Redfish is the hot topic for this week in the Mosquito Lagoon and Northern Indian River. You can find schools of slot sized fish in the 2-3ft depths usually around flats that are holding finger mullet. Topwater lures, gold spoons and weedless jerkbaits have been working well for these fish, and if it's not too grassy try a 1/8 oz. jig head with a shad tail in windier conditions for more accuracy. Bigger fish have been found schooled up on the edges of flats in 3-4ft. Topwater lures have been triggering these fish to bite first thing in the morning, later in the day try jerkbaits in any baitfish pattern and if they don't react to any artificials, you can't go wrong with a live jumbo shrimp or a chunk of mullet or lady fish.
The trout bite still remains good in the Mosquito Lagoon, Indian and Banana Rivers. Make long casts with topwater lures or weedless jerkbaits around mullet pods or flats with sand holes mixed in and you should be in business. The bigger fish are usually in the shallows while the smaller schoolies can be caught at the deep drop offs of most flats.
Fly fishing in the Mosquito Lagoon has been pretty good lately. Tailing reds can be found in the skinny waters and middle bars of the Lagoon early in the morning and late in the afternoons. Crab and shrimp patterns have been working well for me for the tailers but most importantly it's the presentation that catches the fish. You want the fly to land softy past the tail then slide it in position where the head of the fish is then let it fall. Once you see the tail go back down, make small bumps to get the fishes attention. For cruising or schooled up fish, try white clousers or any baitfish patterns.
Tarpon season is just around the corner for our area. They will be showing up in the lagoons, inlets, and off the beaches so dust off those tarpon rods, start tying tarpon flies and sharpen those hooks!
Good Luck out there, be safe, and go catch em'!
-Capt. Willy Le
www.NativeFlyCharters.com
Captain Willy Le
Professional Fishing Guide
Native Fly Charters, LLC.
Cocoa Beach, Florida
(321)303-7805
www.nativeflycharters.com