INDIAN & BANANA RIVER FISHING REPORT

By Captain Rob D’Andrea
www.orlando-fishingcharters.com

Indian and Banana River

Alternating days of cold and warm weather has been the norm lately here in Central Florida. The creeks and canals should continue to produce some nice trout and redfish through February. During warmer afternoons, snook will show up in shallow water near deeper mangroves and docks. Berkley Gulp Shrimp rigged on a 1/4-oz. jig head has been the best bet for all species. Bass Assassin Shads rigged weedless and skipped under mangroves and docks will take their fare share of nice fish as well. As we move through the month with fewer cooler days, the top water fishing should start to pick up. The Bomber Badonk-A-Donk and Heddon Zara Spook are the ticket to explosive top water strikes. Sykes Creek and the Grand Canal are great places to fish this time of year and will hold good numbers of trout, redfish, and snook.

Cape Canaveral Offshore

The kingfish bite has been excellent lately out of the Port. This fishing should continue to be good through February; this is the time of the year to catch large numbers of these voracious predators. The Pelican Flats have been consistent, with most anglers easily catching their limits of fish. Blackfin tuna, cobia, and wahoo have been showing up in these same areas, giving fisherman the opportunity to bring home a great mixed bag of fish. The shrimp boat fleet has been out as well, and anglers finding these boats cleaning their catch during early mornings will have the best opportunity to catch blackfin tuna, false albacore, wahoo, and sharks. I prefer live pogies, cigar minnows, or mullet, but whatever live bait you can scrounge up will give you a shot at these fish.

Lake Toho and the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes

The last week in January some big bass moved up to spawn on Lake Toho and the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. Bass up to 12 pounds moved up into the shallows during the warming trend that occurred at the end of last month. Numerous fish from 8 to 10 lbs. were caught as well. A cold front backed them off, which means the majority of the bass have not made the move to the beds just yet. As the water warms around the full moon, February should be the prime month this year for big waves of fish heading shallow to spawn. When the bass back off the beds, fishing deeper water adjacent to spawning areas is the key to good limits of big ‘ol Florida bass! At the Bassmaster Southern Open tournament at the end of January on Lake Toho it took 80 lbs.- 13 oz of bass in three days to win the title. That is an average day’s catch of over 26 lbs. a day! These fish were staging to spawn in offshore areas and caught on a Rat-L-Trap.

Catch ‘em up!

Capt. Rob D’Andrea runs Hooked On Fishing Charters (514-2967) and specializes in both fresh and salt water fishing with full, half, and 3/4-day charters. He is also available as a captain-for-hire.

River Fishing Report: December 2010

Captain Rob D’Andrea

It’s that time of year again. The water and air temperatures have begun to cool and the days are getting shorter. Take a break from shopping because this is a great time of year to enjoy some excellent fishing, with a variety of different angling opportunities available. Whether you’re cruising the offshore waters near Cape Canaveral, drifting the flats of the Indian River Lagoon, or dissecting the open water grass beds of Lake Toho, this is the time of year to seek and destroy!

Indian River and Banana River

With the fall bait migration in full swing, the fishing has been excellent for redfish and trout. The grass flats of Cocoa Beach and Merritt Island have been particularly productive. The pattern is simple: Look for clean grass flats with bait present and work the area. My clients have been enjoying a stellar top water trout bite during early mornings. These fish have been averaging 2 to 4 lbs. and have been quite aggressive. The Heddon Torpedo and Zara spook have been my baits of choice. When the top water bite slows, the Bass Assassin Sea Shad bounced steadily off the bottom will make them bite. Live mullet and hand-picked shrimp will work on these fish for those who don’t want to work too hard. I’ve been catching some redfish as well in these same areas, and they’ve been ranging from 6 to 15 lbs. The creek and canal fishing will pick up as fish move in for the winter. Mangroves and docks with deep water nearby will be a sure bet.

