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Take a Kid Fishing Report

May 10, 2024 by · Leave a Comment

Take a Kid Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this Take a Kid Fishing Report. This week we got our first taste of Florida summer, which lasts into October. Daytime temperatures in the 90s. The only thing missing were the lightning storms. Honestly, it makes me want to stay in the AC. What a wuss.

Subscribers without photos- go to https://www.spottedtail.com/blog/, please.

Monday

This reporter has been known to preach, “Take a kid fishing!” It’s still good advice. Son Maxx has a high school friend, Danny, who wants to take up fishing. Mind you, this “kid” is 35. Still, it’s new blood. I took him and Caleb out of River Breeze.

Danny doing some paddling, plenty of it this day.

Danny is really at the beginning of the learning curve. I didn’t spare him on the paddling, and it got pretty windy. He not only survived it, he liked it- now, that’s a good sign! He got a dink trout and a ladyfish on the DOA Deadly Combo, and missed some bites. Caleb got a handsome red on a swimbait. I spent most of my time on instruction, and did not touch a fish. More to come- stay tuned.

Caleb and friend.

Tuesday

Mike Danagher and I walked the Econ, throwing soft plastics. It was not red-hot, but we each caught some bass and a gar. Mike had never fished the Econ before, and found it to be great fun!

Mickey D and his fish.

Wednesday

I started on the Indian River Lagoon. My heart jumped- a rolling tarpon! They were little ones, but still. I stuck two on the RipTide Sardine, putting one in the air. Total contact time was on the order of 1.37 seconds. I did not see or touch any other kinds of fish, and soon pulled the kayak and went to Mosquito Lagoon, where the water was clean and the reds and snook spooky.

After just chasing fish away with the fly rod, I stuck two reds, also on the RipTide Sardine. I landed the smaller and broke off the larger, with a contact time on that fish of 0.13 seconds. All-in-all a beautiful, windy, enjoyable, but not very productive fishing-wise, day.

Thursday

– everyone’s favorite, errands day!

Friday

Jorge Hidalgo and I went walking the Econ, bass fishing. For me, two stumpknockers and two warmouth crashed the party. It got hot, but we had a good time. The fish were fairly cooperative.

Didn’t touch a fish with the fly rod all week.

That’s the take a kid fishing report. Thanks again for reading!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Go walking! Stay active!

John Kumiski
www.johnkumiski.com
www.spottedtail.com
www.spottedtail.com/blog

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, © John Kumiski 2024. All rights are reserved.

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Winter Solstice Fishing Report

December 17, 2021 by · Leave a Comment

Winter Solstice Fishing Report

Season’s Greetings! Thank you for reading this Winter Solstice Fishing Report. Pagans, your day is almost here! Christians, Merry Christmas! Regardless of who or what you worship, please enjoy your winter holidays safely!

Since Christmas is next Saturday, and New Year’s is the following Saturday, readers will not see another blog until about January 8. A little blogging vacation I will take!

Speaking of blogs, Patrick Young wrote an excellent guest blog for me about gifts for outdoorsmen (or women). Read it here…

Fishing, now there’s a story.

Monday I took Gary, who had a gift certificate to fish with me purchased before my retirement, fishing. I wanted to honor the certificate. We took a canoe and went to the Indian River Lagoon, where we saw exactly one redfish in six hours, and where I caught two trout that maybe I could have stretched to 15 inches. Unfortunately, Gary caught nothing. Good thing I no longer need referrals. In spite of the lack of fish it was truly beautiful out there.

It gets better.

Tuesday morning, I met Dave Caprera at Spruce Creek. I took the kayak off the car, and went to load it up. Right away I noticed that there were no paddles of any kind in the car. I’d taken out the kayak paddle Sunday while getting ready for Monday. I’d taken the canoe paddles out Monday while getting ready for Tuesday, but failed to re-insert the kayak paddle. What do they call that? Old-timer’s disease? Well, Duh…

I drove home, of course. Dave went anyway, and did not touch a fish.

Friday, I went bass fishing, by foot, with a spin rod, in the Econlockhatchee. Five fish between 12 and 14 inches on Culprit worms and 3″ Shad in five hours, with a bonus eight-inch fish thrown in too.

Exceptionally beautiful day- ya gotta love the weather this time of year. The river is still higher than I like, but it seems to be fishing ok.

