Over the past two weeks, we have seen some of the coldest temperatures along central east coast of Florida in years. It has sent shivers down our thin-blooded spines and panic into the lives of our semi-tropical finned friends. However, no matter how cold the temps outside, the outstanding fishing action has warmed the souls of our stout-hearted clients as the following tales testify.
Capt. Peter guided Mike Rinkus, along with his son Michael and friend Alex, on a cold but sunny day where the winds allowed some winter flats fishing near Titusville. And even though low temperatures had thinned the food chain on the flats and scattered the schools of foraging fish, our guest anglers from Colorado caught two of the most unforgettable, heart-thumping and adrenaline-pumping, bull reds in recent memory. Pictured below is Alex with a redfish weighing around 25 pounds followed by Michael with a monster that pushed the scales close to 40 pounds.
In our next report, it was Captain Peter again, with some assistance from the ‘old man’ of Native Sons, guiding John, Joe and Krista Jachino from Illinois. The wind was a’howling and Jack Frost was a’nipping so we fled for sanctuary in the Honest John canals near Sebastian Inlet. The fishing action was some of the hottest we’ve experienced in a long time. The final fish count, conservatively guestimating, was around 70 including a least 20 runt reds, 25 sheephead, 20 mangrove snappers, 5 black drum and a couple of mutton snappers. Pictured below are Krista and a black drum, Joe and Krista with a pair of sheephead, Peter and John with a mangrove snapper and Krista with a rare mutton snapper caught in the river.
A very special angler, Chaz Farley from Melbourne, is the star of our next report. Chaz, along with his uncle Dr. Cronin, and cousin Charlie chartered Capt. Roland for a day of fishing on the Indian River in the Grant/Sebastian area. Chaz had the hot rod catching a super slam of 24 fish which included redfish, drum, trout, sheephead, and snapper. After his sixth fish of the morning, he excitedly exclaimed, “I’ve got my A game today”. What a blast it was to see him enjoying life with few of the stresses we all know so well. Pictured below is Chaz with one of his redfish.
Captain Roland also had the pleasure of hosting the Rinkus family for yet another day of fishing last week. This time they headed for the Honest John canals as the stiff winter winds limited access to the flats. Again, they caught so many fish it was hard to keep an accurate tally. their super slam included sheephead, drum, trout, snapper and redfish. By the way, they really enjoyed seeing the natural beauty of the historic canals much as everyone else we take there. Their comment was common, “We never knew this place was here. It is amazing.” Pictured below are Jacob Rinkus and a rare spotless redfish.
Our final report is odd in that it is about hunting and not fishing. We have been working hard to organize an outfitting and hunting arm of Native Sons. Incidentally, we will have much to report of this new enterprise in the coming weeks. Picture below is one of our year-round quarries, a wild boar weighing around 150 pounds. It was shot by Perry Coleman of Melbourne on a hunt guided by Captain Roland.
In summary, there are plenty of options for great outdoor experiences along the central east coast of Florida even when Old Man Winter pays us a visit.
Capt. Roland will be one of the featured participants at Beast Feast, an all-day hunting and fishing extravaganza hosted by Sarasota Baptist Church on February 21st. In addition to sharing fishing stories, tips, and tins of Wintergreen, Roland will man a booth full of Native Sons Fishing pictures, videos, maps and memorabilia. So stop by and chew the fat or spat the chew – either way, Capt. ‘Grizz’ will be there for you!
Ping the following link for more information: The Beast Feast
The spring Cobia run along the Florida beaches is a highlighted event that Florida anglers dream about for 10 months out of the year. This “run” is temperature dependent, and usually takes place from the end of February to April. What makes this type of fishing so special is that these big fish stay close to the shore, and swim near the surface – which offers exceptional sight-fishing opportunities. As they move along the Space Coast, migrating back north from their wintering grounds, these fish have exceptional appetites and readily take baits, jigs, and flies. Cobia commonly range from 20 – 60 pounds, and are a blast on light tackle!
