The past few weeks we have had a change in weather patterns. Winds are shifting from their winter north directions to a south-southeast direction. Temps are coming up in the air as well with water temps rising too. Water levels have dramatically come up the past weeks. It always seems that this is an over night thing here on the Mosquito Lagoon. It happens so quickly. With the water coming up the fishing patterns have changed a bit. You can feel spring/summer in the air approaching. Very nice!
Water rising on the Mosquito Lagoon means more feeding grounds for fish. Not only more feeding grounds but new feeding grounds. Areas where there was just a little bit of water two weeks ago now has enough water for redfish, trout and bait fish to roam into and explore.
The water has also turned a bit stained too. This is from the winds shifting and the new grounds it is covering mixing the sand/dirt up some. With this being said the past week or two live mullet have been a great bait of choice. Fish areas that have nice white sand holes and grass beds along edges or banks that lead to safe waters for the fish to get to. Stay in the "red" zone of two feet or less with your mullet. Going into areas stealthy(poling) where you could not get to weeks ago will produce reds and trout feeding aggressively in these new grounds. A properly placed live shrimp for tailing fish will get a day started off on the right foot. Sight fishing at its very best.
The trout bite has turned up a bit. Several nice trout are being landed with top water and Gulps. Some very large trout are being caught with live mullet. Please try to handle these fish with extreme care. I try to release every trout I get over 20 inches or so to make sure there are trout to be caught for the future. Work the new areas with either a Skitter Walk or Chug Bugs or the live mullet free lined. Black drum are being seen, caught and landed within the entire Mosquito Lagoon. Most of the fish are in the 3-7lb class. Live or dead shrimp and even gulps will work for these fish. However these fish are getting a tremendous amount of pressure and a large dose of patience is required to get to them.
I look forward to seeing you out there on the water.
Tight Lines!
Captain Drew Cavanaugh
Florida Inshore Fishing Charters
Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Guide
Oak Hill/Edgewater
352-223-7897
http://www.floridainshorefishingcharters.com/
