North Indian River Lagoon Fishing Report

The North Indian River Lagoon area north of Mims, Fl., is definitely the place to catch a heavyweight redfish this time of year.

The unusually shallow water levels of this past fall and winter are slowly disappearing and giving way to freshly covered grass and mud flats.

The dried mudflat areas are now covered with water deep enough for the large bull redfish in the area, to charge into for an easy meal of crabs, mud minnows and anything else they can get their maws around. The most active feeding time seems to be in the late afternoon and evenings.

Although the reds in the Mosquito Lagoon are longer, and are more within the slot limits, the bruisers in the north Indian River Lagoon are bulkier and weigh well over 40 pounds.

The Scottsmoor landing area is producing bull redfish as well as the 5 to 10 pound redfish that are seen tailing in medium to large sized schools, and an occasional single.

The start of the spring mullet run has made the redfish aggressive towards top water lures. My favorites are a silver and black "chug bug" and black and gold "skitter walk" plugs. A D.O.A. jerk bait rigged weedless, without a keel sinker on the hook, is also an all time favorite of mine.

My wife usually uses dead shrimp or mullet and does quite well, especially later on in the season.

The lush grass flats between Titusville, Fl. and the north end of the Indian River are famous for sight fishing for the tailing redfish as well as the gator trout that stake out their ambush spots around the sandy potholes.

I have gotten reports of sow gator trout that were caught on top water lures that weighed in at over 13 pounds this past week. Ten pounders are routinely caught in these waters and I believe the world record was also caught in the Indian River Lagoon.

For those of you not in the know, these fish can exceed 30 inches in length. It's no wonder that the Indian River Lagoon is noted as an exceptional area for these early spring tackle busters.

All this talk makes me want to go fishing. It is late Sunday afternoon; So, I think I will!

Tight lines.

April Gator Trout Fishing

Early spring fishing in central Florida's Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River systems is noted for producing huge Gator trout. In normal years, April would hail the mullet migration into the estuaries, however this year the silver schools may be running a bit late.

The abnormally low water levels that we experienced this year, cleaned out the river system and produced the crystal clear waters which is good for the estuary.

The February and March low water conditions provided some incredible sight fishing opportunities for gator sea trout in the sandy pockets of the Mosquito Lagoon's grass flats, and also for early morning tailing redfish on the shallow flats.

The fly fishermen in particular did quite well, using stealthy approaches, and making long casts, to fish in crystal clear water less than a foot deep, in many locations.

If the rains begin on time, and the water levels start rising,we should see some great trout fishing this April.

Egg laden female gator trout of up to 3 feet long will be spawning in the shallows before the new and full moons and chasing silver mullet schools all over the place. This is really the best time of year for anyone interested in snagging a trophy trout.

Early morning and late evening fishing with top water skitter walks or chug bug lures will get you some action with the trout and redfish if they are in the area.

Don't forget the huge schools of redfish. The rising water usually draws slot size schools of reds into the shallow flats to feed. Larger "bull redfish" are often cruising the sand bars and deeper areas just off the flats.

As the sun warms the water, you can easily see the redfish tailing in the shallows and grabbing a bite to eat.

I am eagerly waiting for April's showers .....

Tight lines to you all!