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June, summer, I like it!
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The water level is perfect, the water temperature is where it needs to be and the fishing is right on. The last week has seen tarpon return to the flats and trout are all over mullet schools. Redfish are still a little picky, but within the next two weeks they will form up and I forecast a great beginning to the summer season.
Spoil islands along the ICW are starting to produce large bluefish, trout and the always popular ladyfish. Snubbed by some, the ladyfish is an acrobatic fierce fighter that grows to seven pounds and has impressed purists of catch and release. Called by some “baby tarpon” they are always on the prowl along flats and drop offs ready to surprise the novice with long runs and spectacular leaps. For those who are new to saltwater fishing, this fish will provide more fun than a barrel of monkeys.
While most people want to target a specific species like reds, understand this takes some skill on your part. If you are proficient with a spinning reel, ( not a Zebco), practice casting with at least a 1/16 oz and up to ½ oz lure at a distance of 80 to 100 feet. I use 2500 and 3500 series reels spooled with braid. 10 and 20 lb test respectively. Buy a “ walking “type plug like a Rapala SkitterWalk in both the 08 and 11 sizes and learn to “walk the dog”. This consists of small twitches of the rod tip and reeling intermittently to swing the front of the lure in a zig zag motion. Slack must be kept in the line for the lure to move back and forth. This lure is deadly on all species of salt water fish. If you cannot master “walking”, a SLOW steady retrieve works almost as well. Another killer is the Twitchin Rap 08 size. Again, a SLOW retrieve is necessary . Twitch the lure and then pause, count to five and twitch it again, the strike will come as the lure is paused.
I don’t mean to scare anyone off, but the more you understand the strategy of flats fishing the more your chances of catching your target species becomes. Many guides hook the fish and hand the rod to the client and while I am not opposed to this, I would rather you do it. I also will use cut or live bait, this is as about as boring as it comes unless you have a school located and they are feeding hard. Trust me when I tell you, the strike of a large redfish on a top water plug is worth more than five on cut bait.
I don’t know if I will increase my rates this month or not, I am seeing an increase of customers again and the economy is picking up a little, which is a good sign for us all. My rates are subject to change at any time and if you are planning a trip this summer, I would advise you to book now. Gas prices will continue to increase it looks like and I must adjust accordingly. I can hold my rates in the Melbourne area and the fishing here for all species, if you know where they are, is as good as it gets. So, keep in mind Melbourne and Brevard county when you plan your stay, it is a bit of “Old Florida”, beautiful beaches, great lodging, good food and the laid back life style.
I will be out of town from June the 15th until the 22nd, going to see my grandkids in California, Then back to “paradise.”
Captain Russ
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01 Jun 2009 by Captain Russ Rivers
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April report final, get ready for May!
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Overall April was pretty busy and we caught fish in spite of continued windy conditions. Curt Jacobs and his sons Connor and Brett caught redfish, trout and ladyfish, saw dolphin and generally had a good time. Both of these young men fished hard the whole trip and their casting ability was great. My main target for the month was trout and they were better than average on size.
Large “gator” trout, snook and redfish are continuing to show up in numbers along the entire lagoon system and they are extremely active early in the morning. Mullet and glass minnows are the primary forage at this time with plastic jerk baits like the 5" SW Assassin rigged weed less on a 4/0 or 5/0 offset hook being a perfect imitator. Skitter Walks and Skitter Pops also work well to produce these fish. Tarpon will start showing up at the end of the month in numbers, but the Sebastian River has some juveniles roaming the South fork along with Jacks. Both of these fish are known for hard fights that can outlast some anglers. Redfish are starting to school in the Banana River and this will continue throughout the summer. You will see them In Titusville as well along with black drum and trout, so booking now will guarantee you an opportunity to get in on some of the best fishing action around!
Connor
Brett
Dad
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06 May 2009 by Captain Russ Rivers
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Gators apprear!
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If you want to get in on the big trout action, the next month and a half are prime. Parties have been catching fish to four pounds as they move into spawning areas and we have seen “Gator trout” easily in the eight pound range. Scouting these “gators” and returning the next day to the area will be producing the kind of action you see on TV and in magazines, ready for your pictures? The weather is starting to settle down and the water temperature is darn near perfect. Rapala Twitchin Raps are still my go to bait for now and everything in shallow water is feeding on three to four inch size forage. Early morning is producing the best fishing, just at sunrise. My clients yesterday had four nice trout and one upper slot redfish, before the wind began to howl. It looks like the last front of the season is just ahead and then it will be clear sailing as fishing starts to get better every day. I am booked the rest of this week, but have openings scattered through June. If you are going to be in the area and want a chance at a wall hanger trout, now is the time to book!
