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Cooler days bring hot fishing!
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Byron and Judy Brengman from Anderson, MO. had hoped to escape from the cold with a trip to sunny Florida. As Mother Nature would have it the temperature dropped from record breaking eighties to the upper thirties just when they got here. The wind picked up, the River got choppy, but they stayed the course and we delayed the trip for two days hoping the sun would appear and fish would jump in the boat! I met them at the ramp on a chilly Tuesday with a North wind 10 to 15 knots. Not good you say?
I have places to duck behind that protects not only my clients, but the bait and predators as well. The bait (Glass Minnows) danced on the surface and panicked as the trout and large ladyfish charged through them gorging on these high protein delicacies. It was on my friends! Doubles were common and before it was over we lost count of the spotted sea trout. Many were over two pounds and the average fish was in the pound and a half class. It was nonstop for six hours! A 1/16 oz. Saltwater Assassin jig with a Blurp Golden Bream 4” Sea Shad www.bassassassin.com was the preferred lure with many fish striking as the lure lay motionless on the bottom. The Sharkfin 2000 reel http://www.bluepredatorz.com/cgi-bin/Display_Items_Gal.asp?Cat=203&Sub=874 along with the new Lamiglas Excel 702 rod http://www.lamiglas.com/prod_indiv.php?groupid=65 worked like a charm. Don’t let the fact it was designed as a Bass rod fool you, it, like other Lamiglas rods make the transition to salt water with ease.
Sea trout action is great during the cooler month on the Indian River lagoon and the best part; you’re only a short drive from Orlando and the attractions. So, if you want to get away from the lines and see some of Central Florida’s best inshore fishing, give me a call. It never stays cold for long and the fishing is always hot!
Captain Russ Rivers
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23 Dec 2009 by Captain Russ Rivers
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Happy Thanksgiving, Let's Fish
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This week has started off pretty good even though the weather has been iffy at best. Jay Hillman called me a few weeks ago and set up two days while he and his family were in Cocoa on vacation. Jay is a regular from upstate New York and is a great angler along with his son Colton who is growing up fast.
I was surprised that Colton was not with Jay the first day, but he was tired out from hunting opening day in NY so Jay and I hit it alone. We fished hard and boated three reds in the morning all slots in the four pound plus range. The Salt Water Assassin Sea shad four inch in Cajun Croaker was just what the doctor ordered and they got slammed by the fish that were feeding on small finger mullet. Jay is catch and release and so we put them all back to grow up some more. Our gear consisted of Lamiglas IRFA series 702 and the new Excel series 703. I was introduced to a new spinning reel the Sharkfin by Castalia Outdoors based in Frostproof Fl a few weeks back and I must say they have a winner both in the 2000 and 4000 series. They also are introducing to the American market a new line, Liquid Braid. Put the two together and you get a reel that REALLY casts a mile with ease. I have fished all types of spinners in my 50 plus years of fishing and I have no worries about this one, high quality and a price that won’t break your back, be on the lookout for them, you’ll be glad you did. www.CastiliaOutdoors.com
Jay grinned when he cast it and the quote was” Unbelievable”.
The second day old Colton showed up and we headed out to see if he could still fish and he sure could. We caught reds, trout and wore the ladyfish out. We caught so many we lost count. Colton would eat a little, snooze a little and fish a lot. It was two great days with two great guys and the only thing left in this report is to say, “Come on Down” and get in on in yourself!
At $275 for two anglers for six hours, you won’t find a better deal or have more fun!
Just ask Jay and Colton!
Captain Russ
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26 Nov 2009 by Captain Russ Rivers
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Mullet Run Is Here!
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The mullet run is in full swing, acres of the 4” to 5” fingers are making their way south. The migration is a sight to see, but the fishing that goes along with it only happens twice a year on the IRFL.
If you really want to have some fun, now is the time to catch a trophy sized trout or redfish. Snook are in the mix as well, exploding mullet in every direction. My favorite hard bait is the Rapala Twitchin Rap in GFL, SFL, CFL or OF. http://www.rapala.com/products/luresdetail.cfm?modelName=twitchin_rap&freshorsalt=Both.
