Indian River Lagoon Fishing Charters
Redfish - Snook - Tarpon - Sea Trout
On Florida's East Coast
I am Captain Tony DeMao and I've been fishing the Indian and Banana Rivers and Mosquito Lagoon for over ten years. Meet me at the boat ramp or arrange for pickup from your home or hotel. For the best in fishing excitement contact me soon and reserve your charter.
The best time to catch Redfish is in the fall, throughout the winter and into the spring, but can be caught year round. These fish can be found tailing and cruising the shallow flats of the lagoons searching for food. When Redfish “tail” they are in very shallow water, 2ft. of water or less. They angle themselves toward the bottom but their tail sticks up out of the water, which makes them a prime target for sight fishing. They feed on small baitfish or crustaceans found in the soft bottom. It is also the best time to catch them because the water temperature is just right and plenty of food is present. Live bait, artificial lures, and saltwater flies will work on Redfish. The Redfish is a well known, and sought after game fish on the east and west coast of Florida. They give an excellent tug of war on light tackle. Redfish grow to over 30lbs. in this area, common catches are five to ten pounds, with a possibility of catching a giant over fifteen pounds.
Sea Trout are found in the same areas as the Redfish, on the shallow flats of the lagoons. In the spring, through the summer and into fall are the best times to target the Sea Trout. They are not as hardy as Redfish in the cold weather, so winter months are not as consistent. Sea Trout feed on the same baits as Redfish, mostly small to medium size baitfish and shrimp. Found cruising or lying in the potholes, Sea Trout are also a good sight fishing target as they sit in potholes waiting to ambush baitfish that swim by. They are also a little more aggressive than Redfish, so top water plugs and flies work great. It’s an awesome sight to see when a Sea Trout crashes a top water plug. Sea Trout are plentiful in this area, growing to over 10lbs. The average fish caught is about two to four pounds and fish five to seven pounds are pretty common as well.
Snook and Tarpon are two awesome game fish, Snook being more of a Saltwater Bass found along the many shorelines and inlets in this area. Snook are consistent through the middle of spring, in the summer and all of fall. Snook, when they’re hooked, are a strong fish. Sore arms and backs are the regular, but well worth it! The average Snook catch is about two to eight pounds along shorelines and eight to fifteen pounds around the inlets. Tarpon are a warm water fish, being consistent in the summer and into the fall, when the water temperature is in the seventies. Tarpon are the most acrobatic of the fish in the lagoon, jumping sometimes ten feet in the air and several times throughout the fight. The juvenile fish, which is ten to forty pounds, jumps more than the larger fish, which is fifty to over one hundred pounds. Tarpon are just plain fast action fighting fish. They are AWESOME!!
I have enjoyed salt-water sport fishing for the last twenty years and I am ready to pass on some of my knowledge and experience to you. Whether you are a professional, novice, or just want to experience a day on the water, you will enjoy the lagoons of east central Florida.
Everything is included
Flies, lures, bait, tackle, ice, fish cleaning and packaging. Individual, corporate groups and fishing tournments are available. Advanced notice is required for your fishing trip to assure that we have time to prepare for your adventure.
The Boat
Your adventure will be aboard a Hydrasport 1650 Flats Edition, 16'7'' length, abeam of 72" and a draft of only 11". This provides a very stable fishing platform, with ample storage and room to fish. Powered by a Johnson 115 hp there is plenty of speed to get to the fishing hole fast.
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