Michael Bales

The fishing on the Mosquito Lagoon these last few weeks has been good. If you get out between these winter time cold fronts, the redfish have been cooperating quite nicely. Florida's weather has continued to be some of the strangest I can remember, but large schools of Redfish have been found all over the Indian River system this month. Black Drum also continue to make their presence known tailing happily most days.

My last week of trips have been spent in the Edgewater and New Smyrna Beach backcountry. Driving North winds have not allowed for much fishing the vast open flats of the middle lagoon, whereas these areas in the North end offer some protection behind the expanse of mangroves islands and oyster bars. Schools of redfish will congregate in these areas throughout the winter seeking refuge from the cold.

Chuck from Garmin GPS in Missouri joined me for a few days of redfishing and caught several nice ones fishing with soft plastics such as GULP Alive crabs and the live shrimp. If you choose to fish plastics or any artificial for that matter this week, be sure to slow down your presentations in colder weather. Mark and Larry from Ocala also did well using these same tactics with schools of large redfish on Monday.

The fly fishing has been good also these past few weeks. Accurate presentations and smaller patterns will still be the most productive. The most productive fly of this week the Kwan and Dupree Spoon. Lionel from CT caught his first redfish on fly this week! Congrats and nice job. All fish caught were photographed and released to fight again!

Call Captain Mike Bales at 352-255-8175 to book your Mosquito Lagoon fishing charter!

Or, visit us on the web at http://www.hotfishcharters.com

Fish Species: redfish and Trout
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Florida Redfish
Florida Redfish

Mosquito Lagoon Redfish
Mosquito Lagoon Redfish


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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