Redfish Anniversary Present

After a 6 1/2 hour drive from Columbia, S.C. my wife and I decided to celebrate our anniversary with a fishing trip to the Indian River lagoon.

We exchanged cards and packed up the minimum amount of equipment so we could get in as much fishing as possible before dark.

As we headed for our fishing spot in the southern part of Shiloh

Marsh drive, we noticed that the Black Point Wildlife Drive was for some reason closed.

The weather was splendid and the scenery was beautiful as usual for this time of year and I really didn't care if I caught any fish or not. I just wanted to get out and enjoy the fresh air and unwind from the drive.

On the way into the drive we didn't see one single person in the area, which suited me just fine.

We dediced to stop at an area that I only fished a couple of times with mixed results, but since there was nobody else in the area, we parked the truck, baited up and started fishing.

Karen wanted to fish one rod with cut bait and another with shrimp, so I cut up some mullet for her and myself and we cast out to different sides of the river.

I caught a couple of nice sized catfish and Karen had something steal her shrimp, which I suspected were probably trout that were chasing bait fish in the area.

The culverts were open and the water was flowing into the Indian River side of the swamp area.

This is usually a recipe for good fishing. The flowing culverts push bait fish and small crabs into the maws of waiting catfish, sea trout, redfish and black drum.

There was little surface activity so I tied on a 3/4 oz. gold Johnson Sprite spoon with a red tag.

After about a dozen casts, I had a savage strike from what I believe was a large snook that was prowling in very shallow water. I missed hooking it and watched it take off like one of the space shuttles.

After several more casts, I hooked on to a heavy fish that sent my reel screaming.

I was using yellow Power Pro line with a 20# fluorocarbon leader which makes a unique sound as the line goes through the rod guides when a fish runs.

I fought the fish for at least 10 minutes before getting it close enough to identify. A few more minutes of fight and a boga grip finally got the bruiser to the photo op I planned for her.

Karen measured the fish in at 32" and after taking a hook from another angler out of her gullet; I revived her and put her back into the river top fight another day.

Like clockwork, the mosquitoes started their blood sucking ritual on Elmo, Karen and myself, so we decided to head to the ranch.

This redfish broke the fishing slump I was in and for me, topped off our wedding anniversary. It was a perfect redfish anniversary present.

I took some pics of the scenery and the beautiful sunset. Hope you enjoy them.

Till next time; Tight Lines!

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Closures

Due to the space shuttle launch and high water conditions on the northern Indian River, the roads in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge have been closed. Except for Black Point Wildlife Drive and the boat ramp at Haulover Canal, most of the drives are now open. This includes Peacock Pocket road, where kayakers and Ghenoe owners are now again able to launch their craft for their shallow water sight fishing excursions.

The Black Point Wildlife Drive will be closed for several months for paving of the dirt drives. SR 406 is also closed to vehicle traffic. Birdwatchers and other tourists should be pleased with the upgrade when it is gets completed, however I do question the timing.

Right now the beautiful pink and red spoonbills, as well as other migratory waterfowl, are beginning to arrive. The alligators are also out in force, much to the benefit of tourists and photographers, should they choose to navigate the dirt roads of the Wildlife Refuge.

It seems to me that winter would have been a more appropriate time to begin the construction.

Anyway, as long as I'm on the topic; the old shrimping and fishing pier next to Max Brewer Memorial Parkway, is being dismantled as I speak.

My wife made several calls to find out what is in the planning around the causeway bridge, and how long the construction will take. The answers have been less than specific, but a new bridge is being constructed to replace the turn style bridge that is now in place.

A new shrimping and fishing pier, probably part of the old bridge, will be in place underneath the new bridge.

There have been several occasions where detours were in effect so that the swing span bridge could be repaired. This problem has also caused the ICW to be closed at times, to higher boat traffic. No new information about replacing the damaged docks at the boat launch was available, other than "they will be repaired".

In any event, progress seems to be rolling right along, weather we approve of it or not.

As of this date, there are normal spring conditions on the north Indian River. Wading, and jump fishing along the drives is great. The mullet schools are all over the river and the fish are enjoying a smorgasbord.

Saturday afternoon, I went for a brief field trip with my wife Karen and our wonder dog Elmo, to check out the newly opened drives.

The fishermen were catching trout, redfish, and the usual catfish and rays. One angler I spoke with, was closely guarding an area I call "snook point", where he just caught a 30" gator trout with a pink and green bass assassin. I was going to tell him that they move around, but I don't think he would have cared much.

I picked up about 10 trout with the same bait he was using and later switched to my favorite creme swim bait with equally good results. My wife and I spooked several over sized redfish, with no hookups, and she also landed some nice sized catfish and rays.

I plan on sneaking out tomorrow to try another area and will update this weekend report after I return.

Tight lines to all!

Black Point Wildlife Drive

December in central Florida is a great time for shrimping, fishing and bird watching.

The Black Point Wildlife Drive, located around the Indian River lagoon in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, is a spectacular bird watching location that draws visitors from around the world.

The one way drive begins and ends on S.R. 406 and provides a means of viewing all types of migratory waterfowl as well as the sometimes seen wild boar, deer, raccoon, bobcat and other animals and reptiles.

Some of the pics found here give a fair representation of what you might come across on the drive.

I have personally seen just about everything while fishing and taking pictures in the area and additional examples of bird species can be found throughout this blog.

This weekend provided some great photo opportunities for some of the early arrivals as pictured above.

The roseatte spoonbills usually show up later on towards spring, however these obviously didn't get the memo.

If you enjoy nature, and are in the neighborhood; the Black Point area attracts more bird species than ever before and is considered one of the premier birding areas in Florida.

The best time to visit the gateway to the "great Florida birding trail" is anytime. 

I say this because it's true; the duck population peaks in the fall thru winter and spring brings in a new crop of visitors via the flyways

This past weekend the scenery was just great.

If you ever get the chance to visit the Black Point Wildlife Drive, I highly recommend it.

Hope you enjoy the pics.

Lousy Bank Fishing

Went to the Haulover Canal on Saturday and tried for some of the 30 pound plus redfish that live there, with no results.

I was using half of a ladyfish for bait on two surf rods with 60# Power Pro, 4 oz. egg sinkers and 30# fluorocarbon leaders snelled to 5/0 Owner circle hooks.

The hurricane evidently shut down the bite for the big bull redfish that usually run up and down the canal.

All around the area, waders, boaters and bank fishermen alike weren't doing so well either.

It should be noted that most of the drives were roped off by the NASA people either because of an upcoming shuttle launch, or the high water conditions.

The Black Point wildlife drive was apparently open, but the adjacent drive, which is a redfish hot spot was closed to vehicle traffic as of Saturday afternoon.

Oh well, at least the wildlife was available for some nice pics.....

Tight Lines to all!