Orlando area fishing in early March ???

[SamRiley]

Well the planets have aligned and I am going to be able to attend a trade show in Orlando, FL the first week in March. I am seriously considering driving down from Boston instead of flying so that I can bring my kayak, waders and fly rods for a little pre and post show fishing. Question is, what's biting that time of year and is it even worth it? I have relatives to catch up with along the way so I don't mind the drive but if the fishing is generally poor, I'd just as soon fly.

Thanks in advance,
Sam

[Slamdance]

Sam: you should have a good shot at some redfish if you head over to the Indian River Lagoon near Titusville. It's about a 45 minute drive from Orlando. With a Kayak you could fish up in side the No-motor Zone by the Space Center and that's probably what I'd suggest.

[kayakninja]

I made that trip this past March. It was a long drive from Boston to Orlando. It was my longest and worth while trip with my yak on top. I was down there for the 2nd leg of a yakfishing tournament. I only stayed in Orlando for the Captains meeting and then booked a room at the Randolph inn and making it back for the weigh in on Saturday. If you mention you are a fisherman to the kind folk at the Inn in Titusville they will discount! I had a blast down there. About a 1/2 hour drive to Mosiquito lagoon from the Inn. About 5 minutes away were Chris and Fritz over at the FLY Fisherman shop and those guys pointed me where to go. When the winds kicked up there are areas where you can go to find protection. It was nice to get away from the hustle and bustle in Orlando to stay in Titusvillve. The bite was not strong the entire time during the week long stay. I bought a fishing map and explored. I covered areas from Peacocks Pocket on the Indian River all the way up to Georges Bar in the Mosquito river. It was awesome standing and casting to Reds and Trout while moving down the lagoon. An experience I will never forget. It was new to me to fish in 1/2-4 feet of water and watching Redfish tail as they were digging for food. I was new to fly fishing and it was tough to lay into the cruising reds and land them. I did very well on light spinning gear and the D.O.A. Shrimp. The water temp was not realy warm and most of the big reds where down deep. You can find yakfishing partners on several yak fishing forums around the net. Email me and I will give you the link. I know a few guys who yakfish that used to live in the New England area that I can put you in contact with. Bring a camera and have a ball.

Hazards: I saw one gator when I was there. Most where in the swamp area and some in the mangroves. I took the advice of stay in the boat in certain areas. When I did get out to wade, I would shuffle my feet along to stir up sand and spooked some big rays that I would have never of seen and probally stepped on. That would have been a trip to the hospital for sure.

Other areas I visted were Skyles Creek heading to Cape Canavaral. Skyles is a known area for big snook but me and another fellow could not locate. It was right after the Sea Ray dealer. Launching was easy from there and parked road side. I had a school of dolphins come around the yak in there and I saw one small tarpon just cruising along. I also did the Bananna River and found Reds in very shallow water on a hot and sunny day.