keep warm by slipping into the deepest troughs available. This packs the fish into smaller confines and can make for some awesome fishing … provided you know where to look for them and what to do when you find them.
The bottom line for winter fishing in our area is adapt, adapt, adapt! The patterns so predictable last month may prove so fruitless the next. The tactics proved so deadly last week may be so ineffective the next. The locations where fish were so plentiful in the morning may become a desert by afternoon. Winter fishing can be wonderful if you are able to adapt, adapt, adapt.
Typically the two weeks prior to Christmas in central east Florida (near Orlando) are not the hottest of the year – either in terms of angling action or in terms of picture postcard weather. However, this year it has been anything but typical as we have been doubly blessed with an extension of the meteorological phenomenon known as Indian Summer along with some phenomenal fishing.
On Thursday, Capt. Peter and I were fortunate enough to have along Andy the cameraman from East Coast Fishing (local TV fishing show to be launched early next year). The weather was perfect with clear blue skies and glassy calm water. The fishing could not have been any better either. (We’ll keep most of the details of the action on the day under wraps, as they say in the television business, until the show debuts… a hint though – there were a pair of huge black drum mugging for the camera)
Speaking of TV, there is a new online website, called FishbuzzTV and it is really cool! Recently we had aboard Jon Brett, producer and director, to film a short video segment for the site in Titusville (35 miles east of Orlando). The clips have finally been edited, polished, and posted. We invite you to visit the site and watch the action (http://fishbuzz.tv/index.html?req=1&station=guide&video=fishbuzz/guide/deeks) – aside from the two two-legged camera hogs shown in the first minute or so, we think you’ll really enjoy it.
Last Friday we hosted Matt O’Hern, a sportswriter for the Hometown News. He was along to write a short feature article for this community-based, weekly publication. The article was part of the paper distributed this week in Titusville and will appear in the Merritt Island (40 miles east of Orlando)and Rockledge editions next week. It is also provided online (http://www.myhometownnews.net/index.php?id=36073).
Finally, last Tuesday Capt. Roland and I teamed with Capt. Gary Giles of Melbourne to guide the commander and chief of the Coastal Angler Magazine, Rodney Smith. We are not sure of future articles or accolades from the trip but the day sure was successful from a fishing standpoint. Besides several nice pompano, we caught large numbers of trout and ladyfish in the Indian River between Melbourne and Grant (55 miles southeast of Orlando).
Christmas arrived early for a handful of very fortunate anglers this week. Not only are we continuing to enjoy exceptionally fine weather – a White Christmas would only be in our dreams – but the fishing continues to be excellent as well.
Mike Nix of Monett, Missouri must have been very good this past year, because Santa gifted him with a great fishing trip on the Indian River near Titusville on Monday (35 miles east of Orlando). The final count for the day included five fine reds and four ‘gator’ trout. We were particularly pleased to find the large trout returning to the flats because they have been rather scarce recently. Perhaps this is a sign of things to come. In the picture below, notice the blue sky and glass-like surface of the water. Can you envision the vicious explosions of big fish on baits under these dream-like conditions? Let me assure you, for an avid angler, it’s better than visions of sugarplums dancing in your head!
Now this next fishing account is one that almost defies reduction to pen and paper. At times, the Wednesday fishing trip more resembled a chaotic scene from Whoville than the peaceful setting of the abovementioned winter wonderland. Imagine four seasoned guides aboard a single bay boat, appropriately dubbed the Lip Rip, each vying for optimum casting position to a large school of pompano, trout and ladyfish. Since we were catching fish on nearly every cast, it’s a wonder nobody poked an eye out! Pictured below, each holding a delicious pompano, are Roland Jones, Gary Giles and Rodney Smith. And I, aptly dressed in my kerchief and cap, hid behind the camera.
Our Thursday charter included more ingredients than a Claxton Fruitcake. Local fishing expert Scott Sigmon teamed with Capt. Roland for an unusual fishing adventure in the canals of Satellite Beach (50 miles southeast of Orlando). Fishing shrimp under a small popping cork, the duo caught snook, trout, sheephead, black drum, moonfish, ladyfish, pinfish, catfish and nearly a naughty porpoise. The only thing missing on this trip was a quart of eggnog. Pictured below is Scott with one of the three different kinds of drums caught on the day.
