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Where: Just 45 minutes east of Orlando on Florida's Space Coast. We're just 15 miles north of Cocoa Beach (home of Ron Jon's Surf Shop and Port Canaveral - where all the Cruise vessels depart). The Merritt island Wildlife Sanctuary is only minutes away, where you can see thousands of exotic wild birds, Alligators, Sea Turtles and a host of other interesting wildlife. Situated on the Indian River Lagoon, Titusville takes you back into Old Florida where life was simpler and the pace was very relaxed. Warm currents pushing in from the Gulf Stream bring an abundance of fish close to the coast, allowing migratory fish to cruise the famous Play-A-Linda Beach which runs for almost 50 miles unabated by buildings of any kind. The nearby Kennedy Space Center is an attraction you should not miss, daily tours will take you right up to the launching pads for the Space Shuttles and other fascinating sights.
The Fishing: The Indian River is the longest estuary in the United States, stretching from Jacksonville in the north almost to Fort Lauderdale in the south, and Titusville is right in the middle. The famous Mosquito Lagoon, just 5 miles to the north is known as the best trophy Redfish fishery in the world. From Daytona Beach to Cocoa Beach, there is no inlet or outlet to the ocean, making this fantastic fishery of nearly 50 miles almost landlocked - except for the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) which winds a channel through the center of the Mosquito and Indian River Lagoons. The fish grow big and fat on a steady diet of Shrimp, Blue Crabs, Mullet and a host of other organisms, and since they can't get out of the area, it's just a matter of finding a hungry school willing to take your fly. Don't be fooled by the terminology, the Indian River is as much as 7 miles wide in some places. The area I usually fish is spread out within a 50 mile long by 6 mile wide body of water dotted with Mangrove islands and Oyster bars, it can be overwhelming to the newcomer, I have fished this area for almost 20 years and I still don't know it all - but I do know where the fish are - most of the time! The water we will be fishing is 3 feet deep or less, a drop-off usually goes from about 10 inches to about 2 feet and a deep hole will be about 6 feet deep! Numerous boat landings allow me to get out of the wind and keep us in great water where the sight fishing is best and there is little or no traffic from other boats.
I recommend 8wt. or 9wt. fast action saltwater approved rods, Aluminum hardware will keep the saltwater from invading wood reel seats and the like. A good Disc Drag reel is essential, with Floating and Ghost Tip lines and 8 to 10 foot 12 to 20 pound test leaders. An average 6 to 10 pound Redfish will tear off 40 to 80 yards of line before you can stop it, reel spools that can hold 100 or more yards of 20# test backing are a must! Cold water lines will work best, this is winter fishing, even though the daytime temperatures usually top out at around 74 degrees and average lows are in the mid 50's! Most casting distances are about 30 to 60 feet, and accuracy counts when sight fishing, a long accurate cast is better than trying to get in real tight to the fish and risk spooking them. It is always windy on the ocean! Don't be fooled by all those magazine photos, the wind is always a factor, we'll get out of it whenever possible, it's usually not blowing real hard, but it's almost always there. Most of the Redfish flies we will cast will be on #6 to #2 hooks, mostly Clouser style with weighted eyes to get to the bottom quickly. We will be fishing from my 18' Lowe flats boat with a Yamaha 25 Hp outboard and wading throughout the time period. Lightweight waders are optional, a good flats style boot is recommended. The bottom is sometimes a bit squishy, but not real soft, in some places you may sink in a couple of inches, but usually not more than about 6, in softer areas we will stay in the boat. We may get a shot at a Tarpon but this usually only happens in early December. Snook, Speckled Seatrout & Redfish are our most likely targets. Sometimes we chance upon some exotic fish, Jacks, Ladyfish, Mangrove Snapper and even some Puffers - watch your fingers! I will spot fish from the poling platform and direct your cast to the target, it's great fun to hook up with a Red that will rip your line out faster than any Salmon you ever had on! Schools of hungry Jack Cravelle can suddenly come from nowhere to attack en-mass, the action can be fast and furious and then just as suddenly as they appeared, they're gone, chasing the pod of baitfish they were on. Occasionally a school of big Bull Reds will show up tailing in as much as 4 feet of water, I keep my powerful Muskie Master rigged with a sink-tip line just for such chance encounters, a heavily weighted shrimp pattern will usually get a take from one of these monsters which may weigh as much as 50 pounds!
When: Anytime throughout the winter months - December 5th through March 5th, 2007/2008
Itinerary
Fly into Orlando International Airport on an afternoon/evening plane, I will prearrange with you the time of your arrival and meet you at the airport, I'll drop you off at your hotel in Titusville. At 7:00 am (eastern time), I'll pick you up and we'll head out to go fishing for the day. We'll have lunch in the field (let me know your drink and sandwich preferences ahead of time), and continue fishing until about just before dark. I'll drop you off at your hotel and you will have the rest of the evening to yourself. We'll do this for 3 days, I hope you can handle all those fish! You'll check out of your hotel on the 4th morning, I'll take you back to OIA and send you back to that cold winter up north! You'll be tanned, warm and satisfied by the time you get home, your friends will be jealous and you'll have some fantastic fishing stories to tell, along with all your pictures and maybe even some video. If you wish, car rentals are available at the airport.
Cost per person: $750.00 per person Double Occupancy
Single Occupancy: $1200.00
Cost includes: Guide Fees, Lunches, Flies & tackle (if needed), Boat & fuel and transportation to and from the Airport.
