The monthly calendar has flipped and so has the fishing. We’ve gone from the madness of March winds to the wetness of April showers. Enough of the Tom Foolery, the logbook is bursting with reports and pictures, let’s get down to it.
After a few days off in the Florida Keys, Capt. Rocky returned the middle of last week to guide Scott and Jesse from Orlando for a much anticipated fishing charter. Originally receiving their half day trip as a Christmas gift from a very dear friend, these two waited until spring break to assault the Titusville flats in search of monster redfish. Six brutes were fought and caught with an equal number battled and lost. Check out the spots on these fish and smiles on these faces.
Kirk and Ron, another pair of eager anglers, chartered Capt. Roland last Saturday after an all-night alligator hunt. They had a decent day of fishing the Melbourne Beach area of the Indian River catching redfish, trout and snook. Even though it appears in the following picture that Kirk is about to keel over from exhaustion while posing with one of his reds, we are happy to report he hung tough through the entire trip and has some great tales (and tails) as a result. After all, it was a most unusual Orlando vacation for these two extreme outdoorsmen.
A pair of Yankees from Connecticut, Ron and Tim, are the next fishermen found in the logbook. Capt. Roland was their guide and the Banana River near Cocoa Beach was their adventure. And it turned out to be one of the better recent charters as the two caught 12 reds and 2 large trout. (Ron and one of his reds are pictured first while Tim and one of his trophies follow).
Another pair from the Yankee State, Ernie and Bill, were our next visiting anglers. These two had both Capt. Rocky and Capt. Roland as their guides on their Titusville fishing charter. It was one of those post-cold front, high pressure system kind of locked-jaw days that needed the collective fishing wisdom of two guides to produce fish. Covering nearly twenty miles of shallow water, we had a grand time with alligators, manatees, and dolphins while managing to find a few fish willing to cooperate. Pictured below is Bill with one of the three large trout caught on the day.
Our final report features the ‘Geerlings Gang’ from Michigan – family patriarch Mike, along with four sons, Doug, Dan, Brian, and Phil and son-in-law Mike. Even though the Geerlings Gang sounds like a group of gangsters, these were actually great guys and good anglers. Fishing the Banana River near Cocoa Beach again, this double boat/captain, half day charter caught six reds, four trout and an early-season snook. Pictured below are Doug, Dan, Brian and Phil respectively – incidentally, the first redfish photographed had 59 spots.
“These are the times that try men’s souls …” Now Thomas Paine’s famous quote originally had little to do with fishing, but it could not have been more applicable to fishing guides in the greater Orlando area than during the last two weeks. Horrendous north winds, unseasonably cold temperatures, historic low water levels and funky fish combined to make this stretch in our calendar a real challenge. Blessedly, however, there were just enough good charters sprinkled between the successive cold fronts to keep us from running off and joining the French foreign legion.
Casey Haire from Orlando, his neighbor and Rusty his grandfather, joined Capt. Rocky for a Titusville redfish hunt several days ago and observed first hand the difficulties of trying to fish in water too shallow to float a flats boat. We finally found enough water to keep our ankles wet and several willing combatants such as the one pictured below, but it was certainly trying.
The following Wednesday, Shawn, also from Orlando, along with his two sons Samuel and Seth, his boss JR Lundy from Dallas and his two sons, fished with Capt. Rocky and Capt. Roland in the Grant area on a double charter. This was a day when even the frogs and ducks would not have ventured forth. The crew caught several large trout, black drum, sheephead and mango snapper while hiding in the relative protection of Honest John’s Canals. Pictured below are Samuel and Seth hold one of their black drum.
The weekend brought Andy Kane and his two twin children, Ben and Mattie to the Cocoa Beach area. The Saturday portion of the two day charter gave us a brief respite from the brutal spring conditions and the fish responded with a certain degree of savagery. The final count for the day included six redfish to 48 inches (see below) and eight gator trout, the largest being 30 inches.
Two days of unseasonable cold weather descended upon the area and the water temperatures dropped 12 degrees in less than 48 hours. This caused the fish to scramble into survival mode and guides to ponder the providential vicissitudes of life. Unfortunately for Todd Reader and his wife, who had been looking forward to fishing the Indian River Lagoon for nearly a year, their charter was as trying upon the soul of Capt. Rocky as any in recent memory. Pictured below is Todd holding the best fish on the most trying day.
Fishing the same day but 40 miles to the south were three generations of the Reese men from Tennessee. Guided by Captain Roland, this crew battled through the high pressure system and slow tidal movements in Grant but wound up catching a slam of redfish, trout and sheephead. Pictured below are Justin Reese and a fine spotted sea trout.