Finally, I had the good fortune yesterday of guiding good friend and sportswriter Matt O’Hern of Merritt Island. We had planned to fish a full afternoon on the flats of the Indian River just north of NASA Causeway (35 miles east of Orlando). However, a cold front pushed through the area during the outing and cut our day short. (Matt suggested the abrupt ending to the trip had something to do with some sort of family fishing curse, perhaps placed upon the O’Herns by the Grinch or a Ghost from Christmas Past.) However, despite the untimely arrival of the inclement weather, we were still blessed with trout and redfish as evidenced in the following picture.
Our motto at Native Sons Fishing Charters is to provide “A Fishing Trip you’ll never forget.” This past week our crede became our experience for three charters as the balmy, unseasnable temperatures of our Indian Summer set the stage for some of the most memorable fishing drama of the year.
The lead story for the week starred a guide from the west coast, Capt. “Red” Ed Brennan and Cynthia, his close friend and favorite fishing partner. Their directive to Capt. Rocky was simply “we want to battle big redfish.” The next few paragraphs are descriptive narratives of the trip from Capt. Red Ed’s report to his own clients, family and friends.
While visiting family on the East coast for the holiday, Cynthia and I decided to fish the infamous Mosquito Lagoon for MONSTER Redfish with Captain Rocky Van Hoose, and we had an EPIC adventure! After securing enough Redfish candy, live Finger Mullet for bait, we were on the hunt. Conditions were anything but perfect as not only was it windy but it was also mostly cloudy which, as you know, only makes site fishing that more difficult. Of course, that wasn’t going to stop us! After catching more Catfish then we could count, we finally had a bite that could have only been what we were hunting for, Cynthia hooked and boated the nice 30 inch Redfish pictured below.
Now most folks would be happy to CATCH a Redfish that size but we were there for the real MONSTERS. Shortly after re-baiting we weren’t disappointed as the rod I was holding was slammed by what felt like a Volkswagen and the fight was on! After an awesome twenty minute fight we put the 42 inch Redfish, in the boat for a few pictures before we released him for someone else to enjoy!! If you haven’t fought one of these MONSTERS it will test all your angling skills and definitely tire you out, especially on light tackle.
Again after re-baiting, it was Cynthia’s turn to fight a MONSTER! If my fish hit like a Volkswagen, the fish that hit Cynthia’s rod was like a Freight Train! She did a masterful job fighting the fish but eventually it wore her out and she had to hand the rod to me for a short rest. In all my years of CATCHING Redfish, I have never seen or felt a fish fight like this! Every time we would get him close to the boat he would just scream line off the reel and it was like starting the fight all over again! This fish was well over 50 inches! It was EPIC!!! The sun was starting to set and we were beginning to wonder and joke if we would get this MONSTER in the boat for a few pictures before it got dark. Cynthia did take the rod back and fought the fish like a professional but after at least an hour and twenty minutes the MONSTER came unbuttoned and swam away. We had just lost a potential state record Redfish, but it was an experience that the three of us will never forget!!!
The second memory making trip occurred aboard Capt. Roland’s boat, the “Lip Rip” in Sebastian Inlet. Dr. Cronin of Melbourne Beach and his neighbor Jerry ventured into the inlet in search of breeder redfish and monster snook. They battled several large fish including the redfish held by Dr. Cronin in the picture below. This was actually the second Sebastian drift charter for the good doctor during the holiday week as he and Charlie, his son-in-law, chartered Capt. Roland several evenings before when they caught other large redfish and snook.
The final unforgettable trip in this report was also guided by Capt. Roland. Two anglers from San Antonia, Mike and Chuck, along with their sons, fished the Grant area and were entertained by the usual cast of characters; redfish, snook and trout. The thing that made this trip so memorable though was a cameo appearance of a fourth species – GROUPER. Grouper is a rare find in the Indian River but recently Roland has been able to locate several pods of this highly sought-after species. Pictured below are Mike and his son posing with one to the four large grouper fought on the day.
