Tomoka Basin
About The Tomoka Basin
About Tomoka Basin, FL
Tomoka Basin is a saltwater bay in Volusia County. It is a 110 square miles basin of Tomoka River, where it meets the Halifax River. Those two rivers are part of the Intracoastal Waterway. Along with several tributaries of the Tomoka River, Tomoka Basin is a designated manatee sanctuary. There are also other nearly endangered species that live in the river and its basin like the wood stork, Atlantic salt marsh snake, and bald eagle. The Tomoka Basin watershed provided both people and animals with food and shelter since Native Americans lived there thousands of years ago. In the 1600s, the Spanish found Native Americans dwelling here, in a village called Nocororo.
There are a lot of exciting activities in the Tomoka State Park. Visitors can experience fishing, canoeing, kayaking, paddling, bicycling, boating, camping, geo seeking, hiking, picnicking, running, bird watching, and wildlife viewing. There are a hundred campsites in the park and people can stay overnight if they wish to. A half-mile trail awaits hikers where they will pass through Timucuan village site of Nocororo, a community of Native Americans who once dwelled along the Tomoka River. Year-round wildlife residents of the park include bobcat, tortoise, white-tailed deer and a variety of snakes. Migratory birds are seen during cooler months, escaping the cold season. The Ormond beach is also close to the Tomoka Basin, for people who love to swim.
Tomoka Basin Fishing Description
All About Fishing in Tomoka Basin, FL
Tomoka Basin is a popular fishing spot not only to Tomoka State Park-goers but also to anglers around the area. It is a healthy aquatic habitat for different fish species as two rivers meet in the basin. There is a boat ramp, a good spot where people can fly cast. Florida Marine Research Institute was able to identify 90 different species of fish in Tomoka River and the Basin. Among these are important game fish like sheepshead, spotted sea trout, common snook, red rum, black drum, flounder, jack, channel catfish, tarpon, and gar. Fish in the basin mostly eat crustaceans and smaller fish. As they become juveniles to adults, they eat bigger fish.
Anglers use motorboats when fishing in the Tomoka Basin for easy transport from the basin to the river and sometimes to Halifax River. This way, they can easily cover different areas in a small amount of time. Fly casting and using mirrolure works for snooks, and spinning rod with mirrolure works for bigger snook. Drift fishing is mostly used by more relaxed, patient and laid-back anglers. On rare occasions, tarpon, sometimes as heavy as 150 pounds, jump from the surface of the water. This is something anglers have to be watchful for. Finger mullet baits and live shrimps are the best bait used while baitcasting, free line fishing and using simple rod, reel, line and hook in Tomoka Basin.
Tomoka Basin Seasonal & Other Description
Fishing Seasonality
The coldest month in Tomoka Basin is reported to be January, where the average temperature is 47.1 degrees Fahrenheit and the hottest being in July, where the average temperature is 91 degrees Fahrenheit.
May is relatively hot for spring, where trout can mostly be found. During August, red drum, snook, and tarpon are the most popular game to catch. Although, anglers can fish the basin all year round.
Temperature and Optimal Seasons
Fishing Seasonality
The coldest month in Tomoka Basin is reported to be January, where the average temperature is 47.1 degrees Fahrenheit and the hottest being in July, where the average temperature is 91 degrees Fahrenheit.
May is relatively hot for spring, where trout can mostly be found. During August, red drum, snook, and tarpon are the most popular game to catch. Although, anglers can fish the basin all year round.
Tomoka Basin Fish Species
All About Fishing in Tomoka Basin, FL
Tomoka Basin is a popular fishing spot not only to Tomoka State Park-goers but also to anglers around the area. It is a healthy aquatic habitat for different fish species as two rivers meet in the basin. There is a boat ramp, a good spot where people can fly cast. Florida Marine Research Institute was able to identify 90 different species of fish in Tomoka River and the Basin. Among these are important game fish like sheepshead, spotted sea trout, common snook, red rum, black drum, flounder, jack, channel catfish, tarpon, and gar. Fish in the basin mostly eat crustaceans and smaller fish. As they become juveniles to adults, they eat bigger fish.
Anglers use motorboats when fishing in the Tomoka Basin for easy transport from the basin to the river and sometimes to Halifax River. This way, they can easily cover different areas in a small amount of time. Fly casting and using mirrolure works for snooks, and spinning rod with mirrolure works for bigger snook. Drift fishing is mostly used by more relaxed, patient and laid-back anglers. On rare occasions, tarpon, sometimes as heavy as 150 pounds, jump from the surface of the water. This is something anglers have to be watchful for. Finger mullet baits and live shrimps are the best bait used while baitcasting, free line fishing and using simple rod, reel, line and hook in Tomoka Basin.
