Cold Weather Mosquito Lagoon Fishing

[Capt. Drew Cavanaugh/Florida Inshore Fishing Charters]

Capt. Drew Cavanaugh
January 20, 2009
Mosquito Lagoon - Report

With the recent snaps of cold fronts that central Florida has been having the fishing has snapped too. It has snapped into a good thing, winter red fishing on the Mosquito Lagoon is here! By this I mean it is changing and you too should change your tactics. A sunrise start is not always the ticket.

When cold weather moves into the area the fishing on the lagoon tends to change a bit, for the good and even sometimes the GREAT! The fish will bunch up into large schools and will move into the shallow warming waters of the flats throughout the day. Remember the key with this are that fish are not mammals...they are cold blooded animals that will adjust to their surroundings. They need to warm up and then get active.

As the days warm up, the fishing will pick up. Take your time when fishing colder days. Fish tend to be a bit more sluggish. Let them see your bait, let them think the bait is slow or worn down, a free meal. You almost can not work it slow enough. Sight fishing is always my favorite choice but working white holes and bars can produce very good numbers of fish too. Throw shrimp or plastics into the holes and work areas thoroughly but slowly. Adapt to the days surroundings. Remember sun rise will warm western banks up first and as the day progresses it will warm eastern banks.

Redfish have been seen and caught in good numbers on the flats using live shrimp. Schooling reds are what I personally have been seeing. Some schools I have hooked into have had over 200 fish in them, and even more, these are just what I have been able to see. Along with a few singles here and there tailing and feeding happily. However, the exciting thing are the amount of trout I have been seeing. Gator Trout if that.

The other day we were poling a flat edge that went from about 10 inches to about 18 inches along an area of about four football fields in size. On the out side of this area it is about 2-3 feet deep.(A drop off ledge nearby) We saw over 30 plus trout in this area. I know you are saying wow....30, not that many! Well these trout looked to me to be each over 30 plus inches with some that looked like a yard sticks. The unique thing was that they were moving along with finger mullet along the edges of this flat. Just back and forth. There must have been at least 10,000 mullet in that particular area. This is what I would call a food source for these trout. Or I like to call them "The Special Forces" of the Mosquito Lagoon. Now mixed in with these fish were several single medium slot reds and a bunch of lower slot trout. The key with attempting to land a true gator trout out there is big time patience and just keep trying. Just do not give up. Again, soft plastics or live shrimp work very well in this situation.

I look forward to seeing you all on the water this year. Again I want to wish every one a happy and productive new year.

Tight Lines and Happy Fishing!
Captain Drew Cavanaugh

Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Guide
352-223-7897

[Capt. Drew Cavanaugh/Florida Inshore Fishing Charters]

August 7th, 2009

Well you can most definitely tell it is summer time here in central Florida. The weather is extremely hot and the fishing has been hot right along with it. The past few weeks have brought water levels to very low levels here on the Mosquito Lagoon. Some areas are at winter lows and with this it is pushing fish into confined spaces. Confined spaces makes for great to awesome fishing at times. This makes for a whole lot of pressure as well, not just for the fish but for the angler too. As always with low water be careful on your navigation here. It is very easy to stray off course and not just cause harm to yourself or your boat but to the grass flats as well.

Redfish have been a major target at day break for my clients along with myself. Tailing fish can be seen at first light in very shallow water in thick grass lines. Feeding aggressively on all types of bait. Almost surreal looking at times how these fish like some of the warmest/hottest and shallowest of water there is to find. You would almost think to yourself that they would not like that - however they do - not just like it - THEY LOVE IT! A very cautious approach is required when targeting fish in the warmer summer months. They tend to be very alert and can hear every little noise in and out of the water. Even your conversations on the boat should be kept to a minimal level along with movement of yourself and your gear. I have been watching a few boats here lately move in on fish like a military special forces operation with trolling motors blazing away with multiple boats merging in on the same fish/schools regardless of who is around. Fish; not just redfish but all creatures underwater can hear the noise of a trolling motor on full speed cutting towards them from far distances. As I state most of the time if you start early(like the saying the early bird gets the worm), take your time and approach(Use Your Push Pole - this effort will pay off)these fish with turkey like caution and you will be able to sneak up on them. Trust me, it works. I too like to use my trolling motor as much as the next person but there are just times when a little extra effort is needed to aquire a good position to make a better cast...(It is nice to have it incase you need it rather than not to have one and really need it). This may mean poling to them or sometimes even stopping and they may come to you. Adjust your approach as they adjust there position. Have a good tactical plan for getting into position. Figure out which way they are going and the speed in which they appear to be moving. Reds are feeding on numerous baits at this point and time in the summer. A softly placed finger mullet will work as well will a nice shrimp(if you can get them in a decent size). DO NOT land on the fish, it must be away from them or they will spook. Soft plastics work as well too. I like using the Berkley Gulps myself. White is my color of choice in a shrimp pattern. Hooked just on a 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook...No weights usually. Slow retrieve will get their attention. You will get the bait fish nibblers but that is part of summer time life here on the Mosquito Lagoon. Also remember there is quite a bit of water out there...Show courtesy to your fellow anglers around you. If an area tends to be crowded there are most definitely other places to go within the lagoon. Explore new places...you never know what you may discover. Don't let yourself get frustrated.