As they say, that’s all she wrote. Thanks for reading!

Once again, the merriest of Christmases to all.

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! Go paddling! Take a walk! Stay active!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide

Purchase a signed copy of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2021. All rights are reserved.

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Another E.C. FL Fishing Report

September 5, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Another E.C. FL Fishing Report

Thank you for reading my E.C. FL Fishing Report.

Monday– NOAA predicted 1-2 foot seas with an 11 second period. A bathtub! Reality proved the NOAA prediction incorrect, although the Mitzi was up to it. Launched at the port at 7 am. Right outside the port birds were everywhere, screaming and dipping. I did not see any fish, so I headed to the cape.

There were some small fish breaking there. I tossed a Krebs popper a few times and came up with a Florida-sized bluefish.

The wind was southwest so I stayed close to the beach. The water was dirty. There were big balls of glass minnows, and the only things bothering them were sharks and birds. Weird.

Casting a tan Clouser minnow around one of the balls, I got a small jack and then a nice pompano. Surprise!

This fish was a pleasant surprise.

Did not see any tunny or mackerel.

On the way back there was a school of menhaden in the bight. No fish that I could see. That was it for the day. The boat was on the trailer at noon. The skies opened up shortly after that.

Tuesday- non-fishing day to say the least. Had an early MRI, love those.

Afterwards I brought the chariot in for service. Sue and I have been talking about getting a minivan, the idea being we would turn it into a camper, then drive to San Francisco to visit Maxx and Catalina. My thought was I would see what they (AutoNation Toyota, Winter Park) had on the lot while I waited for my car to be serviced. Just checking out the scene.

They had a 2014 Sienna with 67,000 miles on it.

My car needed $1700 worth of work, but was worth $3000 as a trade-in.

I, to my own great surprise, drove the Sienna home. This is close to what we want to do with it-

Thursday I took the back seats out of the van, then had U-Haul install a trailer hitch and wiring.

Friday– went kayak fly fishing on the grossly dirty Mosquito Lagoon. Ran into Ed Wisecki at the boat ramp- Hi, Ed!

Found a rare trio of redfish, tails barely breaking the surface as they cruised. Doubt I could have seen them otherwise. Dropped a black Clouser Minnow in front of them- Score! Did not see much else. It was hot but otherwise quite lovely, at least until the skies opened.

I feel blessed to have found a fish like this in the soupy waters of Mosquito Lagoon.

There are many good fishermen and some great ones, but there is only one you. – Ernest Hemingway

Life is great and I love my apparent retirement!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Orlando Fishing Report, port canaveral fishing report · Tagged: , , , ,

Another East Central Florida Fishing Report

August 29, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Another East Central Florida Fishing Report

Thank you for reading another east central Florida Fishing Report. Kind of fished around this week, and none too seriously at that.

Monday– in spite of 20 mph winds and 60 percent rain chance I went kayaking on Mosquito Lagoon. I saw exactly one redfish while wading, put the slider three feet in front of it. The fish crushed the fly and I got it. Unbelievable, with the dirty water and in that weather.

Tuesday– stayed home, tied some flies and listened to Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Mose Allison, and Jethro Tull. Good times.

I made a flock of faux fishies.

Wednesday– beach day with Susan. Brought a cheap rod and reel I found along the Econ, a sand spike, and some shrimp. When the wind is from the southeast you get the Miami mud and terrible fishing. My first bite didn’t take long, and it was memorable- with a double hook rig, two (at once!) hardhead cats. After releasing the sixth one I gave up. I just sat and watched the waves and the birds. Nice morning!

License tag of a car parked at the beach. But the Red Sox are terrible this year.

Thursday– Susan wanted to go for a boat ride, so we hooked the Mitzi up to the car and went to Mosquito Lagoon. Figured I may as well look for fish at the same time. HA! The joke was on me.

Susan takes her boat rides seriously.

The Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon are both in full algae bloom mode. The water is brown, opaque, disgusting, heart-breaking. We rode around for two hours. The best water I saw was green instead of brown. You certainly get a different perspective in the skiff versus the kayak. Every time the algae blooms (every summer for the past six or seven years) I wonder if the water will ever clear up again. One of these times it won’t, I fear.