This lure is deadly is one to two feet of water right now. I fish it with Sufix Performance Fuse 10 # test and a 24” to 36” Sufix Fluorocarbon 15# leader. http://www.sufix.com/usa/fishing_line/performance_fuse/
http://www.sufix.com/usa/fishing_line/100_fluorocarbon_invisiline/
Set up on a Lamiglas IRFA 703 C Rod http://www.lamiglas.com/prod_indiv.php?groupid=64
And a Daiwa Zillon 100 HAS Coastal reel. http://www.daiwa.com/Reel/detail.aspx?ID=498
You must be able to cast 80’ to 120’ in order to catch big trout, they are as about as spooky as Norman Bates and you don’t get but one shot. I scout areas before I fish them to locate the large fish and then come back at low light. Early, early is the key. There are 6+ trout and redfish in the area right now and snook much larger.
If the fish are in a finicky mood, nothing works better than a 4” Assassin Sea Shad in Opening Night or Cajun Croaker. http://www.bassassassin.com/c/-4-inch-Sea-Shads/bass-fishing-lures/CAT-0F1986/
Rigged on either an Xpoint 5/0 X25Z XGAP STYLE, XSTRONG, BLACK NICKEL
http://ttiblakemore.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=295
Or a Daiichi D46Z FATGAP™ WORM/TUBE HOOK, BLEEDING BAIT RED
HTTP://TTIBLAKEMORE.COM/SHOP/INDEX.PHP?MAIN_PAGE=PRODUCT_INFO&CPATH=1_41&PRODUCTS_ID=237
This combo lands light and can be fished right up to the shore line.
That’s the technical part. If you can’t use a bait caster, I have the spinning rigs too.
The most important thing is how you fish, slow is fast to me. You just want to keep the lures in motion. If you pay attention to the mullet, most of them are just milling around, not running wide open. All the fish have to do is wait until one comes by that is erratic or different, BANG!
The holidays are just around the corner and it is nice and warm here in central Florida, so why don’t you make a reservation and see if you can get your arm broke! Notice the mullet school behind me in the picture with the trout and the Rap down its.
Capt Russ
Photos by Chris Chaffin- Chaffin Communications |
28 Oct 2009 by Captain Russ Rivers
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Fishing heats up as Fall Mullet Run Approaches
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As fall approaches and the temperature starts to drop, fishing the Space Coast heats up. The mullet run will soon be upon us and every predator will be putting on the feed bag to fatten up for lean times ahead. Not saying the fishing isn’t good year round, just from September through the middle of November can be magic for reds and trout. Tarpon and snook will be in the mix too, along with jacks, blues, black drum and flounder. In other words if you are looking for some great fishing with cooler days booking now would be a wise choice. The large redfish will spawn from mid September thru the end of October in the North end of the Indian River. This is not an easy fishery, but the reward is a trophy sized redfish. The “Herd” as it is called can consist of hundreds of fish raging in size from twenty-five to thirty-five pounds and they are all you want on light tackle. Nothing will get your attention better than seeing one of these bruisers crushing a top water plug while five more try to take it away from him. It is a rare sight and opportunity for those who are fortunate to witness it. Weather is a key factor and light winds make it a lot easier to find the schools, so I would recommend you book two days if you are really serious about getting on the big fish. You are always close to some great spotted sea trout action if the reds don’t cooperate. If a mixed bag is more to your liking, the area around Sebastian Inlet could get you all of the above, so no matter what the weather you always will find a great trip in the lagoon system. Tarpon hang along the ICW, are still in the Sebastian River and black tip and bull sharks are ready to test your endurance as well. The fall mullet run makes all this a true fire fight for those who take advantage of it, so come on down and get you some!
Captain Russ Rivers  |
15 Sep 2009 by Captain Russ Rivers
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It's On!
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July has been a great month for my clients and the fish are moving into their summer patterns. Redfish schools are forming up in the Banana River and they are biting early on. Snook and tarpon are showing up in numbers on the flats along with bluefish, jacks and ladyfish. From now until November fishing is at its best in East Central Florida and I am booking trips daily into January, so don’t miss out on some great fishing. I could write a long report, but the fact is, it’s on and I don’t have time to sit here and write. Look at my photo gallery and you’ll get the picture. If you can fish, YOU Will Catch Fish just like the folks below from last week. Amateur or advanced, you’ll get your rod bent for sure!
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31 Jul 2009 by Captain Russ Rivers
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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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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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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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