Fly Fishing The East Coast of Florida

Depending on the time of year the species targeted on the Indian River Lagoon system varies greatly. During the summer thousands anglers turn their attention towards the ocean where they can choose between many quarry including: jack crevalle to forty pounds, kingfish, bonito (false albacore, little tunny) tarpon, sharks, snook, Spanish mackerel and many other worthy critters.

The fall and spring seasons provide anglers with what is referred to as an A to Z selection of distinct gamefish to target. Cobia, tripletail, bluefish, pompano, weak fish, black drum, and whiting are only a few of these species. While winter brings excellent opportunities to sight cast to spotted sea trout and red drum, without a doubt these two species are top dogs year round. In fact all of the fish mentioned in this text can be caught from the Indian River Lagoon coast anytime of year depending on water temperatures and weather patterns.

Now let's take a look at a few of the Indian River Lagoon's fishing destinations moving north to south.

The Mosquito Lagoon's 21,919 acres of pristine grass flats may attract more anglers to it's waters than any other spot in Florida because of it's terrific reputation for being home to perhaps the world's best redfish and spotted sea trout sight fishing . There are numerous areas one can access these waters for wade fishing from the Cape Canaveral National Seashores and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. An angler only needs to follow a map and chart to explore these very interesting and diverse national treasures.

While exploring these areas anglers often over look the superb surf fishing they can experience from the Cape Canaveral National Seashore's beaches. Pompano, whiting, bluefish and even a few redfish are the primary targets along the surf, and when the fall finger mullet run starts, it's difficult to say what one might hook from the beach.

Further south along Highway US 1 Titusville rests quietly on the west shore of the Indian River Lagoon. This area has earned it's prestige for the being the door step to the Kennedy Space Center, and for it's excellent sight fishing for redfish. The mouth of Banana Creek and surrounding areas on the Indian River Lagoon's east shore provide exceptional year round sight fishing, while further south near NASA Causeway, and Moore's Creek you'll find redfish and black drum, some pushing forty pounds, occasionally tailing over shallow sand bars. During warmer weather tarpon and pompano will frequent these areas.

Heading south and east towards the barrier islands around Merritt Island, and Cocoa Beach one will find one's self exploring the waters of Port Canaveral and the Banana Lagoon. It is here where many International Game Fish Association line class world records have been set and broken on fly and spin tackle over the past twenty years; records for red and black drum on the Banana Lagoon. and tripletail outside of Port Canaveral. The infamous "No Motor Zone" a manatee refuge designated by the federal government is located a mile north of the 528 Causeway on the Banana Lagoon. This area, referred to as the NMZ is a must to see. Any serious angler will want to experience it's beauty and prime fishing.

Wonderful wade fishing opportunities exist on Merritt Island's west shore. These grass flats can be accessed from Sate Road 3, this road cuts down the middle of Merritt Island which divides the Banana and Indian River Lagoons. A small popper or glass minnow imitation fished on a six weight fly rod is deadly for ladyfish, spotted sea trout, jack crevalle, snook or even juvenile tarpon over these wadable, grass flats.

Smart anglers wading keep a close eye out of sting rays on the bottom. These critters can inflict serious wounds with their barred, spike located under their tails.

Speaking of jack crevalle, jack are permit with an attitude, and they can be found at Sebastian Inlet year round. The largest crevalle, some pushing thirty pounds, school in the late spring to summer just beyond the surf . Sebastian Inlet is only a short drive south of Port Canaveral on Highway A1A. This bustling State Park is known to provide shore anglers with the best fishing opportunities on Florida's entire coast. In Sebastian's inlet snook catching can be astronomical during the fall; the blitzes of redfish up to fifty pounds and tarpon over a hundred pounds can occur almost anytime of year, but are most likely to develop during a stiff wind and increasing easterly swells.

It's only thirty minutes south to Ft. Pierce Inlet from Sebastian . This is where spotted sea trout grow to world record size, and snook follow suit. If that's not enough, come summer time, when the little green crabs are flowing out the inlet on outgoing tides there's a chance one may catch a permit with a crab fly imitation. Occasionally these beautiful cousins to pompano, will reach thirty pounds, and should be consider a candidate for quick catch, photo and release.

When the surf is calm and clear, and baitfish such as threadfin herring, silver mullet, and pilchards are thick along the beaches, fishing for tarpon, kingfish, and other predatory gamefish, between Port St. Luice, Ft. Pierce and Sebastian Inlets can be impressive. The Ft. Pierce Inlet's south jetty has been well documented for it's year round snook fishery. It's adjacent beaches also offer shore anglers with opportunities to catch pompano . The best time of year for these hard fighting fish is during the cooler months.

About fifteen miles south of Ft. Pierce Inlet is Port St. Lucie Inlet. This narrow entrance is the last passage between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. Two miles north of this inlet you can access the beach at Blowing Rocks, where at times the opportunity to catch snook and tarpon is unmatched, but it's best to bring a heavy rod because there's times when these fish are monstrous.

Imagine catching a bonefish on one cast, and then hooking a jumbo snook on the next cast; this is possible from Stuart's Port St. Lucie Inlet. This Inlet is packed year round with linesiders, but the snook fishing is best without a doubt from late spring to mid fall, while it shelters it's largest population of linesiders smack dab in the middle of the hottest time of the year, July and August. The chance to tackle tarpon in the North and South Forks of the St. Lucie River exist all year round, while the spotted sea trout fishery in the areas near the inlet is best when the water is clean and clear.