Finally, yesterday the weather began to show signs of returning to normal late spring conditions. Jeff Tomski and his son Jackson, got to see hundreds of redfish schooling and large trout holding in the sandy potholes of the Banana River. And even though the fish were not yet in a feeding frenzy state of mind, several were coaxed into attacking our baits, including the two pictured below.
It happens along the east central Florida shoreline for a few weeks in early spring and again, albeit to a lesser degree, in late fall. It is the cobia migration. And this much anticipated event triggers cobia mania which is a highly contagious condition common among many of the serious greater Orlando anglers.
Now cobia typically range in the size from five pounds pups to seventy pound slobs. They can be found swimming with the large manta rays also migrating at the same time (see below), holding to floating structure such as buoys and various ocean debris or free swimming on the surface. They seem to be incurably curious and will hit a wide variety of jigs and lures. They are often sight-fished and best of all, perhaps, they are absolutely fabulous as table fare.
Last Friday under perfect conditions consisting of bright blue skies and calm seas, Capt. Rocky of Native Sons Fishing Charters joined Capt. Nate Fowler and Capt. Alex of Laguna Charters to hunt for cobias as a prelude to the filming of a future episode of the East Coast Fishing TV show. This was one of those days when we wished that our dress rehearsal was the actual performance because within the first hour we had caught a limit of three cobes ranging in weight from 60 pounds to 25 pounds (we believe the 60 pounder is the largest cobia weighed at the Port thus far this season) and ended the day catching three more on light tackle and top water plugs. Enjoy the following pictures from the day.
In conclusion, we would love for many of our charter clients to enjoy such a day. It takes a rare combination of the right weather and sea conditions in the midst of a short three week migratory window in the early spring and late fall. It has been our observation that those few who are fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time will be forever infected with cobia mania.
Some wise wag once wrote that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. Obviously, after just one week, it is too early to give absolute credence to that ancient soothsayer, however, over the past week, we had roar through the greater Orlando area tornados, gale force winds, driving rain and even hail. As a result, we were graced with only two fishable days – Wednesday and Thursday – and these days were as different as different could be.
Now Wednesday, the fine weather not withstanding, was as funky a day on the Indian River Lagoon as we’ve had in sometime. Capt. Roland, guiding a party from Texas out of Melbourne Beach, had his clients all over fish, and good fish too. This hard-luck charter threw everything but the bilge pump at big numbers of giant snook, gator trout and, what had been, heretofore, gregarious redfish. Nothing worked. These fish had gone into a strict fast and simply refused every temptation. What frustration!
Also fishing on Wednesday, Capt. Rocky, guiding out of Titusville, had the pleasure of hosting Jack and Eilene Kling from Delaware. Again, fish, fish, everywhere, but bites were few and far between. Fishing on this day was proving to be tougher than a two dollar steak from IHOP!
Finally, after frustratingly flinging live finger mullet at a vast school of tailing redfish for what seemed like forever, one lone brute broke with the fast and saved the day from utter futility. (Pictured below are the Klings with the lone Wednesday triumph.) Thank goodness for second chances because Thursday would be so, so different.
Fishing essentially the same three spots as the day before, Capt. Rocky, Jack Kling and Ed, a fellow Delawarean, found the fish in a much different frame of mind. The first location, where redfish tails where wagging so impressively the day before, appeared deserted on Thursday. The party quickly moved to their second spot. This time, opting to anchor at a distance, the trio waded back to the fish in the calm, clear water and lobbed baits from afar. Bingo! Huge gator trout gleefully greeted them in a most hospitable fashion. Some of these monster trout were in the 32-35 inch range. (None of the trout were handled to avoid over-stressing these actively spanning fish – no pictures were taken). This was fun but it would be the third and final spot where the real fireworks would occur on this day.
The third location was also a repeat from the prior day but, again, the outcome was so different this time around. Instead of giving a blow by blow account, we simply offer the following photos are prima fascia evidence of the truth of another old adage, “Oh, what a difference a day can make.”
The ink is drying on the final week of February and it must be recorded as one of the wildest and wackiest in recent memory. For instance, during this week, the temperature ranged from record highs to record lows with a 50 degree swing in a single day. The winds hit all points of the compass within a four hour span and varied from dead calm to hauling gales. And the fishing activity flexed from frenzied feeding one day to listless fasting the next. Indeed, it was one wild and wacky week!
