Fishing in the Mosquito Lagoon the past several weeks has seemed more like fall or spring than late December and early January. High water levels combined with above normal temperatures have the fish confused. Many of the redfish are still schooled up, however, but it can sometimes take a bit of searching to find them. The big seatrout that can be found in the shallow sand holes during a normal winter, have been more spread out and harder to find. All recent trips have produced fish but not in huge numbers.
For the fly anglers, we are still finding tailing redfish in the very shallow flats despite the warm water. On a recent trip, Kyle from Canada caught his first ever saltwater fish on a fly using a #4 brown and gold bendback and a 5wt rod.
Brett and Pete from Maryland fished with me in the Mosquito Lagoon and caught several reds using both cut bait and a gold DOA CAL tail.
Maruice from Miami had several black drum shake the hook before he was able to land this one from a school of over 100 fish.
This week, John and his son Mark fooled a few fish using 4" DOA CAL tails while fishing a wind protected shoreline in Mosquito Lagoon.
Mike from Orlando caught this tailing redfish and a few others on his first sight fishing trip.
Monday, a cold front blew through causing a significant drop in both temperature and water levels. Temperatures are predicted to rise into the 80's by the end of the week, however. The above average temperatures have brought a variety of bait onto the flats. Not all of the flats are holding bait but if you see the mullet and pinfish, the reds and trout are nearby. Cover a lot of water until you start to see fish, then slow down and work that area thoroughly as the fish have been concentrated.
Capt. Chris Myers
Central Florida Sight Fishing Charters
http://www.floridafishinglessons.com
