Wade Fishing On Florida's East Coast
Florida's Space Coast boast some of the best inshore fishing in the world and it's lagoons including the Banana River Lagoon, Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon are great places to fish, swim and generally enjoy yourself when your visiting the Brevard County and East Central Florida area.
My husband Captain Richard got me into wade fishing before we got married and often took my brother John out when he was just a young boy. Captain Richard often takes me wade fishing when it's warm and the waters are calm and clear. It's probably wise to wear a pair of wading shoes or boots because you can cut your feet, but for the most part the bottom is sandy and slightly mushy in some areas and the only thing you have to worry about is the occassional crab and stingray.
Wading with crabs is kindof like walking in a landmine field but the only thing that's gonna happen is you'll get your toe(s) pinched and do some quick jumping. Stingrays are easily avoided as you just move slowly and shuffle your feet, we call that the stingray shuffle. With that said, it's a walk in the park and great way to get a tan while catching dinner.
I have a seven foot St. Croix fishing rod with eight pound test and a shimano reel that I'm getting pretty good at casting. We typically use artificial lures when wading, but sometimes I'll pull a few bait buckets with shrimp or other live bait tied to my side.
Kayak or Canoe Fishing is Fun Too!
Many years before the no-motor zone was closed, Richard and I always enjoyed getting in our canoe, paddling up for the day to fish the unspoiled red fish, black drum and trout. Crystal clear water, bright skys. and a slick as glass river makes for the most perfect day of fishing here. Now that times have changed we are once again able to return to this beautiful area. Keeping our eyes on the weather and conditions that makes canoeing and fishing just right is where my attention focuses during the months of January and February. Once I see that the winds are below 5 mph, we know it's our chance to get the canoe and fishing gear together for a perfect day.
As we swiftly paddle across the lagoon, I love to glaze into the clear water for horseshoe crabs, stingrays, and the sea grass flowing beneath. This particular day we crossed by a twelve foot gator seeing every little detail on him so perfectly. At a distance on the islands we could make out some sort of large, dark object. Approaching closer we realized there were at least four gators up on their feet ready to make a splash into the water. Amazing how large these gators are, looking like some pre-historic creature.
Enjoying the wildlife along with catching our limit in reds and trout turned to be a spectacular day. Not only is the fishing awesome but we also love the exercise from paddling for the day, getting a great tan in the winter, and just spending time together.
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