On Monday Capt. Rocky had the pleasure of guiding two brothers from Michigan, Fred and Earl Rafferty. These two seasoned anglers hit gold with near-ideal conditions; glass-like seas and hyper-aggressive fish. The final fish count for the day reached double-digits with redfish from 26 to 41 inches and even included a gator trout to add a bit of variation to the bag. Pictured below are Fred and Earl and a few finned representatives from the day.
The City of Orlando is renowned for her world attractions such as Disney World and Sea World. However, Titusville, a small community less than an hour to the east of the Orlando, is home to two attractions that are literally out of this world – the Kennedy Space Center and phenomenal redfishing. For the past several months, the northern arm of Native Sons Fishing Charters has combined these later two by fishing in the shadows of the NASA facilities. And the resulting angling adventures have been the experiences for which many have only dreamed.
Late last week Hunter Tully and Mike, his long-time fishing buddy from Michigan, took a day away from the theme parks in Orlando to join Capt. Rocky stalking redfish on the flats near Titusville. These two caught six reds measuring up to 33 inches and lost two freight trains that they’ll not soon forget. Pictured below are these two good friends and several of their trophies from the day.
Earlier this past week it was Ohioan Dick DePu’s turn to join Capt. Rocky along the same stretch of water for a half day charter. Although this Buckeye did not land as many as the two from the land of maize and blue, he did get to experience the exhilaration of the incredible acceleration and raw power of the bronzed titans tearing across the flats. Unfortunately fights with five of these rockets were aborted prematurely, but the one pictured below did not escape his destiny with Dick
Fishing a bit further south along the Space Coast last week was Capt. Roland. He guided several successful charters into the pristine waters of the Grant/Sebastian area of the Indian River (55 miles southeast of Orlando) including Michiganders Vince Blumberg and his daughter Aubrei. These two caught a variety of fish on their full day charter including five reds, two jacks and a mango snapper. They also experienced Florida at her finest with manatees and dolphins under beautiful blue skies. Pictured below is Aubrei holding one their prized catches.
Finally, it was Gary Jarrold and his party with Capt. Roland for the full day charter yesterday. Again fishing the south Melbourne stretch of the Indian River (50 miles southeast of Orlando), this memorable guide trip featured six reds, two gator trout and one fine snook. The smiling angler below is Gray posing with the snook and one of his redfish.
The weather and fishing have been glorious the past few days although it is getting to be a little crowded on the water. Yesterday, fishing out of Titusville (40 miles east of Orlando) we caught nine reds to 39 inches and one trout but faced stiff competition for the fish. After poling in from 300 yards and stealthfully staking down, no less than thirteen boats tried to pole, troll or motor through the shoreline flats adjacent to our anchorage. When the armada finally set sail for greener pastures, or bluer waters, the reds were so thoroughly spooked I am afraid even a visit from Ghost Busters wouldn’t have set them aright. Pictured below, holding their newest acquaintances, are the reigning Minnesota Carp Queen and her royal court; Cindy Lehman, husband Fred, and son Paul.
Fishing in the Ft. Pierce area yesterday (70 miles southeast of Orlando), Capt. Roland guided Bob Jones of Palm Bay and Luke Marks of Lewes, Delaware. This crew finished their charter with five trout (18 to 26 inches), two small snook, two sheephead, and one 16 inch snapper.
Earlier last week, guided by Native Sons Captains Roland and Don, Dan Singer and two friends, Jim and Keith, escaped the frigid weather of Buffalo and ventured into the Indian River south of Titusville (45 minute drive from Orlando). This charter had the laughs of a lifetime as they battled a number of redfish included the monster pictured with Keith below. By the way, I believe this was the first time Keith had ever caught a fish. What an initiation to angling!
Our final report is another Capt. Roland recent guide adventure. Alan and Anna Schwartz joined him in the Grant/Sebastian area on a blustery winter day. Even though the temperature had plunged and the wind howled this merry crew found some calm water and a few fish anxious for a fight. Pictured below are Alan and one of his triumphs from the charter, a fine black drum.
Was it all a dream or did this actually take place? Even as an experienced profession fishing guide, I am still shaking my head and asking this question after two unbelievable and unforgettable days this past week.
Tom Ress from Athens AL and his long-time friend, Ed from Lexington, KY, decided to take a couple of days and go fishing prior to attending the 24 hour endurance race in Daytona Beach. Fishing on the shallow flats near Titusville (40 miles east of Orlando), these two anglers caught more than 20 redfish – 16 of which were over 30 inches and 9 of which exceeded 40 inches. In addition, they chased and caught huge black drum in the shallow, clear water in glass-like conditions. All fish were taken with light spinning tackle and released to be fought on another day. Since words really can not adequately describe the action we will just let the pictures tell the rest of the story.