Friday– joined Walt Sheppard for a Spruce Creek kayak trip. Armed with a six-weight, I sallied forth to do battle with whatever Leviathan I could find.

I missed my first four bites. Guess I wasn’t ready. The third, fourth, and fifth bites were a baby tarpon. The hook stuck in number five. I was able to leader the little guy before he hopped off. Fly was a small bucktail streamer.

John with a baby tarpon. File photo by Tammy Wilson.

I did not get another bite, but did have to drag my boat a ways. I followed a six-inch long mantis shrimp, which I apparently spooked, about 20 feet. Those things look like they would be mighty tasty. Very graceful, beautiful creatures they are.

A Poem

We, this people, on this small and drifting planet
Whose hands can strike with such abandon
That in a twinkling, life is sapped from the living
Yet those same hands can touch with such healing, irresistible tenderness
That the haughty neck is happy to bow
And the proud back is glad to bend
Out of such chaos, of such contradiction
We learn that we are neither devils nor divines
– Maya Angelou

Life is great and I love my apparent retirement!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

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East Central Florida Fishing and more Report

August 22, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

East Central Florida Fishing and more Report

Thank you for reading this east central Florida Fishing and more Report. Only fished two days this week. 🙁

The More (most of it)
September is nine days away. The year is flying by!

There are two tropical storms churning out there. Both are supposed to hit the same spot on the Gulf coast. Someone’s gonna need some prayers and financial assistance….

Government Newspeak- announce a new initiative with no funding or personnel. Brilliant! https://www.floridaphoenix.com/2020/08/20/musings-on-florida-and-the-politics-of-pythons/

Cheryl Kumiski, the official sister of the Spotted Tail, is an artist working in glass. You can see her work, and maybe purchase some of it (unique and thoughtful gifts) at this link- https://www.etsy.com/shop/cherylkumiskiglass

Lion Cub in glass, by Cheryl Kumiski

The FISHING!
Monday Walt Sheppard joined me again for some action out of Port Canaveral. My goal was to get him some tunny on fly. We found the bluefish and Spanish mackerel first, then went looking for tunny.

At first they were no-shows. I kept looking, and they started showing. Walt got his first on a sting silver. The tip-top fell off his spin rod though, and rather than use mine he picked up his fly pole. Perfect!

It took us a few opportunities but we finally got close to a group of fish that kept breaking. Walt laid the fly into them and BAM!

 

Walt got this tunny with a glass minnow fly.

The process repeated itself a few minutes later.

Then Walt said to me, “You should get one.” So I did. By now the fish were going off pretty good, but it was noon, and it was hot. Walt said, “I’ve had enough,” so we loaded the boat and headed home.

Thanks for a great morning, Walt!

Tuesday‘s visit with the pulmonologist was less fun than Monday was.

Wednesday Susan and I went to the beach up at New Smyrna. The surf fishermen were catching a few whiting. The surfers were loving life.

Thursday I went kayak fly fishing on Mosquito Lagoon. The water was as high as I’ve seen it this year, 1.4 feet on the Haulover Canal gauge https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?02248380. It’s real dirty, too. It took a couple hours but I found a shallow area where I could kind of see the bottom. There were a few redfish there and I used a slider to catch a couple. It was more fun than the pulmonologist visit.

I (and the rest of humanity) will be happy and relieved when the pandemic is over.

Life is great and I love my apparent retirement!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Orlando Fishing Report, port canaveral fishing report · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

Port Canaveral and More Fishing Report

August 15, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Port Canaveral and More Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this Port Canaveral and more Fishing Report.

Sunday morning, sick of being house-bound, I had Susan drop me off at the 419 bridge over the Econ. No fish were harmed in the making of this trip. It was a speed test. I left the bridge at 9 am, reaching Snow Hill Road at 1140. Pretty zippy! Saw only seven alligators!

Love, love, love to see this!

Monday– Susan joined me for a Port Canaveral scout. She has to limit her sun exposure, so it was to be a short trip. Launched the boat at 9, ran up the beach. Found a large school of breaking mackerel and caught a few, then continued on. Found a spot with some bluefish. Headed out to sea. Lots of tunny! Got one on a jig, then headed back to the port. Done at noon.

First tunny of the season for me. Here’s to many more!

