Nearly every week, many times more than once, I find myself in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Brevard County.
Either by boat, kayak or foot, the search for redfish, trout, tarpon, black drum and snook goes on here in the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon. I travel throughout the refuge, searching for new places, ones have seen the least amount of human traffic.
A kayak and my off-road bicycle allow me to get to many places most can’t. You can often find me in the southern most part of the Mosquito Lagoon, with the NASA launch pads within sight. I travel down Bio-Lab Road and Peacock’s Pocket. The bicycle is necessary to travel L-Pond Road and Patillo Creek, roads that have been closed for several year. Playalinda Beach is in the refuge and has plenty to offer if the fishing is slow on the flats. Watching the sunrise over almost anywhere within the refuge is an added bonus.
Sports staff member Mark Blythe writes about fishing for the Orlando Sentinel. He reluctantly shared one of his favorite fishing spots, allowing others to enjoy an area he hopes remains unblemished by heavy traffic.