Transportation to Florida and your fishing license is your responsibility. Fishing licenses can be purchased online at: www.myfwc.com or by calling 1-888-347-4356
To reserve a Trip:
phone: 1-715-385-0171
(it rings through to my Florida residence)
or
e-mail: wetieit@wetieit.com
Where: Just 45 minutes east of Orlando on Florida's Space Coast. We're just 15 miles north of Cocoa Beach (home of Ron Jon's Surf Shop and Port Canaveral - where all the Cruise vessels depart). The Merritt island Wildlife Sanctuary is only minutes away, where you can see thousands of exotic wild birds, Alligators, Sea Turtles and a host of other interesting wildlife. Situated on the Indian River Lagoon, Titusville takes you back into Old Florida where life was simpler and the pace was very relaxed. Warm currents pushing in from the Gulf Stream bring an abundance of fish close to the coast, allowing migratory fish to cruise the famous Play-A-Linda Beach which runs for almost 50 miles unabated by buildings of any kind. The nearby Kennedy Space Center is an attraction you should not miss, daily tours will take you right up to the launching pads for the Space Shuttles and other fascinating sights.
The Fishing: The Indian River is the longest estuary in the United States, stretching from Jacksonville in the north almost to Fort Lauderdale in the south, and Titusville is right in the middle. The famous Mosquito Lagoon, just 5 miles to the north is known as the best trophy Redfish fishery in the world. From Daytona Beach to Cocoa Beach, there is no inlet or outlet to the ocean, making this fantastic fishery of nearly 50 miles almost landlocked - except for the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) which winds a channel through the center of the Mosquito and Indian River Lagoons. The fish grow big and fat on a steady diet of Shrimp, Blue Crabs, Mullet and a host of other organisms, and since they can't get out of the area, it's just a matter of finding a hungry school willing to take your fly. Don't be fooled by the terminology, the Indian River is as much as 7 miles wide in some places. The area I usually fish is spread out within a 50 mile long by 6 mile wide body of water dotted with Mangrove islands and Oyster bars, it can be overwhelming to the newcomer, I have fished this area for almost 20 years and I still don't know it all - but I do know where the fish are - most of the time! The water we will be fishing is 3 feet deep or less, a drop-off usually goes from about 10 inches to about 2 feet and a deep hole will be about 6 feet deep! Numerous boat landings allow me to get out of the wind and keep us in great water where the sight fishing is best and there is little or no traffic from other boats.
I recommend 7wt. or 8wt. fast action saltwater approved rods, Aluminum hardware will keep the saltwater from invading wood reel seats and the like. A good Disc Drag reel is essential, with Floating and Ghost Tip lines and 8 to 10 foot 12 to 20 pound test leaders. An average 6 to 10 pound Redfish will tear off 40 to 80 yards of line before you can stop it, reel spools that can hold 100 or more yards of 20# test backing are a must! Cold water lines will work best, this is winter fishing, even though the daytime temperatures usually top out at around 74 degrees and average lows are in the mid 50's! Most casting distances are about 30 to 60 feet, and accuracy counts when sight fishing, a long accurate cast is better than trying to get in real tight to the fish and risk spooking them. It is always windy on the ocean! Don't be fooled by all those magazine photos, the wind is always a factor, we'll get out of it whenever possible, it's usually not blowing real hard, but it's almost always there. Most of the Redfish flies we will cast will be on #6 to #2 hooks, mostly Clouser style with weighted eyes to get to the bottom quickly. We will be fishing from my 18' Lowe flats boat with a Yamaha 25 Hp outboard and wading throughout the time period. Lightweight waders are optional, a good flats style boot is recommended. The bottom is sometimes a bit squishy, but not real soft, in some places you may sink in a couple of inches, but usually not more than about 6, in softer areas we will stay in the boat. We may get a shot at a Tarpon but this usually only happens in early December. Snook, Speckled Seatrout & Redfish are our most likely targets. Sometimes we chance upon some exotic fish, Jacks, Ladyfish, Mangrove Snapper and even some Puffers - watch your fingers! I will spot fish from the poling platform and direct your cast to the target, it's great fun to hook up with a Red that will rip your line out faster than any Salmon you ever had on! Schools of hungry Jack Cravelle can suddenly come from nowhere to attack en-mass, the action can be fast and furious and then just as suddenly as they appeared, they're gone, chasing the pod of baitfish they were on. Occasionally a school of big Bull Reds will show up tailing in as much as 4 feet of water, I keep my powerful Muskie Master rigged with a sink-tip line just for such chance encounters, a heavily weighted shrimp pattern will usually get a take from one of these monsters which may weigh as much as 50 pounds!
When: Anytime throughout the winter months - November 15th through March 25th
Itinerary
Fly into Orlando International Airport on an afternoon/evening plane, I will prearrange with you the time of your arrival and meet you at the airport, I'll drop you off at your hotel in Titusville. At 7:00 am (eastern time), I'll pick you up and we'll head out to go fishing for the day. We'll have lunch in the field (let me know your drink and sandwich preferences ahead of time), and continue fishing until about just before dark. I'll drop you off at your hotel and you will have the rest of the evening to yourself. We'll do this for as many days as you can stand, I hope you can handle all those fish! You'll check out of your hotel on the 4th morning, I'll take you back to OIA and send you back to that cold winter up north! You'll be tanned, warm and satisfied by the time you get home, your friends will be jealous and you'll have some fantastic fishing stories to tell, along with all your pictures and maybe even some video. If you wish, car rentals are available at the airport.
Cost includes: Guide Fees, Lunches, Flies & tackle (if needed), Boat & fuel and transportation to and from the Airport, (if desired).
Transportation to Florida and your fishing license is your responsibility. Fishing licenses can be purchased online at: www.myfwc.com or by calling 1-888-347-4356
To reserve a Trip:
phone: 1-715-385-0171
(it rings through to my Florida residence)
or
e-mail: wetieit@wetieit.com