[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he water is looking great in the Mosquito Lagoon. The low water levels have had the fish schooled up nicely. Big reds can be had, you’ll need to put the time, but if you get on them, it’ll be memorable. Dawn patrol is the name of the game this time of year. Get out early before the sunrise and the lagoon will already be alive with redfish and sea trout with rafts of mullet getting struck by the predators.
Toss a jerk bait or top-water lure into the mullet pods and use a casual retrieve to find the redfish or sea trout that are swimming with the mullet.
Sand bars and marsh island drop-offs only a couple of feet deep are the place to cast your live pinfish and pig fish. Redfish and slot-sized sea trout with plenty of them going over 20 inches are stacked up in some areas.
If you’re going to use live shrimp make sure you cast directly to redfish or it will get devoured by the trash fish. Large shrimp work great on the tailing reds and cast well when tail hooked. Smaller shrimp placed under a popping cork provides great fun for kids who just want to get hooked up. Quietly poling the shallows while the surface is still glass can get you in range of tailing redfish. Along with the tailing reds you just may see a large “gator” trout fin pop up. Stealth and long casts can you a hit from these finicky eaters.
Delicious Mangrove snappers are in the river and along the Intra Coastal Waterway. Find a fishing hole on your chart and drop a bait. Best bait advice from the “mangrove regulars” is a live pinfish or finger mullet. If your a fly rod fan, a 7 or 8wt. rod with a # 4 Borski Slider is the best thing since sliced bread.
Capt. Brian Clancy Mosquito Lagoon Fish Camp Waterfront Accommodations and Fishing Charters 311 River Road, Oak Hill, Fl 32759 Cell, text and voicemail 386) 566-6303 Email bclancy1@cfl.rr.com Visit Website www.mosquitolagoonfishcamp.com Visit Facebook www.facebook.com/mosquitolagoonfishcamp
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