Orlando Fishing Guide - Capt Chris Myers - Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report February 9, 2007

Orlando Fishing Guide Capt. Chris Myers - Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report

February 9, 2007

The past two weeks have brought some cold north winds to east central Florida dropping both the
water temperature and level. The extreme low water has many of the areas we had been fishing high
and dry, Water temps are hovering in the mid 50's and the wind has been a factor on several recent
trips. Despite the conditions, the fishing has been quite good.

Last week, Capt Tom Van Horn and I fished the Mosquito Lagoon on a cold and cloudy day. The
overnight low was 37 degrees dropping the water to 48. We saw redfish chasing small minnows on an
extremely shallow flat and both Capt. Tom and I hooked up with several redfish using soft plastic crabs
and shrimp. Tom took over poling duties while I got out the flyrod and a few minutes later I landed a nice
trout on a green deer hair slider.

We moved to another location and found a school of black drum. Tom caught one on a soft plastic
shrimp and I landed one on a crab fly.

Last Friday, Richard from Wales joined me for a late afternoon trip in Mosquito Lagoon. We tried to find
the black drum but were unsuccessful. Wind and clouds made the sight fishing difficult but our second
stop held a few redfish, Rich did not hook up with the reds but caught a few trout using a gold DOA CAL
that were holding in shallow sand holes.

Saturday, Jesse from Orlando decided to brave the cold and high winds which were forecast. Despite
the weather, he was able to land two nice redfish with a gold DOA CAL tail. Just as we came upon
several schools of reds crashing small baits, lightning forced us off the water.

Tuesday, I fished with John from Colorado. It was windy and cold but the fish didn't seem to mind. John
landed seven redfish and one trout.

Wednesday, Jay and Blair, on vacation from New York, took their first trip to Mosquito Lagoon. We
began the morning by fishing several schools of large reds and black drum. Although we had little
problem finding the fish, they did not seem to be in the mood to eat. We gave up on those fish and went
in search of some easier targets. We saw redfish on the shallow flats throughout the morning but they
were extremely spooky. The father and son team gave it their best but the fish were not making it easy
for first time sight casters and we landed none. I stayed on the water after dropping them off and was
able to find a school of large reds sunning themselves in a sand hole. I was able to pull one 38" fish out
of the school before heading for home.

Thursday, I fished the Indian River on a beautiful winter day. My second cast with a black and silver
DOA Baitbuster was crushed by a 40" redfish. After landing that fish, I threw several flies, lures, and
even fresh crab to them but had no other bites. Unfortunately, my attempt at a self portrait did not work
out as well as I had planned but you get the idea.

In addition to the flats, I have made several trips to the St. John's River during the past two weeks
looking for shad. Although I have not gone fishless, the shad run has not turned on quite yet. The shad I
have caught have been on small chartreuse jigs or flies. These same lures have also been taking bass,
bluegill, speckled perch, and assorted bream. Reports indicate the shad are there one day and gone
the next. Hopefully, it will turn on soon.

The next two weekends, I will be at the Spring Classic at Bass Pro Shop in Orlando demonstrating DOA
products and manning the Coastal Angler Magazine booth. On Thursday the 15th, I will be giving a
seminar at Boaters World in Altamonte Springs at 6:30 pm on Fishing the Mosquito Lagoon.