Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report December 31, 2011

Capt. Chris Myers. I specialize in sight fishing the flats for redfish,
This is an archived Mosquito Lagoon flats fishing report from
drum, and trout in central Florida. I offer half and full day fishing
trips for one or two anglers with light tackle and fly. Fishing is near
This is an archived Mosquito Lagoon flats fishing report from
Orlando, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, and New Smyrna Beach.
If you would like to book a charter or need more information, you
can contact me at 321-229-2848.

While the fishing has been quite good as we officially enter the
beginning of summer, the weather has been anything but. Another
subtropical system is currently engulfing the state bring more
clouds and rain, the enemy of the sight fisherman. It seems like
the past month has brought a higher than average amount of wind
and clouds to central Florida. Hopefully, we will return to a more
normal pattern soon.

When the weather has cooperated, the fishing has been quite
good. The water level in the Lagoon system is nearly one foot
higher than it usually is this time of year. This gives the fish more
places to roam and you are likely to find them in some unusual
and unexpected places. Fortunately, we have not experienced the
heavy algae bloom that invaded our waters last year. Most of the
flats are clear. When the sun is out, sight fishing is excellent.

On one of the nicer weather days, Jay and Marc joined me for an
outstanding day on the flats. Numerous redfish and trout were
landed on a variety of baits and flies including DOA Baitbusters
and CALs and some of Jay's secret baitfish pattern flies.

Last week, I made my annual trip to the DOA Outdoor Writers
Event in Stuart. On the first day, I fished with Homosassa Guide
and writer Capt. William Toney. We used the Holographic 1/4
ounce shrimp to catch a variety of trout, flounder, snapper,
lookdowns, jacks, and snook. The following day I fished with
Cheryl and Polly. We stayed around the St. Lucie Inlet hoping for
a giant snook. We found some huge fish hugging the bottom and
tied on some 1/4 jigheads with a 3 inch holographic paddle tail
CAL. Ceryl hooked up first but the huge fish cut through the 30lb
leader. A few minutes later, Polly stuck a 37 inch snook and
landed it using 10 pound braid. It was her largest snook to date.

Back in Mosquito Lagoon, I teamed up with Capt. Drew
Cavanaugh for a day of scouting and fun fishing. We found some
hungry redfish and had a blast watching them crush the Baitbuster
on the surface. Check out my Youtube page for a short video of a
topwater redfish bite. I also hooked several large fish using the
BFL 5.5 lure.

On my charter the following day, the conditions were not quite as
good and sight fishing was difficult. George managed to land
several nice trout and a half dozen redfish casting a 5.5 inch CAL
with a Woodies Rattle in areas where the fish were holding.

Despite a forecast of clouds and high winds, David elected to
keep his charter date for Thursday. It turned out to be an excellent
decision. The morning started out clear and calm. We started off
looking for tarpon. There were none to be found. The redfish,
however, were happy to play. David landed three reds over 34
inches on the Baitbuster before the clouds moved in and we lost
our visibility.

The rest of the morning was spent blind casting which produced
several more redfish and a nice trout.

Yesterday's trip, along with next Monday's had to be rescheduled
due to bad weather. When this current system passes through,
look for the steady redfish and trout action to continue. With the
high water, many of the flats are too deep to see tailing fish. The
high water is allowing fish to get close to the shore and into the
back bays and coves which are usually too shallow for both boats
and fish during the summer. Finding the redfish can take some
time and effort on some days. The easiest fishing can be had on
the deeper edges of the flats around mullet schools. Topwater
baits, as well as jigs with soft plastics can produce some fast
action for trout and ladyfish. Pinching off the barbs will make it
easier on the fish and the person doing the dehooking. Fly anglers
can use weighted flies such as a clouser minnow pattern in the
same areas.