Michael Bales

Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report December 12th, 2009

Blustery fall conditions have dominated our weather patterns here on the Mosquito Lagoon this week. The wind & rain has finally, hopefully moved off!! The temperatures have ranged from the 50s to near 80's, and the water levels are DROPPING! All this being said it looks like a great fishing week or so to come! Look for all of the lagoon species to be active with this weather break..Time to get out there..

On the days that I was able to fish, schools of redfish were found in several of their early winter haunts, also some days cruising reds along the banks crashing bait made for some explosive takes! If you see redfish crashing bait along the shorelines, try a small presentation such as a Riptide Realistic Shrimp on light tackle or a deceiver fly pattern for the fly-rodder, and hold on!

Topwater lures such as the saltwater chug bug will continue to produce this time of year early in the mornings and under grey skies.(Which we had a lot of this week). Quite a few nice trout were caught this week on surface lures. Other producers this week include the old reliable live shrimp and live mullet.

The fly fishing has been spotty at best this week. Sticking with the fly rod on those days when the wind is up can improve your casting. Keep this in mind and blind cast to likely fish holding ares, make a few quick strips, if nothing is interested pick up and find another spot for your next presentation. An effective pattern for this technique is a sparesly tied clouser or streamer. I like the brighter colors in off-colored water(such as lime or chartreuse), while sticking with more natural colors in the cleaner water areas.

The Mosquito Lagoon and North Indian River should continue to swing into winter mode and the reds will continue to focus their attention on the bottom. This should make for some excellent tailing action in the weeks to come. It is absolutely the best time of the year to sight-fish for redfish!

Call Captain Mike at 352-255-8175 or visit us on the web at www.hotfishcharters.com to book your Mosquito Lagoon fishing trip! Happy Holidays!

Tight lines, I hope to see you out on the water soon!

Fish Species: Redfish and Trout
Bait Used:
Tackle Used:
Method Used:
Water Depth: Shallow (less than 2 ft.)
Water Temperature:
Wind Direction:
Wind Speed:
Fly Red (I actually got to fish!)
Fly Red (I actually got to fish!)

Another Nice Fly-caught redfish!
Another Nice Fly-caught redfish!


Do you want to leave a comment? Login or register now to leave a comment.


No comments so far

Michael Bales

About The Author: Captain Michael Bales

Company: HotFish Charters

Area Reporting: Charleston South Carolina

Bio: Native Floridian Capt Michael Bales has been fishing for over 25 years and full time professionally guiding for 10.I have been lucky enough to have fished and guided waters all over the world to include AK, the Rocky Mountain west, TN, NC, GA, and FL! Even a brief period as a Taimen and Trout guide while living in Europe! While not guiding in Alaska, you can find Capt Mike silently poling the waters of Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River Lagoon and the Canveral National seashore looking for Redfish or perhaps on the pristine flats of Homosassa in search of Tarpon. Having been an Alaska Professional Guide for 5 years guiding for all five species of Pacific Salmon, Steelhead, World-Class Rainbow trout and Halibut on Shelikopf straits in Cook Inlet. He has experience operating jet boats, float rafts and drift boats in remote coastal rivers of Alaska, as well as offshore boats and inshore boats in Florida.

352.255.8175
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain Michael Bales