The weather outside isn’t frightful, but the fishing has been quite delightful, let him go, let him go, let him go!  Merry Christmas everyone!

I would like to begin this weeks Orlando Area and Mosquito Lagoon Coastal Fishing Report by wishing everyone a very joyful and merry Christmas.  Each evening before bed I say a prayer thanking the Lord for the many blessings he has bestowed upon me.  Great family, great friends and great fishing, life is good!

Well as mentioned is the opening line, the weather and the fishing in Central Florida over the past few weeks has been stunning.  Mild temperatures, calm winds and seas and lots of action on the water.

Nearshore out of Port Canaveral:

The nearshore and offshore fishing has been very good this week with very fishable seas and water temperatures in the low 70’s.  These conditions have been perfect for shallow water boats allowing easy access to fishing the nearshore reefs and wrecks and well as along the beach.  The major bites to report are the kingfish out on 8A Reef and Pelican Flats have been off the hook.  Netting live bait is difficult this time of year, but the kingfish have been eagerly taking Spanish sardines trolled naked, and kingfish limits have been easy to achieve.  In close alone the beach this past week we caught pompano, whiting, sheepshead, weakfish, bluefish and even a 50-pound tarpon, all on Wacky Jigs tipped with live sand fleas or shrimp.  The photo above is of Derick who broke in my new 3000 Diawa Saltist Bayarea rod and reel combo on a number of different species including a tarpon in the 50-pound range.

Inshore on the Mosquito Lagoon:

On the Lagoon, the sea trout bite has been excellent with trout taking top water plugs early during low light and site fishing them once the suns overhead on small soft plastics.  The black drum are still schooling in the deeper channels and along the deeper edges of sandbars and we have been catching them on live shrimp.

St Johns River Freshwater:

As expected the American and hickory shad have started to arrive and the crappie fishing has been good as well.  I haven’t had a chance to target shad this season due to client request for saltwater charters, but I have several freshwater trips booked in the next week, so more details to follow.

In closing, if you live here in Central Florida or plan to visit our area soon, you need to take advantage of the great weather and fishing we are currently experiencing before that north wind blows in.

Good luck and good fishing and Merry Christmas,

Captain Tom Van Horn