The trout bite has been fairly steady as well. I like to target these fish using top water and/or soft plastics. There is nothing like the explosion of a sea trout busting that lure at day break! The bigger females have been moving throughout the flats and are usually onto you well before you are onto them. Sand holes surrounded by grass flats are perfect areas to target these fish. As always, please handle these fish with extra & extreme caution. They are the breeders and we need them for future fisheries. Handle all of your catch this way. Smaller schooling trout are still being caught along drop offs and grass beds mostly in 2-4 feet of water in areas along bars/grass flats. Shrimp like soft plastics or mullet imitations will be able to bring in good numbers and produce quality action. Along the deeper waters off the flats ladyfish are still busting baits left and right along with a few jacks. watch for the massive schools of mullet roaming. Might even see a few tarpons as well. These fish hit almost anything and are extremely fun to catch. Black drum are still in good numbers all over the entire lagoon system. It is hard sometimes to figure out what they want to eat though. Shrimp, clams, gulps, flies and even small crabs work at times and at other times it seems nothing works. Again approach these fish with great stealth...If you start chasing them with your trolling motor they will become so nervous they will most likely spread out and make it even harder for you to get to them. Use your trolling motor to make up huge distances in deeper water to where it can be worked safely and quietly. Then when you are say 300-500 feet from the fish you are targeting push towards them from your poling tower. This will help in your approach tactic allowing you not only to get on them without being heard but you being able to see them well in advance. Again casting to them and presentation is 90% of the battle. If you land on top of them they will become like that flock of ten thousand birds in the air; one turns - they all turn. Once this run-away train starts it is hard to get back with them and for them to stay calm. Get the bait in front of them then a slow lift presentation as they get to it will work...become that shrimp!

As always I look forward to seeing you all on the water. Have a safe and productive fishing trip.

Tight Lines and Bent Rods!
Captain Drew Cavanaugh
Florida Inshore Fishing Charters
Cell/352-223-7897
http://www.floridainshorefishingcharters.com/
Fish The World Famous Mosquito Lagoon - The Redfish Capital Of The World!
Light Tackle Fishing At Its Very Best!

[Capt. Drew Cavanaugh/Florida Inshore Fishing Charters]

July 18th, 2009- The World Famous Mosquito Lagoon!

Here in central Florida you can definitely tell that summer time is here. It is hot out, that's why. Cooking! The humidity has taken over for sure along with temps rising fast and the sun beating down hard upon you. Sunscreen is a must along with a ton of water on board. Days on the water are early, so back to the saying - "The Early Bird Gets The worm", or the redfish is what I like to say. It is nice to hit the water every now and then in the late afternoon hours of June/July and August but there is no way to predict the storms that we get here in Florida at this time of year. If you do go out late, be careful and have a game plan. So start early and you can have some very satisfied days in your pocket.

July this month has been a strange one with weather. Getting the west winds and even those northerly/west winds we had for a while there changed things up quite a bit. Along with the grass floating every where. Some days it has allowed for great to fantastic very early bites. There have been a handful of days where the action has turned on like a faucet at 10-11 A.M. The trout action has been great to throw top water plugs at them early on and then switch to soft jerk baits has the morning progresses. A Chug Bug or Skitter Walk properly placed along grass beds and drop offs will produce very decent strikes indeed. As the morning goes on move a bit deeper for trout. The really big ones will be roaming the skinny flats. Place it even better in front of some reds and they will crack that thing as they are up chasing the bait fish(that there is no shortage of). A for sure sight to see of a red hitting a top water. If you work your way down the sand bars along the deeper edges you will pick up the trout along with possibly a jack and ladyfish as well. With kids a popping cork and either shrimp or plastics on it will give a morning of fun for them. Use the cork in 3-5 foot of water.

On the flats the redfish bite has been strong early to mid morning. These fish are feeding aggressively on bait fish and crustaceans. Watch for tailing fish in extremely shallow water with some sort of escape access for them to a bit deeper water should they get frightened some how. Several baits are working for the redfish. A perfectly and softly placed shrimp is always a good choice but getting close enough to them for the cast can always be a challenge. So approach these fish with some caution. You can also use a nice live mud minnow, mullet, pinfish or if you have access to them a small "Live" blue crab(sends these fish into a stir for these things!). Of course there is always the cut ladyfish you can toss to them. Gulps are working very well also. Shrimp pattern flies with a well placed cast will produce a strike or two as well for you fly fishermen out there. Please just remember that in these warm/hot months to handle every fish gently. They use a bunch of their energy to get to the boat. Get them back in the water quickly and take your time in reviving them. Survival of these fish means future fisheries for you and me.