There is no place like home. There is no place like home. There is no place like home – especially for a fishing guide living along the central east coast of Florida. After spending a week and a half in the frozen tundra of northern Alabama, it sure was good to return home to the greater Orlando area. While visiting family though, our Florida weather was besieged by an artic blast which dropped temperatures and threw the Chamber of Commerce (along with the fish) into a near panic. However, I am glad to report now that both weather and fish have returned to normal.
Capt. Roland had several guide trips worthy of reporting over the past week or so. The first involved several local utes (youths) and took place in the Indian River near Melbourne (60 miles southeast of Orlando). The Ryan boys, Michael, Daniel and Joey had a grand time on their charter catching a number of redfish, snook, black drum, sheephead and snapper. Pictured below is Michael holding one of his trophies, a rare wintertime snook.
Rich Spycher and Rich, Jr, a father and son combo, escaped from the frigid regions near Chicago to enjoy our warmer Florida environs and do a little fishing. Chartered with Capt. Roland, these northwesterners had a great guide trip catching 7 reds to 26 inches, 6 black drum, 3 sheephead and mango snappers and one bluefish. Fishing the deeper shorelines of the inshore islands near the historic fish camp on Honest John Canals (65 miles southeast of Orlando), the action was nearly non-stop for about five hours.
Lee and Angie, a couple from Kansas vacationing just north of Orlando, joined two Native Sons Fishing guides, Capt. Roland and me, the following day, on the same waters, and fishing the same tides. And even though we caught a similar variety of fish, they were smaller and a whole lot less in numbers. Fishing can be fickle! All in all though, a great time was had by everyone on this gorgeous, sun-soaked day – evidenced by the smiles in the photographs below.
Finally, Ray Duval, an old buddy of mine from Baltimore, chartered last Friday for a little redfish action on the Banana River in Merritt Island (40 miles east of Orlando). The reds were plentiful and anxious to entertain. Pictured below are Ray and one of the numerous reds caught on the half-day guide trip.
We do not experience what many would picture as a winter wonderland along the central east coast of Florida (near Orlando) from late December through early February. There is not even a remote chance of snow, sleet or blizzard. However, even though we do have our share of cooler temperatures, gray skies and windy days, the fishing can continue to be dreamlike nonetheless … dreamlike provided we adapt to the conditions and change our fishing locations, species, tactics and patterns accordingly.
One of the unique aspects to winter in our waters is the rapid changes in the habits of our fish, even during the course of one day. For example, yesterday I guided out of Titusville (35 miles east of Orlando) a trio from the frozen tundra of Canada, Lou, Dennis and Ericka. After finally finding bait balled-up in a deep canal, we proceeded to a slightly depressed area along a shoreline. This was located near the bait-filled deep canal and, along with ample ambush points, provided a perfect point for the game fish to wait for the finger mullet to migrate when the sun finally broke through and warmed the water. In the two pictures below, notice the heavy clothing worn by our crew during the cooler morning portion of the trip.
It was nearly noon before the fog lifted and the water finally began to warm. By this time, the schools of bait had flooded the flats and brought the hungry predators into the shallows. The fish pictured below were found in the afternoon, roaming in water less than two feet deep in an area where the grass flats are punctuated by sandy potholes. (This was on the same day as the photos above – note the difference in sky, sun, water surface and clothing)
Winter also brings us a different mix of species. Redfish and trout remain the solid staple of our inshore fishery. This time of year they are joined by black drum and pompano. Our most tropical species, such as snook and tarpon, require a warmer environment and either migrate south or push deep inland into the canals, creeks and rivers feeding our main waterways. However, we may still find a few of these fish in their summer haunts like the snook hooked on Christmas day in the Titusville area (35 miles east of Orlando). (Pictured below is Crystal with a small black drum caught recently in the Melbourne/Sebastian area – 55 miles southeast of Orlando)
During extended periods of very cold days (usually three to four days in a row), our fish generally struggle to keep warm by slipping into the deepest troughs available. This packs the fish into smaller confines and can make for some awesome fishing … provided you know where to look for them and what to do when you find them.
The bottom line for winter fishing in our area is adapt, adapt, adapt! The patterns so predictable last month may prove so fruitless the next. The tactics proved so deadly last week may be so ineffective the next. The locations where fish were so plentiful in the morning may become a desert by afternoon. Winter fishing can be wonderful if you are able to adapt, adapt, adapt.
