The Shuttle Has Left The Pad!

Well the shuttle finally left the pad, and the fish didn't even notice! They're still biting!

Went down to the Indian River Friday evening, near the Max Brewer Bridge construction area, to check out the shuttle launch and the fishing.

Both came off without a hitch. The shallows on the north side of the causeway were loaded with bait fish that were sometimes flipping right on the bank.

They were being chased unmercifully by large trout and some medium snook. There might have been a redfish in there, but I never got one.

A top water chug bug did the trick until the launch occurred near midnight.

I would have tried other lures, but I grabbed only one rod when I left the house, and the top water was the lure for the night.

Anyway, here is a somewhat out of focus video of the shuttle launch. I didn't bother taking any shots of the trout, but I will tomorrow if my wife and I get to go out. Unfortunately, once the shuttle's off the pad during a night launch, all you get to really see is the UFO like white light.

It's much better seeing one in person!

Till then, tight lines to all!

Endeavour Shuttle Launch

This morning's beautiful daybreak was bright and cloudless, however my planned fishing excursion to the Mosquito Lagoon was thwarted by the Endeavour shuttle launch scheduled for 7:39 p.m. ET.

Here is a collage of shuttle shots that might be of interest.

I had planned to fish "whale's tail" , one of my favorite spots in the southern part of the lagoon, to pick up some of the large gator trout that are still mauling the baitfish pods but forgot about the area being off limits before and just after a launch.

Late Friday evening, my wife and I drove down to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge to get in some culvert fishing before dark, but were turned away at the entrance by the KSC officers that were closing off the area for the launch.

I totally forgot about it until this morning when I was setting up the boat.

If all goes well, the launch will allow the areas to be opened tomorrow, however NASA officials estimated only a 40 per cent chance for Endeavour's planned lift off. Thunderstorms are threatening this evening's launch which is already running a month past due.

We may go out this afternoon to get in a bit of fishing but with the storm activity will probably get some work done around the home front.

Hope you guys get some fishing in, and until next time; tight lines!

Shuttle Launch Sport Shrimping

The space shuttle Discovery launched this evening on the Space Coast without a hitch and as usual for evening missions, lit up the Indian River as the shrimpers were assembling their long handled shrimp nets.

I didn't bring my camera for any new pics, however I took the opportunity to ask several shrimpers about their activities.

The gent's I spoke with all said about the same thing. The shrimp were definately running and they were huge. One gent said he dipped 250 shrimp "the other night" and they were all from 6" to 10" long.

The other guys said about the same thing but with differing quantities. Everyone else I spoke with also said the shrimp they caught were over 6 inches long.

If there wasn't so much traffic right now down by the river, I'd consider bring my old net and a couple of lights and give it a try. Seven or eight shrimp would just about do me for a good dinner.

Well maybe next week.

Tight lines and heavy shrimp buckets to all!