If Sight Fishing in the Shallow water is your idea of the ultimate adventure, Mosquito Lagoon has been simply great for the past few weeks and continues to get better by the day.This time of year, passing cold fronts swing through Florida on a routine basis, bringing blustery northeasterly winds, higher barometric pressure, and cooler temperatures with them. These shifting conditions complicate angling by kicking up the seas, reducing water clarity in some locations, and dropping water temperatures. When the front passes, anglers are enjoying some great times on the water.
Catches of Slot sized and overslot sized Redfish have been consistant. The weather has played a factor on several days but usually is only bad for a day or so. Afterwards we are finding schools of fish in the shallow water flats with rich bottom. The Riptide Shrimp 199 Natural / Chart. Tail and 202 Rootbeer / Chart. Tail, have been turning the heads of quite a few fish. These lures rigged weedless will land softly and can be worked in the grass. During the overcast days the most effective lure has been Capt Mike Hakala's Spoon, as a matter of fact it has accounted for most of the overslot fish taken aboard my boat the past week.
The Trout are roaming the flats as well but are sometimes a bit more hard to find after boat traffic is in the area. Getting out early and working topwater lures is paying off on most mornings. As the day moves on we are moving to deeper water and picking them up on 1/8 OZ Jigs rigged with the Riptide Mullet in 3 " 208 Anchovy and M7 Hot Watermelon / Red Tail are putting their share of fish in the boat. Most of the fish are 12-20 inches with an occasional 24 inch fish mixed in. In the North Mosquito Lagoon Larger females are bunched up in deeper holes and are shadowing small schools of mullet looking for an easy meal. Presentation is the key with these fish as they will run right out of the areas after you get there if they are wise to you. Take a look at the photo Gallery a few pictures of what you are missing!

Capt Pat Murphy
www.mosquitolagoonguides.com