Wind break

Redfish Series sight-casters need calm in Titusville

TITUSVILLE, Fla. – The Indian River-Mosquito Lagoon bay complex in Florida could be considered the redfish sight-casting capital of the world.

Indeed, there are a lot of other places to sight-cast for reds, but the Mosquito Lagoon area has a rich heritage of crystal-clear flats, small shallow-draft boats, push poles and poling platforms.

The one thing, however, that can put a damper on the Lagoon’s sight-casting notoriety is wind. And anglers fishing the Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series Eastern Division event in Titusville, Fla., this week have had their fair share of wind.

Since about last Friday, a strong northeast wind of some 10 to 20 mph has hampered redfish teams in Titusville, especially those wanting to sight-cast.

Thursday’s initial of competition dealt a tough blow, of sorts, to some of the top sight-fishing teams, including the Watts brothers, the Hueston brothers, and Andrew Bostick and Mark Sepe.

Teams that prevailed on day one caught their fish early in the first hour or two of calm before the stiff onshore flow began.

As the Redfish Series began Friday on day two, the wind gods were still snoozing, and once again the small window of calm, clear waters was apparent. But unfortunately for the Redfish Series teams, it’s not going to stay that way.

In fact, the forecasts for wind today are even worse than they were yesterday, with predictions for a northeast flow to build to 25 mph by afternoon.

This afternoon’s weigh-in will begin at 3:30 Eastern time at Sandpoint Park in Titusville.

Friday’s conditions

Sunrise: 7:26 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 68 degrees

Expected high temperature: 79 degrees

Water temperature: 60 to 65 degrees

Forecasted winds: ENE at 15 to 25 mph

Day’s outlook: warm and breezy