Michael Bales

The fishing on the Mosquito Lagoon these past few weeks has been nothing short of fantastic!! What more can I say? A sight-fishing paradise with schools of huge tailing redfish and large schools of the elusive black drum sharing the same flat. All have been happily eating a well placed fly or lure. The last few trips have been spent stalking tailing fish with light tackle spinning gear and fly rods. The big key to success has been a Stealthy, Patient & quiet approach with an accurate presentation. Casting accuracy remains paramount in these scenarios. An errant or off-target cast may result in a blown school of tailing fish. This will make the rapid heart rate of anticipation drop to a low murmur...Fish have been caught using a variety of offerings to include Live Shrimp, DOA shrimp, Gulp crabs, live blue crabs and of course the fly!

The fly rod can be the weapon of choice on these pods of tailing redfish using small offerings and accurate presentations. For the fly-fisherman, try using Kwans, Crabs, and Merkins for tailing redfish or black drum. A well placed dupree spoon should also do the trick for roving pods of big redfish. A sea-ducer or Deep Clouser pattern should work well probing the depths and sand holes for trout.

The trout bite has been heating up also and the warmer days have them feeding heavily on Live shrimp & Gulp in 3-5 feet of water. If you locate one trout, generally there are more around this time of year. As the water temperatures keep climbing, the trout bite will continue to improve. Several Nice trout have been caught this week using topwater plugs like the Saltwater chug bug or a skitter pop early in the pre-sunrise hour. Please remember to practice catch and release on these fish when possible. Handle trout gently and release them quickly back in to the water for another angler's future enjoyment.

Larry & Brian from Colorado, Joe & Nick from Lakeland, Patrick & Brad from Jacksonville as well as Don and his family from South Florida all fished this past few weeks and did well for reds, black drum and trout. All were a pleasure tho fish with and I look forward to seeing them again out on the water in the future. Some of their photos are include with this report, I hope you enjoy them.

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, Black Drum & Trout
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Mosquito Lagoon Redfish
Mosquito Lagoon Redfish

Shallow water Black Drum on the flats
Shallow water Black Drum on the flats


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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