Cobia fishing is more like hunting than fishing, as you stalk them by peering out into the clear, calm water looking for large “brown torpedoes” slowly skimming under the surface. Once spotted, you’ll move into range and make a cast to the fish. Another bonus to fishing for Cobia is the amount of large wildlife you’ll see, as the cobia swim with giant Manta Rays and large Sea Turtles.
This fishing is seasonal, and opportunities are limited by weather conditions – calm seas and sunlight are a must for targeting these great fish. These fish move through in waves at most anytime so Cobia anglers have to be ready to go on short notice (as short as a day or two).
If you are from out-of-town and booking a charter during this time frame, let us know you might also be interested in chasing the Cobes. If you are local and interested in booking a Cobia charter, give us shout. We’ll make note and give you a call when a wave is passing through.
The Christmas season is such a special time of year, truly a season of joy and peace. This year, our home was filled with children and grandchildren – all wanting to spend some quality time on the river with ole St. Nick (aka Capt. Rocky). We were also blessed with a number of folks of good cheer who booked charters to experience the joy catching redfish while sugar plums danced in their heads … uh, perhaps too much hyperbole here, no doubt the lingering effects of figgy pudding, fruitcakes and eggnog … so on with the reports!
Our first report features a few old friends from Wichita, Kansas – Lee and Angie Harp along her brother Mario. Capt. Peter and I combined on the Banana River charter to chase a few redfish and trout. The fish were in a festive mood along with the manatees, dolphins and all manner of waterfowl including massive flocks of ducks and coots, pelicans – brown and white – blue and grey herons, stork, egrets, ibis, artic terns and gulls. We caught seven reds to 22 pounds, three trout to 24 inches, and several birds on which we shall not elaborate. Pictured below are the three from the Sunflower State each holding a redfish from the Sunshine State.
Another group of old friends, the Rinkus family from Colorado, are the stars of next report. This family, Mike the father along with sons Michael and Jacob and daughter Mariah, were guided on the Banana River by Capt. Peter and Capt. Roland. This was another picture post-card day weather-wise but the fish were very spooky. Many times the party drew near the schools only to have them move away. However, persistence and patience finally paid off as the following picture demonstrates.
Yet another pair of old friends are the prime suspects of our third caper, Adrian Anderson and Kenny Vitek from Orlando. These two college buddies of Capt. Peter accompanied him on a scouting expedition on the Banana River between Merritt Island and Cocoa Beach. The purpose of the trip was to get Adrian, president of the Fishing Club at Rollins College, on some redfish, and also to monitor and observe some schools of redfish and trout for the week’s upcoming trips.
The weather was absolutely gorgeous – clear water, blue skies, and calm winds. The trio fished for only a short while, as observing the wildlife and swimming fish took up the majority of the morning. They did catch a couple of redfish and trout, as the temptation to hook a couple of the fish swimming around can, and almost always does, get the best of you. Pictured below are Kenny holding a huge trout and both Kenny and Adrian holding redfish.
New friends from Palm Bay, Florida are featured in our next report. Parents John and Marjorie recently took their three daughters Amanda, Sarah and Rebecca out fishing with Capt. Roland. Since it was a very windy winter day, the crew opted to seek safe shelter in the Honest John Canals. The three daughters had never caught any fish before so they were very excited and followed instructions well. The result was a ‘canal grand slam’ consisting of black drum, sheephead, snapper, redfish, and trout. Pictured below are eldest daughter Amanda with a sheephead followed by Sarah with a drum and Rebecca with a sheephead.
Breezy conditions also made a significant impact on our charter with the Esseesses from Rockledge, Florida. Guided by Capt. Peter, this father and son duo rocked and rolled their way down the Banana River under bright sunny skies with cold blustery winds. Even with the winds and crowded waters they were able to fight a couple of fish including this nice redfish pictured below.
Speaking of wind, our next report involves a quartet from the Windy City, Chicago, Illinois. Capt. Peter was the guide for this charter and he submitted the following account of the trip:
With the ever changing conditions of late December and early /January you cannot help but fish through some unfavorable conditions. . . and this trip was one of them. A cold front had come in a day before, and brought in very windy and cold weather. The fish were less than cooperative, as the temperatures had lowered their body temps and thus their appetite. I was, however, fortunate enough to have a good group of determined anglers in the boat and we made lemonade out of lemons!