Offshore

When the weather has permitted, a variety of fish have been caught offshore Cape Canaveral. The Spanish mackerel bite has been strong north of the Cape, and these fish are a blast to catch on light tackle. They love to eat a Gotcha plug or, my personal favorite, a Clark spoon. Flounder and Pompano are around if you have a good hole. 8A reef has been good for kingfish as well as mangrove snapper. Livies of appropriate size lowered in the right location will put bends in the rods. I intercepted some dolphin that were heading south to warmer waters. These fish ranged from 15 to 25 lbs. and were a blast for my clients to catch on light tackle. The wahoo fishing has picked up – “WAHOOOOOOOOOOO!” I like high-speed trolling with artificial lures for these speedsters. My favorite areas are located along the Cones.

Freshwater

The fishing has been exciting on the St. Johns River. Schooling bass weighing 2 to 3 lbs. have been busting shad and are a ball to catch on light tackle. Small swim baits and jerk baits have been producing the most fish. When they go down deep, Carolina-rigged soft plastics are the ticket. Lipless crank baits ripped along vegetation have been taking some better fish. Sand bars and shell beds have been holding the baitfish as well as the bass. The Butler chain of Lakes in Orlando is starting to show signs of the winter shad run, which means that schooling bass time is almost here! These clear waters can provide fishing moments you won’t soon forget. One hundred fish days are possible, so getcher popcorn ready!

Catch ‘em up!

Capt. Rob D’Andrea runs Hooked On Fishing Charters (514-2967) and specializes in both fresh and salt water fishing with full, half, and 3/4-day charters. He is also available as a captain-for-hire.

INDIAN & BANANA RIVER FISHING REPORT

By Captain Rob D’Andrea
www.orlando-fishingcharters.com

Indian and Banana Rivers

The higher water levels along with cooler temperatures will continue to produce a variety of fishing opportunities in the Indian and Banana Rivers. Snook season is now open, and I’ve been having success skipping baits under mangroves and docks. These fish have been running from 3-10 lbs., with early mornings and late evenings providing the best bite. The Thousand Island area of Cocoa Beach has been the best bet. Look for slightly deeper mangrove shorelines and docks. In these same areas, drop-offs have been the ticket for hungry legal trout, slot-sized redfish, and the occasional tarpon. Weighted Bass Assassin Shads rigged weedless have been taking all species. As we approach the fall bait run, I expect the fishing to heat up for all species.

Offshore

When weather permits, I’ve been having good success with several species offshore Port Canaveral, hitting the buoys on the way out and catching some big tripletail. I had a client catch a gorgeous, 25-lb. fish. We hooked the fish and pulled it away from the buoy, and when we got the fish into the boat after a tough battle, I noticed a hook in its mouth with a cut-off leader. When I cleaned the fish back at the dock, I found two jig heads in his stomach! This fish broke three other anglers hearts before my client landed this trophy. A truly memorable catch he’ll never forget.

The kingfish have been steady in 80 ft. around wrecks along with the occasional cobia. Live, free-lined baits are money. There have been some weed lines and flotsam around lately from steady winds and some dolphin have been showing up in 100-150 ft. Slow-trolled live bait or rigged ballyhoo have been landing fish from 8-15 lbs. Wahoo are starting to show up in 250 ft. and this fishing will improve later in the month. Hi-speed trolling with dark colored lures is the secret to success here.

Lake Toho and The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes

The largemouth bass fishing has been steady on Lake Tohopekaliga. There has been a good top water bite throughout the day. A Gambler Flapp’n Shad fished over mats of hydrilla in 4-8 ft. of water has been raising plenty of chunky bass. In open water pockets of the vegetation, the Heddon Zara Spook has been calling them up. If the top-water bite slows, a Florida-rigged dark colored 8″ plastic worm fished slowly will trigger bites. Big Grassy Island and Brown’s Point are good places to search on Toho. Lake Cypress has been producing some nice fish in and around submerged vegetation. Lipless crank baits fished erratically have been triggering some violent strikes. Chrome with blue back and chrome with green back have been the best choice. Chatter Baits of the white/chartreuse combination have been taking some fish as well.

