Newsletter
Mosquito Lagoon Report 12/3/06
Central Florida Sight Fishing Charters
Last week brought the first significant cold front of the season to
east central Florida. Following the front, we had temperatures in
the 40's and gale force winds. This week we had above average
temperatures which reached into the 80's but no break from the high
winds. As a result, I have only fished three days in the last two
weeks. The weather has been less than pleasant but, on a positive
note, the fish have been plentiful and willing to eat. Holding the
boat in position and getting a good presentation can be a challenge
when you are fighting the wind.
Last week, Tim and Tom O'Brien joined me in the Mosquito Lagoon.
While waiting for the sun to get high and the clouds to clear, we
anchored and put out a few cut baits. Tom caught two reds and we
decided to make an attempt at sight fishing. Sighting the fish was
easy, casting a small lure to them into a 20 knot wind was not. Tim
was able to get a gold DOA jerk bait in front of a redfish despite
the wind.
We found a somewhat protected cove holding a few fish and the
brothers caught three more redfish before we called it a day.
Monday, I went to Mosquito Lagoon in search of some fish willing to
eat a fly. The day started off good with moderate winds and sun.
Within the first thirty minutes, I landed a 30" redfish and a 24"
trout all on a brown and copper #2 bendback. My good fortune was
short lived, however, as the wind and rain arrived my mid morning. I
sought shelter against a lee shore and found a few tailing fish.
This one was kind enough to allow me to get a picture before I
caught him.
I ended the day with four redfish and two trout on the fly and was
happy with that, considering the weather conditions.
Friday was more of the same, clouds and plenty of wind. With the
wind coming right down the middle of the Lagoon, there were few
places to hide from it. I picked the shore with the least amount of
wind and convinced seven reds to eat a black/gold DOA CAL 3" shad
tail rigged on a weighted worm hook.
The cooler water has brought an abundance of tailing redfish.
Although these fish are usually the most forgiving and will allow
you to get numerous shots, they can also be the most frustrating.
Often, they are so fixated on digging the prey out of the grass,
they are oblivious to your lure. Many anglers like to add a small
rattle to their bait to help get the attention of the fish. If you
don't have a rattle, cast past the fish and bring your bait within a
few inches of it's nose and let it drop. Wait until the fish comes
up out of the grass and give your lure or fly the slightest twitch.
You will usually be rewarded with an instant and aggressive strike.
Casting accuracy is much more important than the type of bait you
choose. To cast accurately when it is windy means you need to
practice when it is windy. A few minutes of casting practice per
week at home will bring huge rewards when you are on the water.
Capt. Chris Myers
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Article 2:
'Fly Fishing and Rod Building Fair at Renzetti's'
This fair has seminars and forums covering all aspects of fly
fishing. There will be fly casting instructions and
demonstration, fly-tying and rod-building seminars and even
discussions about different destinations. Among the legendary
anglers on hand giving one-on-one instruction will be Lefty Kreh,
Boby Clouser and Bob Popovics. There will also be vendor
displays to browse. The event is free and open to the public.
The "Fly Fishing and Rod Building Fair @ Renzetti's" is from 9
a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Renzetti's, 8800 Grissom Parkway,
Titusville. For more information go online to
renzetti.com or call (321)
267-7705.
Inshore fishing technique class Capt. Leo Hiles is
giving a seminar on locating and catching redfish and trout from
1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Coronado Civic Center in New Smyrna
Beach, 223 Flagler Ave. The class costs $15 per person and $5
for children ages 10 to 16. For reservations call (386) 345-2213
or (386) 689-3773. |