Tuesday– family beach trip to Bethune Beach. There were balls of glass minnows along the beach. I did not see any tarpon, but something (I suspect ladyfish) was wearing those poor minnows out. Saw larger fish breaking sporadically farther out. I’ll be happy when Canaveral National Seashore starts opening early in the morning again.

Wednesday– Walt Shepperd joined me for a Port Canaveral trip. Boat left the dock at 730. Found a small school of breaking mackerel, caught a few. I tossed a Sting Silver , Walt a No-Eql . The macs were relatively small ones. They were scattered all along the beach. The bluefish were still at the bluefish spot.

Walt battles the wicked tunny.

We went out looking for tunny. We only found a few at first, but they got really thick, just awesome. I love watching them blitz! The Sting Silver worked best, although I did get one on a streamer.

It was a beautiful fish!

We caught 30 or 40 fish, a great morning all-in-all. Thanks for joining me, Walt!

Thursday– had errands to do, and then had the great pleasure (!) of pressure washing my driveway.

Not my photo, but this is ceviche.

Friday– I wanted to make ceviche  and needed a fish, so I boldly took the kayak to Mosquito Lagoon looking for a slot redfish. I found one, 23 inches, that took my slider. The filets are in my refrigerator as I write this (it’s the first redfish I’ve killed in four or five years), and the ceviche will be eaten for supper tonight. Bon appetit!

Time for Some Simple Frugality??
Two centuries of industrialization, population growth, and frenzied economic activity has bequeathed us smog; polluted lakes, rivers and oceans; toxic waste; soil erosion; deforestation; extinction of plant and animal species, and global warming. The philosophy of frugal simplicity expresses values and advocates a lifestyle that might be our best hope for reversing these trends and preserving our planet’s fragile ecosystems.

Think about it.

Thanks for reading this Port Canaveral and more fishing report!

Life is great and I love my apparent retirement!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

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A Short Lagoons Fishing Report

August 8, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

A Short Lagoons Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this Short Lagoons Fishing Report. No slam this week! Only fished two days.

Bake with a Mosquito Lagoon redfish, circa 1990.

Steve Baker RIP. I learned Sunday that my old friend and mentor Steve Baker passed away last week. Read my eulogy here…

Tuesday– launched the kayak on the Indian River Lagoon, before sunrise, visions of snook on fly dancing in my head. The snook had other plans. I don’t know what those plans were, but they didn’t include getting caught by me. Got one redfish on a RipTide shad. Stuffed, baked, and served on a plate it would have made a lovely hors d’ouvre. Did find the baby tarpon rolling, convinced one to take a fly. Said fly pulled out just as the leader hit the rod. Other than the stars and birds, that was my morning. It was quite a pleasant morning to be paddling!

Not a 50 pounder from the NMZ, but a black drum on fly.

Friday– went to Mosquito Lagoon with kayak. Did not bring the spin rod. Spectacular day, if a little warm. Found a few fish, even through the murk. Convinced a few to take my flies.

The redfish worm strikes again!

Time flies so fast once youth is past that we cannot accomplish one half the many things we have in mind or indeed one half our duties. The only safe and sensible plan is to make other things give way to the essentials, and the first of these is fly fishing. – Theodore Gordon

Life is great and I love my apparent retirement!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

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Beaches and More Fishing Report

July 18, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Beaches and More Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this beaches and more Fishing Report. The week had its interesting moments.

Monday– Susan and I went to New Smyrna Beach, parked at Bethune Beach Park. I brought a light spin rod and some shrimp I found in the freezer. When I got around to fishing it was with a pair of small bucktail jigs rigged tandem. I tipped each jig with a small piece of shrimp. Little nibbly fish kept stealing the shrimp, but I did catch a small whiting, successfully keeping the skunk at bay, for whatever that’s worth.

Had lunch at JB’s, then went to the national seashore. While still on the boardwalk over the dune I could see a bait ball just off the beach. Whoosh! a big tarpon launched itself right through it, getting me pretty durned excited!

We took a long walk down the beach and back, but I didn’t see much else.

Tuesday– encouraged by what I’d seen the previous day and a favorable weather forecast, I launched the Mitzi at the Port at 6 AM, then headed up the beach. At the tip of the Cape there were a few scattered tarpon rolling. I blind-cast with the 12-weight for a bit, but that gets old real fast. It’s hard to target scattered rolling fish.

Dawn at Cape Canaveral.