Catch ‘em up!

Capt. Rob D’Andrea runs Hooked On Fishing Charters (321) 514-2967 and specializes in both salt and fresh water. Full, half, and 3/4-day charters. He is also available as a captain-for-hire.

River Fishing Report: August 2010
By Captain Rob D’Andrea
www.orlando-fishingcharters.com

When you stop and think about it, fishing is a lot like a game of chance. Just as many folks head to the casino to try their luck at hitting a jackpot, and a fisherman or woman heads out on the water in hopes off catch “the big one” against many odds. The question is, how can an angler increase his or her chance at success?

A savvy gambler would never play a game he doesn’t understand, and a smart fisherman needs to understand the rules of his game just as well. Different species of fish prefer specific baits, techniques, and habits you need to be familiar with to stack the odds in your favor.

Preparation is an oft-overlooked key to fishing, and very important because you can control it to your favor. You can make sure your rods and reels are properly maintained, lines are undamaged, knots are properly tied, and hooks are sharp. Many people fail to practice this, including several excellent anglers I know. I have one friend who is a very talented fisherman but based on what his tackle looks like, I don’t know how he ever catches a fish! When he breaks off a fish he gets mad that the knot he tied three weeks ago failed.

We can’t control the weather, tide, the water level or the fish, but we can control our preparation and knowledge. So the next time you head out to your favorite fishing spot, take a little time to prepare and know how to stack the odds in your favor to make your next cast a winner!

Indian River and Banana River

Bass Assassin Sea Shads and D.O.A Shrimp have been productive first thing in the morning for cruising redfish of all sizes on the flats. Pine Island and the Cocoa Beach area have been the best bet. Trout fishing during the day has been a little slow, but I’ve been having success fishing at night soaking live pinfish and pigfish around structures. When the fish are found, they range from 3 to 5 lbs. Fun-sized snook have been plentiful throughout the rivers and Mosquito Lagoon; look for rock piles and mangroves that have at least 2 feet of water underneath them.

Offshore

The colder water along with a lack of current and dirty water has slowed the bottom fishing for grouper and snapper. Look for this fishing to improve in a couple of weeks. There are still some kingfish off the beaches, but they have thinned out a bit; fish the Pelican Flats or 8A reef with live bait for success. Cobia can still be found, but not the numbers we saw over the last couple of months. Keep a jig rod ready though!

The other side of the Gulf Stream has been productive for yellowfin tuna weighing 40 to 60 lbs., big dolphin up to 70 lbs. and blue marlin in the 250-lb. range. Finding the birds and trolling big lures 70 to 90 miles out of Port Canaveral is the name of the game.

St. John’s River

The bass fishing on the St. John’s River has been good in the morning and evening. From July to September I normally do half days in the morning and afternoon. I’ve had success on some schooling fish early and late. Rattletraps and soft jerk baits have been working well when the fish are up on the surface feeding. When the fish go deep, Carolina-rigged lizards and craws have been taking some decent fish. Most of the fish have been 2 to 5 lbs. with the occasional leviathan weighing 8+ pounds. The channel catfish bite is still on for those who want to dunk chicken livers or cut mullet. These fish are delicious and perfect for a summer fish fry.

Catch ‘em up!

Capt. Rob D’Andrea runs Hooked On Fishing Charters (321) 514-2967 and specializes in both saltwater and freshwater fishing. Full, half, and 3/4-day charters available. He is also available as a Captain-for-Hire.

Indian & Banana River Fishing Report: July ‘10
• Captain Rob D’Andrea •
www.orlando-fishingcharters.com

In the immortal words of Alice Cooper: “Schools… Out… For… Summer!”  This is a fantastic time to connect with the kids in your life, and fishing is a great way to do it. We’re lucky to live in an area so rich with wildlife and natural beauty. There are many adventures to be had out there, so grab the fishing gear and show the youngsters in your life a thing or two about being an angler.

