This week we experienced record cold temperatures in Central Florida. Water temperatures in Mosquito Lagoon plummeted 15 degrees. Fortunately, the fish did not seem to mind the cold as much as I did and were feeding happily throughout the day. Water levels have been fluctuating over the last two weeks with the best days of fishing coming on the days with the lowest water.
On the 17th, Capt. Ron Presley and I teamed up on Mosquito Lagoon hoping to get the last few photos needed for his upcoming book. We started off throwing topwater and withing a few minutes, Capt. Ron landed a redfish and I followed with a nice trout. We had a few more blowups before the action died. With the sun up, we went in search of black drum. We each caught a few with Ron landing a nice fish around 20 pounds.
We ended the day fishing some deeper water along the edge of flat. Trout and large ladyfish were keeping us entertained when suddenly the water began to erupt into a white froth. Hundreds of jack crevalle we attacking the schools of mullet. After catching a few, I got out the 5wt flyrod and we set up ahead of the fast moving school. On my first cast my fly was grabbed the instant it touched the water and the fish took off. After the fly line smoked my finger for several seconds the hook pulled out. On my next attempt, the hook stayed and the jack offered a great fight on the light tackle.
Last Tuesday, A large trout on topwater, a black drum on fly, and a handful of redfish on four inch DOA CALs were willing to cooperate. Arkansas Glow was the most productive color.
The following day, Dave from Washington state joined me hoping to fly fish the Mosquito Lagoon. The wind was a bit too much for Dave to overcome with the flyrod but he had consistent shots at redfish throughout the day with spinning gear.
This Monday, I fished the Lagoon ahead of the cold front. The water was high and the fish were spread out. A large seatrout was willing to eat an olive clauser minnow fly and DOA Cals in Arkansas Glow and Stark Naked were willingly eaten by several redfish.
Yesterday, Steve from Tennessee had a great day of fly fishing. We decided on a late start to avoid the 40 degree morning temperatures. We began seeing redfish immediately. Using a bendback fly, Steve landed redfish on 27 and 29 inches and had several more bites and quite a few follows.
Despite a steady breeze throughout the day, Steve stuck with the fly and was able to hook two black drum on an olive clauser landing one.
Fortunately, temperatures are predicted to return to normal for the next two weeks. If the water levels continue to drop, the fishing will get even better. Big trout are beginning to appear in shallow sand holes with more frequency and the redfish are starting to school. With clean water and sunny skies, the sight fishing will be outstanding.
Tip of the Week - Reel Care
Saltwater is hard on the equipment. Fail to care for your reels and corrosion will quickly set in. At the end of each fishing day, take care to clean your reels and they will last a long time. Spraying your reels with a hose will wash the salt of the exterior but will drive it deeper into cracks and crevices where it will cause unseen damage. I prefer to take a towel and soak it with fresh water and wipe the reels down at the end of each day. Periodically, add a few drops of oil to the roller bearing, handle, and other moving parts. Keep a cover on your reel while transporting it will prevent scratching the finish and keep out salt spray.
Capt. Chris Myers
Central Florida Sight Fishing Charters
http://www.floridafishinglessons.com/
321-229-2848
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