I continued up the beach for a couple hours before I saw anything else. Then I ran over a single tarpon, and then a small string. I cut the motor and went on the electric.

By now there were lots of clouds. Visibility would be good for a few minutes, then a cloud would come. I saw a fish here and again, but always too close to me to do much with.

If I had a cigar I would have swallowed it when here came an honest-to-God string, right on top. Only about a dozen fish, but still. I waited for them to get into range then made my cast. One of the fish saw the rod move and spooked, boogering up the rest. I did not get bit. But my knees were shaking!

A while later here came another string. Just before they got into range a cloud came. I extrapolated and made the cast. The line came tight, a big fish came flying out of the water. When it crashed back down the leader popped and I was out a fly. But my knees were shaking, bad!

The clouds were building to the west. Just one more shot, I told myself. I spotted another string out past my position. I tried for 30 minutes to get in front of them and ended up losing them. I raced the storms back to the port. We arrived simultaneously, about noon.

Wednesday– Launched the kayak in the Indian River Lagoon at the spot I’d seen the baby ‘poons last week, again armed with a six-weight and a spin rod. The water was significantly higher. The majority of the fish were gone. Did get a couple small snookers on a DOA Shrimp.

Two identical sized snook, fooled with a faux shrimp.

Thursday– Susan and I basically repeated Monday’s plan, although I bought some shrimp at the bait shop. All my casting at Bethune Beach netted me one small black drum. The guy fishing near me caught several whiting on shrimp, though.

A ball of glass minnows along the beach.

After lunch we went to the seashore. There were balls of glass minnows right in the surf, and sharks and tarpon cruising between the beach and the first bar. I was all worked up. I watched a six-foot tarpon come in through the breaking surf into about a foot of water. Its back was in the air. I didn’t have a fishing rod, but could hardly have been more thrilled. Amazing stuff, that was!

And that was my week fishing.

I am convinced that the ideal combination leading to a happy life is to have the time to both fish and read. – Brian Murphy

Life is great and I love my work!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Orlando Fishing Report, port canaveral fishing report · Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Independence Day Central Florida Fishing Report

July 5, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Independence Day Central Florida Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this independence day central Florida Fishing Report. Not a great deal to report, unfortunately. The weather this week was great, all week. And safely enjoy your holiday!

Monday– Launched the Mitzi at the north causeway ramp (New Smyrna Beach) at sunrise. Idled to the coast guard station, then ran out of Ponce Inlet. Hadn’t been there in a long time.

There was a shrimp boat out about a mile. I went out to check. Lots of rolling dolphins, lots of pelicans sitting on the rigging. Saw no fish, got no bites.

The plan was to run south down the beach. I want tarpon, they’ve been my primary target through all my searching.

I ran down past the Canaveral Seashore entrance, saw nothing the entire way. No bait, either.

Ran back to the inlet. Now there were two shrimpers out there. Went and checked again. They were shoveling bycatch overboard. The pelicans were going crazy. There were no fish. I’ve been behind shrimpers when shoveling happened and fish were there- it doesn’t take much smarts to figure THAT out. The water churns!

Ran north to Daytona Beach Pier. Water was beautiful. Still no bait, no fish. Went back to the ramp and loaded the boat.

Tuesday– Walt Sheppard joined me for some Mosquito Lagoon fishing. At one spot the air was sweet with the scent of mangrove blossoms. You could hear the buzzing of working bees. There weren’t many fish around though. Walt got a couple small trout, I got a couple small reds, all on DOA Shrimp. Thank you, Walt!

Wednesday– Susan and I went to the beach! Smyrna Dunes Park, great place. No fishing, but I watched the fishermen. Did not see anyone catch a fish, nor did I see any fish or bait.

Got to watch the sun rise on Friday.

Friday– still looking for tarpon, I went to the north Mosquito Lagoon. I actually found a few rolling. You could only see them when they rolled. I blind-cast with the ten-weight for about three hours without a sniff. Another guy had a bait out on one rod and cast a fly with the other. No bites. Two guys came floating by, fishing the minnow trifecta- mullet, croakers, and pinfish. They said they got 20 pounds of sailcat but had not touched a tarpon. When the jet skiers and water skiers started up I packed it in.