Black drum are still roaming the flats in fairly good numbers. However these fish are getting a ton of pressure. They become flighty quickly. Almost as if they are evolving. At times they are hitting a wide variety of baits from live shrimp to dead shrimp to Gulps to dark crab pattern flies. If you are able to get a hold of them, clams or oysters seem to be great right now. Keeping them on the hook is another story. Not just from throwing them off the hook but it seems the second they hit the water the bait fish are slaying them. You have to throw well in front of the drum - 10-15 feet, like a surface to air missile. So it meets them just right. If you land on top of them they will just spook. So again, timing is every thing. Smaller hooks and a gentle touch will produce for you.

I look forward to seeing all of you out there on the water.

Tight lines and bent rods!

Captain Drew Cavanaugh
Florida Inshore Fishing Charters

Cell/352-223-7897

www.floridainshorefishingcharters.com/
Fish The World Famous Mosquito Lagoon - The Redfish Capital Of The World!

[Capt. Drew Cavanaugh/Florida Inshore Fishing Charters]

The fishing the past week or so has been actually really good despite the high winds and low water. With low waters and steady even temps outside the fish have been on a regular pattern. Watch and learn these patterns and you can apply this to seek them out. With this you will become successful at landing them. Knowing is half the battle.

Redfish have been moving all over the Mosquito Lagoon. I have heard of reports of great catches on the north, south and middle portions. As well as awesome catches in the Indian River too. There are no one specific hot spots out there. The hot spot, as always over here, is the entire Mosquito Lagoon. Look for reds along flats with access to deeper water lines. The fish like an escape to say to deeper protective waters. However their nature is skinny. Some schools I have witnessed are as many as a couple of hundred redfish in them. I have also seen trailing behind these schools very large trout.

As the schools move you have to try and anticipate where and when they are going to move...Like a SAM. Surface to air missile but a shrimp to redfish mouth. I like to cast well in front of the fish and adjust the reel in to meet them. Land on top of them and they are gone. Once the school is spooked they are up and gone for the moment. Wait a bit and see what happens. It is best to use a push pole as for this will not spook the fish and will allow you are far much better approach on them in these winter waters. The trout I have noticed are following some of these schools and cleaning up the pieces and ambushing the bait fish in their wake. A few of the trout have been in the 5-7lb class.

Get along some nice banks, where water depths allow you,(remember the water levels are LOW)and you will pursue tailing reds and awesome trout. Look for signs of activity. Bait fish, birds feeding, light in the right position...etc. With the clear water approach them with extreme stealth. As always when going after reds...take your time. A precisely placed shrimp will get there attention. Gulps have been landing a few exceptionally nice reds and trout as well.

As the last of these fronts move in and out the fishing on the Mosquito Lagoon will take off on a spring ward then summer bound adventure. So look for the fishing to just keep getting better and better.

Tight Lines!

See You On The Water,

Captain Drew Cavanaugh
Florida Inshore Fishing Charters
http://www.floridainshorefishingcharters.com/
352-223-7897
Oak Hill/Edgewater-Florida

[Capt. Drew Cavanaugh/Florida Inshore Fishing Charters]

Well what can I say. The weather is actually starting to feel really nice again. It would be very nice to just freeze this in time. Oh well, that wont work. The fishing over the last several days have been great. I mean you really can not go wrong on the water.

The main key with this time of year is just to take your time and do not rush things. Search and destroy to say. Redfish are moving in BIG schools all over the lagoon. However the fish are getting very spooky when being approached. I am however seeing patterns and predicting where and when they are going...Like clock work.

The fish are moving off the deep water to the shallow waters as the sun comes up. Just the laws of their physical make-up. Keep your eye out for signs of them. Bait fish moving, birds feeding, water pushing, life and activity all around...all of these signs may be a "sign" of fish in the area. Read your surroundings. Take note of this and use it on a regular basis.

Live shrimp fished in front of the reds work best. Gulps in the white shrimp pattern have been producing great numbers too. When using the Gulps I like to work them very slow, I mean slow. I am working sand holes and grass lines. Put your bait on one side of a white hole and SLOWLY bring it across for all to see. Toss a frisky live shrimp to a redfish and let him see it and acknowledge it, give them some time to react. Trout are all over the same area - it seems to be they are "picking up " stragglers of bait as schools of redfish move through. A few trout have been in the 6-8 lb class...NICE! The Delta Force of the flats are what I like to call big trout.

Please do remember that the water levels are so low that it can be very dangerous at times. Not just to yourself but the grass flats as well. Just be aware of your surroundings on this note too. Be sure before you enter into unknown territory.

I look forward to seeing all of you on the water soon. Tight Lines...Have a great day out there!


Captain Drew - http://www.floridainshorefishingcharters.com/