Indian River & Banana River

The redfish and trout fishing continue to be productive during the first few hours of the morning as well as the last few hours before sunset. As far as artificial lures go, the Heddon Torpedo and Zara Spook fished rapidly on the surface will provoke violent strikes from hungry trout and redfish. Bass Assassin Shads are also working as usual. Live free-lined shrimp and pigfish are the ticket for those who don’t want to work so hard! The grass flats of the Indian River around Pine Island and the Thousand Island area of Cocoa Beach in the Banana River have been providing excellent fishing. Fair numbers of snook have been biting in creeks and canals of these areas, and it can be fast and furious where current from runoff is located. D.O.A shrimp and jerk baits will take them for some enjoyable catch-and-release fishing.  Tarpon are still present and can be spotted while snook fishing and have been weighing anywhere from 10 to 50 lbs.

Cape Canaveral Inshore

There’s a smorgasbord of fish right now off the beaches chewing on pogies and sardines. In 20 to 40 ft. of water we’ve got cobia, kingfish, tarpon, snook, redfish, jack crevalle, and sharks gorging themselves on numerous bait pods. Grab your cast net or sabiki rig, fill your bait well with livies, and start catching. I usually start fishing just outside of where I catch my live bait. I’ll sight fish to visible fish, drift, and slow-troll for success. The fish have been running larger than usual this year with cobia up to 80 lbs., kingfish to 50 lbs., and tarpon to 150 lbs., all being caught recently. There have also been 300+ lb. bull sharks swimming around looking to crash the party, so make sure you eat your Wheaties.

Lake Toho

Lake Toho continues to produce the Orlando trophy bass it’s known for. This year, I’ve seen some of the best big bass fishing in recent memory. The lake drawdown six years ago to scrape areas of muck off the bottom has allowed native vegetation to re-establish itself and greatly improved water quality and bass spawning habitat. I believe we are just starting to see the benefits of the restoration and the fishing will get even better. The bass are well into their summer patterns right now, and the majority of the fish are being caught offshore around submerged vegetation in 4 to 8 ft. of water. Various topwater lures have been effective early and late, and 10″ worms, Florida or Carolina rigged, have been a good bet throughout the day.

Catch ‘em up!

Capt. Rob D’Andrea runs Hooked On Fishing Charters (321) 514-2967 and specializes in inshore saltwater and freshwater lakes. Full, half, and 3/4-day charters available.

Indian & Banana River Fishing Report: June ’10
• Captain Rob D’Andrea •
www.orlando-fishingcharters.com

Indian River & Banana River

The grass flats north of Pineda Causeway have been excellent for trout and redfish. During the early mornings and late evenings the Heddon Torpedo in chrome has been tough to beat for multiple strikes. This bite can continue throughout the day if overcast conditions are present. In the heat of the day live finger mullet and live handpicked shrimp fished on the bottom have been the ticket. If artificial lures are your game, then a 1/4-oz. jighead with a 4″ chartreuse grub bounced on the bottom will entice them.

The Satellite Beach canals are now holding more tarpon then last month and catches have been improving every day. In June and July they’ll be marching along the beaches and can provide amazing fishing action. Swim baits, Bass Assassin Shads, and D.O.A Shrimp in 1/2 oz. sizes are all working. Live finger mullet will get hook ups as well. Snook are holding along docks, sea walls, and mangroves and are interested in the same bait as the tarpon. Mangrove snapper are holding near bridges, deep docks, and rock piles in the main river, with the better fishing occurring when current is present. Small free-lined shrimp with light line is the trick to a full bag of these hard fighters; they’re a blast to catch and great table fare. We’ve also been catching decent numbers of ladyfish and jack crevelle; they’re always eager to gobble up your bait and give you a workout!

St. Johns River

Water levels on the St. Johns are still high right now, which can make it difficult to find concentrations of fish. I’ve recently been having some success in very specific areas catching schooling catfish and bass. Intersections and bends in the river have been holding these fish.

