Michael Bales

Spring is just around the corner. Can you feel it? After this past winter, I am more than ready for a little more warmth and a whole lot less wind! The fishing here on Florida's Mosquito Lagoon has been up & down the past few weeks. The story remains the same, If you get out between the cold fronts, the fish are generally willing to eat when you can find them. Locating them can be the tricky part, its seems during this time of year, You're either on fish, OR looking for fish! Long sessions with the push pole exploring less than frequented areas can produce BIG rewards.

Redfish are holed up in some pretty skinny areas seeking warm bays with soft muddy bottom and the Black Drum continue to show in good numbers as well. Several large schools of blackies can be seen cruising the lagoons most days. The trout bite has been interesting also, the warmer days have recored some double digit catches of some nice trout up to 26". I have seen them in large schools this week, the fish are in good shape(and numbers) after the hard winter freezes we've experienced.

Most of my fishing has been in the North end trying to avoid the weather, but when the day's weather will allow, fishing has been great throughout the entire Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon fishery.

On Monday, John and his wife fished with me and did well for reds and trout fishing GULP and live shrimp. John also caught several NICE trout in the 20-24" range. Jim and five(5) students from UCF & FSU joined me on Tuesday for a multi-boat trip with a quite a few nice redfish landed. These guys were a great time on the boat and I look forward to fishing with them again! Nice Job Guys.

The fly-fishing continues to be consistent using small crab or shrimp imitations. Blind casting to sand spots in the wind produced a sweet 25" trout on a lime sea-ducer this week.

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 & Trout
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Indian River Redfish
Indian River Redfish

Nice North End Mosquito Lagoon Redfish!
Nice North End 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