Mosquito Lagoon Florida - Fishing Report

[captmikebales]

Florida’s weather roller-coaster ride has continued here in on the space coast! Warm days of 65F followed by cold fronts at 30F! As I write this report it is a balmy 35F with the wind blowing in from the North at 10-15mph. When the weather will cooperate though, the fishing has been great! Schools of redfish, tailing reds, tailing and schooling black drum can be found all throughout the Indian River, Mosquito Lagoon and New Smyrna Beach backcountry.

On a my last few charters, the weather has pretty much dictated the bite. Tailing Redfish and Black Drum in the mornings when the wind is down, schooled up reds in sand holes in the mid-day sun. The trick this week was to locate baitfish. When we fished an area with limited bait, there were usually fewer fish to be found. Keep a watchful eye for bird activity in the warmer parts of the day, this is a good sign that bait is nearby, and also the Trout and Redfish.

For those fishing plastics this week, be sure to slow down your presentations. Work a Riptide shrimp or Gulp slowly over sandy areas or on the edges of sloughs and creek mouths. When the water temperature is low, fish will be less aggressive, so a slower retrieve is key. I tend to use brighter colors for low light situations such as chartreuse flake w/red tail or golden glow with the fire tail.

The fly fishing has been relatively good this week. Throughout the winter, smaller flies and accurate presentations will be the key. My most productive fly of the week by far was the Bruja Crab. Several fish were also caught on black crab flies with tan rubber legs tied with red or orange thread for a little bit of color.

Duane from Jackson Hole Wyoming joined my for two days and was able to finally land his first ever redfish! Dave also joined me from Melbourne and battled a difficult day of weather managing to score several black drum and a few redfish on light tackle. All fish were released to hopefully fight again!

Call Captain Mike Bales at 352-255-8175 to book your Mosquito Lagoon fishing charter!
Or, visit us on the web at www.hotfishcharters.com.

[jwm]

Thanks for the report Mike! I could use some of that weather up here in Canada, even 30F sounds nice right about now!

[captmikebales]

I'm glad you like the report (being new to the board), I'll try to post them every couple of weeks.

[cbiegel]

Now we just need some pictures!

[jwm]

Yes, pictures would make these perfect.

[Woody]

I've bought a new Float Fishing Rod to add to the collection and i'm going for a load of different Species this season so expect to be upgrading my gallery!...Ever since the 1st March, the sun has been out every day here so it looks like it wont be long now until i'm Fishing in that sunshine, bring it on!

[Clive]

Woody, I thought you had given up fishing after getting the most popular image on catchthefury.com

[Woody]

I think the only reason that picture is popular is because everyone clicks on it to laugh at my fat belly!...There should be some decent pics anyway this year (especially at the end when i've been to Australia, my cousin has a boat (if i can get over the Sea sickness!)