Cut mullet fished on the bottom have been taking good numbers of catfish up to 15 lbs. These fish provide an excellent fight and are great for the table. Look for schooling bass breaking the surface in these areas and throw a Bass Assassin Shad in there and hold on! When the bass go down, slowly work a Carolina-rigged worm or lizard in the same spot for success. These schooling bass are weighing between 1 to 3 lbs. with the occasional 4- to 5-lb. fish.

Lake Toho & The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes

It’s schooling bass time folks, and the largemouth bass fishing on Lake Tohopekaliga has been excellent. The north end of Lake Toho and the south end of Lake Kissimmee have been productive for those using live wild shiners as well as artificial lures. The outer edges of grass lines and isolated clumps of hydrilla have been holding schooling fish.

Lucky Craft LVR lipless crank baits ripped through the vegetation have been providing my clients with 25-plus fish days. When the action slows, pitching a 10″ worm in these same areas will snatch a few fish. In the mornings and evenings topwater lures have been taking their fare share of nice bass, too. Live wild shiners are working as usual, and on these waters they can produce a trophy bass at any time.

Catch ‘em up!

Capt. Rob D’Andrea runs Hooked On Fishing Charters (321) 514-2967 and specializes in inshore saltwater and freshwater lakes. Full, half, and 3/4-day charters available.

River Fishing Report: May ’10
• Capt. Rob D’Andrea •
www.orlando-fishingcharters.com

Indian River and Banana River
The inshore saltwater fishing has really picked up with the warmer air and water temperature. The redfish and trout have been feeding voraciously on the grass flats of the Thousand Islands area of Cocoa Beach. Topwater lures such as the Heddon Zara Spook, Lucky Craft Sammy, and Mirrolure Top Dog have been producing excellent action early in the morning and late in the evening. During the day, D.O.A Shrimp and the Bass Assassin Sea Shad fished on a 1/4-oz. jig head has been tough to beat for these fish. Live finger mullet and free-lined shrimp have been catching their fair share as well.

The canals of Cocoa Beach and Satellite Beach have been producing some snook and tarpon. The snook are ganged up under docks and mangroves. All docks and mangroves are not created equal, so you must cover water until you find a “magic tree” or dock. If you find a productive tree or dock, stick with it because it’s uncommon to catch five to ten snook in the right spot. Live free-lined shrimp, Bass Assassin Shad, and D.O.A Shrimp have all been effective. The tarpon have been around, but the bite has not been consistent. Look for rolling and cruising fish while snook fishing. If you spot tarpon, pitch a live mullet or D.O.A Bait Buster for success.

Lake Toho
The weather has been steadily warming up and the big bass bite is on at Lake Toho. The bass are in all stages of the spawn which gives anglers many different options to pursue them. For the last few weeks, the fishing on the south end of the lake near Brown’s Point is providing steady fishing. Live wild shiners fished near grass edges and reed clumps have consistently been producing trophy bass from 7 to 9 lbs. for my clients. The action on artificial lures has been equally productive, and at times even better then live bait. In and around heavy vegetation, top water lures such as the Bass Assassin Logger Toad and Gambler Flappin’ Shad have been landing the trophies Lake Toho is known for. Rattle Traps and Jerk baits worked around sparse grass have been getting their share of giants as well.

I had some clients coming into town, so I decided to do some scouting around to find more and better fishing areas. I’m sure glad I did, because I had a memorable day. I picked up a 3/4-oz. Rattle Trap and stuck with it all day. I only caught ten fish for the day, but my five biggest fish weighed over 30 lbs.! My catch was also anchored by a healthy 9-1/2 lb. trophy that had previously spawned. These areas produced several bass from 5 to 7 lbs. for my clients on three different trips. We used a variety of Rattle Traps, Topwaters, soft plastics, and live wild shiners. As we move through May, most of the bass will be post-spawners eager to gorge themselves and explode on topwater lures.

Catch ‘em up!

Capt. Rob D’Andrea runs Hooked On Fishing Charters (321) 514-2967 and specializes in inshore saltwater/freshwater lakes. Full, half, and 3/4 day charters available.