We started the morning off by putting the hurt on a large school of trout (up to 21 inches) which had grouped up in a drop off on the edge of a flat – trying to stay warm. For the trout, we “free-lined live jumbo live shrimp” into the deeper “drop-off”. After 15 or so trout, we decided to put some time into the trout’s bronze colored cousins, the redfish. The effort paid off, as some cooperative fish were found within a large school of mullet- including this beautiful 7lb bronzed brute held by Alvida.
Our final report features Steve and Chase Ryland from Melbourne, Florida. Capt. Roland guided the pair on another windy day. Once again, the shelter of the Honest John Canals was a welcomed relief. The pair had a blast catching snook, sheephead and snapper. Pictured below is Chase with a rare winter-time snook.
In conclusion, we’d like say Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
December is the month where autumn gives way to winter in central Florida. With the arrival of a series of cold fronts we are compelled to shift fishing locations and tactics in order to be successful. Sometimes it is as simple as shifting from the shallow shoreline to the three to four foot grass flats and potholes fifty yards away. Other times we are forced to flee into the canals and creeks to avoid the strong winds accompanying the fronts. This month is not as hot fishing-wise as others but it still produces solid results as the following reports will reveal.
Recently 80 year old Reuben Johnson from Tennessee and his son Greg from Ohio fished two days with Capt. Roland in the Sebastian Inlet area. On the first day the duo caught 15 trout, bunches of jacks and ladyfish in beautiful weather. The weather turned on the second with 20 mph northerly winds. Shifting location to a protected area near in the Inlet and the Johnsons managed to get some small fish for most of the day. However, right before they had to leave for their plane ride home the water had warmed and the tide changed and two nice reds, one flounder and a nice black drum were boated. Pictured below is Greg Johnson with one their trout.
Capt. Roland was also the Native Sons guide for Don Jones and Henry King from Colorado. On the first day of their two day charter they fished in Titusville chasing reds on the flats in cool windy conditions. Since this was their first trip to Florida they really didn’t know what to expect but the reds didn’t let them down. Henry hooked up early with numerous slot fish, but Don stole the show late with this 30 lb. monster. The second day started with winds 15-25 mph so they headed south to fish some protected canals and islands. Although the fish were not as large as day one there were numerous fish hooked including and landed snook, trout, redfish, ladyfish, and bluefish all on artificials. Pictured below is Don with his monster from day one.
Another charter guided by Capt. Roland in late November was a half-day trip involving Steve Steinhatch from Kansas. Again the winds didn’t allow the party to venture far from the mangrove canals near Sebastian Inlet. However, it didn’t stop Steve from catching fish including big sheephead and black drum both which have started to move into the canals for their annual spawn. These fish love to get up into sub-surface structure putting added difficulty to the fights. Steve caught lots of both and also had a giant grouper showed up for a surprise.
In late November, my good friend Craig Konicek and his son-in-law, John Parker, went on a trip to the Sebastian/Grant area. The charter started slow but ended with an incredible bang when the water finally warmed and the tide finally turned. In the last hour, the two from Ocala caught six trout to eight pounds and six bluefish to five pounds. Pictured below are John and me with one of the ‘gator’ trout.
Hoping to get a break from the 10 degree Minnesota weather, Kyle White and his dad Jeff, along with little brother Mitch and buddy Bart chartered two days over the Thanksgiving weekend with Capt. Roland. The weather definitely didn’t disappoint them and neither did the fish. On Friday, under 75 degree sunny conditions, they caught fish after fish in the Sebastian Inlet area including grouper, mango snapper, bluefish, black drum, sheephead, trout, and mutton snapper. However the best was yet to come. On Saturday under warmer but windier conditions, the group moved to the Titusville area to look for redfish. They did not have to wait long before finding them. The quartet landed seven reds from 22 to 40 inches including an exciting double hook-up. Mitch is pictured with the biggest one after which he exclaimed, “This is the biggest fish I’ve ever caught.”
