Indian River Fishing Report For Week of August 20, 2011

This Indian River fishing report is for the week of August 20, 2011. 

The water levels in both lagoon systems has risen over the last couple of weeks and has opened up some fishing areas, particularly in the marsh areas,  that were previously on dry land.

The best bite has been early in the morning for sea trout that are targeting the schools of bait fish that can now be found in good numbers in both the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River.

Top water plugs or a live ladyfish or finger mullet free lined on the surface will get the larger fish.

As the water gets warmer in the late morning, the trout have been moving into the 3 and 4 foot depths around large pot holes and over the sea grass.

You can catch them using a variety of baits but the one "do nothing" rig that works well that my wife Karen swears by, is a Cajun Thunder clacking bobber rig with either a D.O.A. shrimp or a plastic paddle tail bait under about 12" to 18" of fluorocarbon leader.

The D.O.A. Deadly Combo Lure, Oval Float, Gold Glitter works just as well and is less expensive but be sure to use a loop knot when you fish it and give the bait time to settle between jerks.

Flip the rig out and twitch it.  When the bobber sits upright in the water,  wait a second or two and twitch it again.  Every time it flips upright, the shrimp drops slowly to the bottom and this is usually when you get the hit.

This rig is really deadly using live shrimp.

The grass beds that are in 3 to 5 feet of water in the northern part of the Indian River are loaded with good sized sea trout right now and there's not much fishing pressure in this area.

I've got a few reports about the Dummit Cove area being full of big sea trout feeding over the grass beds and some guys catching nice sized redfish in the shallows throughout that area.

The grass flats that parallel the Western shore of the Indian River from Titusville north have always been a relatively under fished area for schools of big redfish in depths from 1 to 3 feet

Some really big redfish in the 30 pound plus class are now being caught on the flats south of Titusville by sight fishermen.  I talked to a couple of guys at The Fly Fisherman who pick them off with Dahlberg Divers.

These fish are spooky right now and require longer casts with lighter line.

The eastern shores of the Indian River in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge from  Peacocks Pocket south, is still hot for redfish in the shallows and sea trout in the early mornings and late evening.

My wife and I have only been able to get out just before dusk but we have been spotting some really big redfish and sea trout throughout this area.

Again the best baits are live finger mullet, ladyfish, D.O.A. jerkbaits or top water baits.

Yesterday evening we picked up several trout, a garfish and missed three over sized redfish in only a little over an hour of fishing. 

I caught the trout on top water STORM Rattlin' Chug Bug - 3.25" - Gizzard Shad and missed all the reds on large finger mullet.

Hopefully, I'll be able to get more time on the water on Sunday.

Till then, Tight Lines.