Winter Time On The Lagoon
Fishing the back country of Mosquito Lagoon will remain on fire with cold fronts sliding through the state on a more regular basis. Redfish will bunch up in sand sloughs throughout the northern end's maze of twisting creeks, cuts and shallow bays. Be very careful with low water levels running this area or you could very well beach your boat on a sand bar or even worse, an oyster bar. I highly recommend hiring a guide for a trip or two if you are new to the area to get some understanding of Mosquito Lagoon. Target these sandy areas for schooled up reds eating a variety of live baits and most artificials. The number one goal for any angler this time of year is to SLOW down your presentation. Fishing soft plastics bounced along the bottom should produce great results. As for live baits, nothing will work better than a tail bitten' off live shrimp. Take off the fan part to give the shrimp more scent and prevent him from spinning in circles while being reeled in. In the shallows even tossing a "topwater" shrimp will get fish chasing your bait to the boat. If you have a red or trout bee-lining towards your shrimp while reeling it in simply drop it and chances are you'll hook up.
Black drum are in excellent numbers on the flats along with deeper sections of the ICW. Cut blue crabs, shrimp or clams will get the attention of these fighters of a fish. Most in the flats are averaging 5-10 pounds but there is a few schools of the big boys roaming in the 20 pound and up class.
Trout fishing is also on the most fishermans minds with our famous gator trout showing up in great numbers. These spooky trophy fish will be laying all over the Lagoon, but handle these big females with care for a quick photo and release. They are the future to our fishery and conservation is key. Try the areas where the water drops off quickly along grass flats or target deeper sand holes with tall grass around them. Smaller slot size trout are a givin in deeper water all over the place. A good ole' popping cork and a live shrimp will get you a mess of em'. 50 plus days are not uncommon.
Give me a shout for a trip of a lifetime and see why we are world famous!!
- Captain Jeff
Posted on 05 Jan 2009 by Captain Jeff
Reel Shallow Charters
Capt. Jeff Dorobiala
Mobile: 386-478-9555
3110 Travelers Palm Dr
Edgewater, Fl 32141
http://www.reelshallowcharters.net/
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