What better gift can an avid angler receive at Christmas than a gift certificate for a half-day or full-day guide trip with some of the areas best guides on the pristine waters of the Indian River Lagoon system? Gift certificates purchased from now until December 31st will include a holiday special price reduction of 10% and can be redeemed at any time over the holidays and through the end of 2009.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Native Sons Fishing Guides!
The fall mullet run continues through the Indian River Lagoon system from Titusville to Ft. Pierce and out Sebastian Inlet into the Atlantic. The resulting feeding is causing fantastic fishing action as the following reports bear witness.
Captain Peter and I had the great pleasure of guiding Randy Higginbotham, his wife, and his brother Dennis for a full day of fishing in and around the mouth of Sebastian Inlet. It was impossible to keep an accurate count of all the fish caught during the day as the action was nearly continuous among the migrating mullet. Our slam included snook, redfish, trout, ladyfish the size of baseball bats, bluefish and huge jacks. Pictured below are Randy and one of the snook, the whole Higginbotham Clan with a pair of jacks which were a pair of triple hook-up, and Dennis holding a large ladyfish.
Our next report involves Dan Reukauf and his two buddies chartering with Capt. Peter in the Titusville area in early November. The threesome had a blast sight-fishing the shallow potholes and around the structure with live finger mullet. The final fish count was nine redfish to 20 pounds along with two gator trout. Photos from the trip are provided below.
In mid-November, Christian Oyler, home on leave from the US Navy, and I fished the shallow grass flats of the Indian River Lagoon near Titusville. Sight-fishing the grass flats and sandy potholes using artificial lures, we caught several really nice redfish while spotting well over a hundred fish. The day had picture perfect weather – calm winds and bright ‘blue-bird’ skies.
Also chartering with me in mid-November was Nathan Chapman, an associate pastor at First Baptist Church of Merritt Island, and his father Jimmy Chapman from Mississippi. We fished the IRL near Titusville for a half day trip and caught five redfish and three trout. The largest redfish was a fat 33 incher weighing approximately 13 pounds. By the way, Jimmy Chapman fishes the pro bass trail. Pictured below are Nathan about to land a redfish and his father holding another.
Our final report features a father and daughter duo, Mike and his daughter Olivia (from Wisconsin) who joined Capt. Peter for a beautiful half day of winter fishing down in the Sebastian Inlet area. They were on vacation for the week in Orlando, and decided to spend some quality father/daughter time and get away from the busy theme parks (Disney). These two skilled anglers fished the mangrove lined creeks and flats edges with non-stop action – they caught over 50 fish consisting of Pompano, Mutton Snapper, Mangrove Snapper, Jack Crevalle, and Sheepshead. Pictured: Two of Olivia’s many fish – a big pompano and a giant sheepshead. The fat pompano put up a great fight, but was no match for Miss Olivia’s great fishing skills.
Imagine catching Tarpon, Snook, and Redfish in one afternoon and all trophies… During the fall season, Sebastian Inlet becomes one of the hottest fishing sites in the state! This “non-advertised” inlet fills with mullet and pinfish from mid October through November where schools of giant Redfish, Snook, and Tarpon mix together in frenzy while feeding on the plentiful baitfish.
This fishing is very hands on. Big spinning rods and big baits are used while “drifting” with the current (dictated by the tide) through the inlet – similar to techniques used in Boca Grande but without the chaotic boat traffic. Tarpon to 150 pounds, Redfish to 40 pounds, and 20 pound Snook are regularly caught during the trips.
Fishing will usually start in the afternoon and last until the evening after the sun has set – the optimum feeding time of these fish. All live baits and tackle will be ready and in the boat waiting for you, all you’ll need to bring is your camera. This is a beautiful time of year, area, and time of day to be fishing (and fishing for trophy fish nonetheless), this is a must do for all fisherpersons as it is simply amazing!