In the past three weeks I have looked for tarpon in the Banana River Lagoon, the Indian River Lagoon, the Mosquito Lagoon, and along the beach from Satellite Beach to the Daytona Beach Pier, less Canaveral National Seashore. I have had one decent shot. There does not seem to be many Megalops around central Florida at this time.

Life is great and I love my work!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Orlando Fishing Report · Tagged: , ,

Silver King Search Central Florida Fishing Report

June 27, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Silver King Search Central Florida Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this Silver King Search Central Florida Fishing Report. A belated happy father’s day to all you dads. Last week I was so excited about the solstice I completely overlooked it!

Recently I stated I have not been in Florida at this time of year for over a decade. My goal this week, and perhaps next, is to survey the kingdom and see what I have available to me, fishing-wise. If this week is any indication, what’s available is, not much.

I put some hours on the Yamaha this week.

Monday– Launched the Mitzi at the Port at sunrise. During the drive over in the dark I got to watch a thunderhead doing its best 4th of July celebration, even though it was a bit early. It just kept going off! Fortunately for me, it was well offshore.

The plan was to run south down the beach. I want tarpon, they’ve been my primary target through all my searching. I ran into Scott Lum at the ramp. He told me his buddy found some tarpon in the bight the previous day. My plan changed immediately.

I ran to the Cape, saw nothing. So Plan A was resurrected. I ran from the cape to Patrick AFB, stopping along the way to net some pogies.

Turned out I did not need any bait. I saw nothing the entire way.

Halfway down Patrick I took a left and went east for a couple miles, then headed north. Maybe there were some fishies out deeper! Saw nothing until I got near the Disney cruise ship, where a small school of tunny was busting. I hooked two on a jig and lost them both.

By now the wind had laid down. I went back to the cape hoping the tarpon would be there. Nope! I looked for them the whole way back to the port, saw nothing, not even jacks. Tossed all the pogies back in the ocean, loaded the boat onto the trailer.

Tuesday– Launched the Mitzi at Beacon 42 shortly after sunrise. Looked for fish on the outside of the spoil islands (wind was west) while blindcasting, up to marker 25. Got a few small trout, very slow going. Went and looked along Tiger Shoal. Historically big trout were there this time of year, feeding on mullet and laying eggs. The mullet were there. The trout were not.

It looks like algae is starting to bloom. I hope I’m wrong.

One of two reds I saw.

Worked some of my favorite east side spots. Saw two reds working the shoreline. I got the first on a DOA Shrimp. My cast to the second was too good. You know that kind of cast, the one that screams “death from above” to the fish?

So for the day I got one red and maybe eight small trout.

Wednesday– launched the Mitzi at sunrise at Port St. John. Went looking for tarpon without success. Loaded the boat and trailered it to Marina Park. Looked along the shoreline, saw a few trout and black drum. No one would bite.

Ran from the railroad trestle up to Scottsmoor, across to the bombing target, and south to the ICW. I moved exactly one fish. Water on the west side looked terrible. It was fairly clear on the east side but still devoid of life, although I did not check the shoreline. I do not need to go up there again for a while.

Thursday John Berry joined me for some Mosquito Lagoon fishing. Tossing DOA Shrimp exclusively, we got five species of fish between us- trout, snook, and one each of flounder, snapper, and ladyfish. All of the fish were on the small side, but the bite was pretty steady. We were done at noon.

Friday, still looking for tarpon, I went to the Port again. I had a hot tip the fish were “way down south.” I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I hoped to find out.

You could tell that dust cloud is here. The sun rose through a veil.

The dust caused serious haze.

The sea was glassy. You could see a tarpon roll a quarter mile off. I went to Satellite Beach and saw exactly one. I’m starting to think way down south means Sebastian Inlet. The Mitzi has a six gallon fuel tank and I carry an extra two. Sebastian is a little out of range.

I turned around at Satellite Beach and looked farther out. Scattered tunny were busting, nothing readily targetable. I love tunny, but they certainly aren’t tarpon.

I spent an hour off the cape. A few fish were rolling there, but again, nothing you could really target. Tossing a pogy out and hoping for the best got me two sharks. I told Susan I’d be home around 1 PM, so quitting time came around noon.

If anyone knows where I could find some tarpon, in the lagoons, or out of the Port or Ponce Inlet, I would love to hear about it.

Life is great and I love my work!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

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