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14 Apr 2009 by Captain Russ Rivers
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It's heating up on the Goon!
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Goon, what does that mean? Locals mean the Mosquito lagoon, Indian River or Banana River, which are all really all lagoons . When the Spanish explorers crossed the barrier island that runs about 1/3 the length of the East coast of Florida, they encountered an estuary they though was a river system. This unique eco-system was teaming with hundreds of species of fishes, animals, birds. Exotic plants abounded and it was a sportsmans dream come true. Today it still holds a very diverse system for you to enjoy no matter what type of sport you enjoy. Just about an hour from Orlando you can sight fish for big reds, trophy trout and snook and many, many others while seeing wild life CLOSE up, not in an aquarium! Spring IS here and trips are booking fast, so take a look at last weeks catches and understand yo can be a part of it all too! Kids welcome and they do get excited!
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24 Mar 2009 by Captain Russ Rivers
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It's ON for Redfish!
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Redfish action turned on last week and clients had a blast catching fish. Doubles were common and the schools range in size from 100 to 300 fish.
Water temps are in the low 70's and baitfish are starting to move more each day, you might want to book a trip ASAP to take advantage of this first wave of action. Look for "gator trout" to start blowing up top water lures like the Rapala Skitter Walk and the new DT Fat 01. Twitchin Raps in olive back color also fool these wary preditors. Winter is gone the grass has riz don't wonder where the fishes iz, call and get your share!
Capt Russ
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16 Mar 2009 by Captain Russ Rivers
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Cold weather starts to fade, fishing improves
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Fishing over the last month has been great when the weather has co- operated. Large numbers of redfish and black drum have been the target in Mosquito Lagoon and the area around Sebastian Inlet has been very productive as well. Cobia will start showning up anytime off Cape Canaveral and these tackle busters are the sign spring is just around the corner. Weakfish and king mackeral catches have been good offshore as well. Grouper, snapper and tuna are available when weather permits. With the economy as it is I have reduced my inshore rates to an all time low and if you are going to be in the area I am trying to do my part to give you the opportuinity to enjoy some of the best fishing in the US at a price you can live with. Trust me when I tell you, it won't last forever and booking now will save you a bunch on your next trip down. Weather forecast for the next couple of weeks is typical Florida, NICE! |
10 Feb 2009 by Captain Russ Rivers
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Lamiglas Indian River Series Rods now available
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Every guide and Captain who has a rod sponsor will tell you their rods are the best you can fish with and that’s only natural. But when a rod company with the reputation of Lamiglas works with you to develop a new and entirely different series of rods, that’s a one in a million shot! Captain Jim Ross and I fish some of the skinniest water in the world and you need a rod that will cast a lure a mile and have the backbone to quickly bring fish to the boat without stress in summer. In addition, you want the most sensitivity possible to feel the lightest strike, a tall order for sure. Lamiglas came up with Texalium and our dreams came true, a unique rod was developed with 21st century technology that looks and feels like no other rod you have ever seen or used. Jim burned a lot of midnight oil perfecting the action and power of what now is the Indian River series rods. While developed mainly for flats, backcountry and inshore fishing, it has the ability to become one of the best smallmouth and walleye rods ever designed, a true crossover that lets the discriminating angler have the best of both worlds. We can tell you with confidence from over a year of field testing and using these incredible rods with our clients, they are some of the most functional light tackle rods you will ever use and they are beautiful as well! The main difference is the use of Texalium in place of cork on the handle and in the butt section of the rod, along with Fuji Alconite Concept stainless guides these rods are about low maintenance as well. If you shop online do a search for Lamiglas Indian River series rods, you’ll be glad you did. If you prefer to shop locally ask your dealer about Lamiglas. Or just click on the logo next to the reports and go directly to Lamiglas.com. Close to 60 years of rod building knowledge, still handcrafted in the USA. |
01 Jan 2009 by Captain Russ Rivers
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