Fishing action along the central east coast of Florida has exploded as the fall mullet run is underway. Each year millions and millions of mullet migrate south and invade our shorelines, rivers and lagoons. This triggers a massive feeding frenzy among our predatory species and produces the very best fishing of the year. Check out the following fishing reports from the beginning from this month-long phenomena.
Fishing this past weekend in the Hunt for Reds in October Tournament, Christa Deeks scored a phenomenal Banana River slam near Cocoa Beach. Guided by her brother, Capt Peter, and assisted by friend and neighbor Dante Bustamante, Christa caught numerous redfish, gator trout and tarpon. Check out the smiles on the faces of Christa and Peter with a tarpon and Christa and Dante with a gator trout.
Mike and Michael Rinkus, a father and son duo from Colorado, along with Uncle Dave from Minnesota, had a blast with Capt. Roland near the mouth of Sebastian Inlet. Fishing in the midst of the migrating mullet, the three visiting anglers caught double digit redfish, trout, jack, snook and bluefish. Check out the size of these trout in the following pictures:
Californian Shawn Rae and his two buddies Joe and Pete have been traveling to Sebastian Inlet every year since 1982 to take part in the phenomenal fishing associated with the fall mullet run. This year the action was so frenzied on their half-day charter with Capt. Roland that there was not time to snap pictures until they approached the cleaning table. By the way, near continuous action is typical of the ‘mullet run.’
As the mullet run progresses, large breeder fish will begin to ‘stack’ in the inlet. These huge redfish, snook, tarpon and sharks wait in the throat of the Inlet for the mullet to run. The best way to describe the ensuing action is a feeding binge. Brothers Walt and Joe Cobb, along with buddy Jay, got a foretaste of this big fish scene during their charter with Capt. Roland last week. Among the many redfish they battled was this ‘breeder’ being held by Joe. It was caught in the Inlet.
For more information on charters targeting Sebastian Inlet during the fall mullet run, check out the page of our website What’s New
Living along the seashore in Florida offers some interesting challenges in terms of hosting unexpected guests from time to time. For instance, Tropical Storm Faye dropped in for a visit to the Space Coast. Unfortunately for our community, she overstayed her welcome by refusing to leave for a whole week while dumping some 30 inches of rain in the process. And to make matters worse, she invited her friends Gustav, Hanna and Ike to pass through the area after she left. Needless to say, our rivers and lagoons are flooded to historic levels and our fish are currently foraging over formerly dry land – interesting challenges indeed. Nevertheless, we have a number of successful charters to report.
Our first report features James Phillip and his father-in-law Dexter Clyde. Fishing the high water and out-flowing creeks of the Indian River near Titusville, Capt. Rocky guided the pair from South Carolina to near non-stop action on their half-day charter. Included among the catch were eleven redfish anchored by the 20 pound monster held by James in the following picture:
Capt. Peter was the guide in our next report as he entertained Orlando residents Dip, Gewen, Sabita, Sias and Sewsankar with fantastic fishing action aboard his 22 foot Pathfinder. The Indian River in Titusville was the location for this half-day charter. Among the dozen redfish and trout were the following held by Dip and Sabita and Gewan:
The third report features our good friends Gary and Scott Martin from Satellite Beach. These two opted to use their own boat and were guided by both Peter and Rocky. Returning to Titusville again we caught several outstanding fish before an afternoon thundershower drove us out of the water early. Pictured below is Scott followed by his dad – both are holding redfish.
The fifth report stars Kelly Reed, Calvin Ripley and Mike Moody. These three Orlando residents chartered Capt. Roland for a half-day of fishing near Sebastian Inlet. Unfortunately the water was abnormally dirty from all the rain but the trio did manage to catch three reds, two ladyfish and a snook. (Pictured below are Calvin and Kelly, each holding a redfish.)
Our final report is an oddity as it features Capt. Peter in his other passionate pursuit – hunting. Early September is alligator hunting season in central Florida and there is not a better venue for hunting these oversized aquatic lizards than the St. Johns River, just east of Orlando. Pictured below is Peter with one of his four trophies from this year. By the way, all were taken with a bow.
