Indian River Links
Saltwater Fishing Charters by Lagooner Fishing Guides
Indian River Lagoon Redfish in Florida
Central Florida's Channel Bass, Puppy Drum or Red Drum Fishing
Saturday April 21, 2018
Why watch anglers catch redfish on the television when you can go fishing on the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) when your visiting Florida's east coast. Redfish are an abundant species of fish sought after by anglers all over the southeastern United States. The Indian River Lagoon is probably the best bet to catch a nice sized redfish for a picture or possibly to take home for dinner. Florida's Indian River Lagoon is the main waterway running parallel to the coastline behind the barrier island's fringing mainland. Most people visiting Florida are not even aware of the treasure trove of outdoors activities from fishing, hunting, shell collecting to observing wildlife or combing the beaches, all within minutes of Florida's main attractions.
If by chance you visit the central Florida area, you'll not want to miss the Indian River Lagoon and it's redfish angling. We have some of the best redfish fishing guides in the world and take pride in putting our anglers in touch with the Indian River's finest fishing whether it be redfish or other saltwater fish species.
Life On The Indian River Lagoon
Cruising along the Indian River Lagoon in a shallow water boat looking for redfish and other gamefish allows you to see the wondrous beauty of Central Florida in it's natural state. During the peak of birding season from December thru March, you'll see almost every species of waterfowl that North America has to offer.
Referred to as a river the Indian River has no real headwaters and is truly a saltwater lagoon fed by the tides rushing in and out of the natural and manmade inlets opening up to the Atlantic Ocean. In Central Florida we have Sebastian Inlet in the south and Ponce or New Smyrna Inlet in the north. Both inlets provide a constant flushing of the Indian River Lagoon and allow juvenile sea life to travel between ocean and lagoons.
During the winter you'll see large flocks of birds traveling overhead and floating in the water. Both skies and water are often black with waterfowl and are often mistaken when taking off for flight as dark plumes of smoke twisting and moving in the air as they move and pulse together in unison. Warmer months on the Indian River Lagoon offer great fishing opportunities toward the inlet's themselves. Giant redfish schools spawn in mid August and into September or October when the largest red drum can be caught on light tackle in shallow water.
Where is the Indian River Lagoon
Technically the IRL or Indian River is part of the Intracoastal waterway on the eastern seaboard of the United States. The name of this body of water changes as you traverse the waterway from Biscayne Bay in Miami and northward toward the Chesapeake Bay or Montawk New Jersey.
East Central Florida's prominent Indian River Lagoon sections are called the Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River Lagoon and of course the Indian River Lagoon as it heads south toward Sebastian Inlet and Fort Pierce with the North Boundary skirting a small town called Scottsmoore and Mims.
Known as a fish that will not quit, redfish can be absolute brutes. And as such, they have become one of the most sought after fish in the shallows of Florida. Since their protection in the mid 1980's redfish numbers have proliferated and are especially abundant and large on the east central Florida coastline. Redfish have a coppery bronze color with a tinge of red, color will vary depending on water clarity. Normally redfish have one spot on the base of their tails but often there are several or many spots. Take a look at these spots caught by a lagooner fisherman. [LOOK]
East Central Florida boast some of the best inshore and estuary fishing for redfish in the world. Our redfish are renown for both quantity and quality. They are found in the lagoon systems all around the coast of Florida and some are even found offshore. This species is often found feeding in less than one foot of water while foraging for crustaceans, fish and small mollusk. Often they are in such shallow water that you can see their tales and backs protruding from the water, hence the term "tailing redfish".
Best Redfish Locations
Mosquito Lagoon
Sightfishing Mecca from Oakhill to Playlinda Beach. World famous fishing waters in the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge in Northern Brevard County. Mosquito Lagoon can have crystal clear water allowing flyfisherman and light-tackle fisherman great opportunities to sight fish for tailing redfish and other species.
Northern Indian River Lagoon
Banana Creek, Titusville, Carbide Flats, Haulover Canal, Dummit Cove, Scottsmore are only some of the known redfish haunts in this area.
The Banana River has a NMZ or No Motorized Zone in the very north adjacent to Canaveral Airforce Base and NASA property. This are can be extremely productive for big schooling redfish as they are not subjected to motor boats and fishing pressure.
Remarks
Orlando Redfish
Sebastian Redfish
Mosquito Lagoon Redfish
Banana River Guide Service
Indian River Redfish Guide
Releasing Redfish
Indian River Redfish
Regulations
Not less than 18" or more than 27" and only 1 fish per harvester per day.
State Record
51 lbs., 8 ozs.
Red Drum Fishing Charters on the Indian River Lagoon
Reviewed by Captain Richard Bradley on Last modified: April 09 2018 12:40:32.
Published by: Captain Richard Bradley of Lagooner Fishing Guides©
Fishing Reports
April - 2018 Fishing Report
Fishing Forecast
April - 2018 Fishing Forecast
April of 2018 should be a great spring for fishing in both inshore and offshore coastal waters of Central Florida. Look to the Mosquito Lagoon and Banana Rivers to produce redfish and sea trout consistently and then look toward the ocean and depending on the water temps, clear skies and wind the cobia will be on their way north and migrating past Canaveral towards their northern grounds on the mid-Atlantic seaboard. Central Florida's weather during the spring is usually no less than spectacular as the college spring breakers are winding up the end of their vacation and heading back to campus to finish up before summer break. Daytona Beach host several spring events from NASCAR Races, Bike Week and Spring Break activities while Cocoa Beach and it's Space Coast offer a much less crowded alternative for vacationers to seek a more secluded and restful Holiday. The temperatures are rising and the fishing should be heating up too in East Central Florida's Cocoa Beach.
Lagooner Fishing Guides
Cocoa Beach's premier saltwater fishing guide with over 25 years of charter fishing experience in his native waters.
Telephone: 321-868-4953
Website: www.lagooner.com
Cocoa Beach, FL
USA
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Lagooner Fishing Guides Review / Facebook
Inshore and Offshore Charter Fishing near Orlando and Cocoa Beach, Florida. Catch redfish, sea trout, tarpon, snook and many other saltwater gamefish aboard the world famous Lagooner flats fishing boat with renowned Captain Richard Bradley.
Captain Richard was great company on the boat. He's a blast to hang out with and will glady joke around with everyone. When it came to the fishing it was a tough day to start but we were able to find a school of drummer fish. He was able to spot a school of fish from his boat which was pretty cool. We caught a good 20-25 lb black drumfish which made the whole trip worth it. For sure recommend captain Richard.
Written by: Sam Teitelbaum about Lagooner Fishing Charters on
January 22, 2015
5 / 5 stars 