The fishing on the Mosquito Lagoon these last few weeks has been good. If you get out between these winter time cold fronts, the redfish have been cooperating quite nicely. Florida’s weather has continued to be some of the strangest I can remember, but large schools of Redfish have been found all over the Indian River system this month. Black Drum also continue to make their presence known tailing happily most days.



My last week of trips have been spent in the Edgewater and New Smyrna Beach backcountry. Driving North winds have not allowed for much fishing the vast open flats of the middle lagoon, whereas these areas in the North end offer some protection behind the expanse of mangroves islands and oyster bars. Schools of redfish will congregate in these areas throughout the winter seeking refuge from the cold.

Chuck from Garmin GPS in Missouri joined me for a few days of redfishing and caught several nice ones fishing with soft plastics such as GULP Alive crabs and the live shrimp. If you choose to fish plastics or any artificial for that matter this week, be sure to slow down your presentations in colder weather. Mark and Larry from Ocala also did well using these same tactics with schools of large redfish on Monday.







The fly fishing has been good also these past few weeks. Accurate presentations and smaller patterns will still be the most productive. The most productive fly of the week was the Kwan or a Dupree Spoon. Lionel from CT caught his first redfish on fly this week! Congrats and nice job.



All fish caught were photographed and released to fight again!

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Florida’s weather roller-coaster ride has continued here on the space coast! Warm days of 65F followed by cold fronts at 30F! As I write this report, it is a balmy 35F with the wind blowing in from the North at 10-15 mph. On the days when the weather will cooperate though, the fishing has been great! Schools of redfish, tailing reds, tailing and schooling black drum can be found all throughout the Indian River, Mosquito Lagoon and New Smyrna Beach backcountry.




A nice Indian River Redfish

On my last couple of charters, the weather has pretty much dictated the bite. Tailing Redfish and Black Drum in the mornings when the wind is down, schooled up reds in sand holes in leeward areas in the mid-day sun. Poling into a bay and seeing large numbers of redfish milling about in a white sandy area is not that uncommon this time of year.



For those fishing plastics this week, be sure to slow down your presentations. Work a Riptide shrimp or Gulp slowly over sandy areas or on the edges of sloughs and creek mouths. When the water temperature is low, fish will be less aggressive, so a slower retrieve is key. I tend to use brighter colors for low light situations such as chartreuse flake w/red tail or golden glow with the fire tail.



The fly fishing has been relatively good this week. Throughout the winter, smaller flies and accurate presentations will still be the key. My most productive fly of the week by far was the Bruja Crab. Several fish were also caught on black crab flies with tan rubber legs tied with red or orange thread for a little bit of color.

Duane from Jackson Hole Wyoming joined my for two days and was able to finally land his first ever redfish! Dave also joined me from Melbourne and battled a difficult day of weather managing to score several tailing black drum and a few redfish on light tackle, as well as quite a few nice trout. All fish were released to hopefully fight again!

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What an Amazing few weeks of weather here in Florida! Record low temperatures have been upon us for the first two weeks of January and it has been down right FRIGID. I didn’t do much fishing but paid close attention to weather reports, being very concerned about all of Florida’s fisheries and the impact this weather would have on them. Snook in West Florida, Tarpon in the estuaries, Redfish in the lagoon? How would they survive? Some parts of our state were hit harder than others with varied reports of fisheries health from across the Region. The state even issued a special executive order on the Closures for Tarpon, Bonefish and Snook. Check the link below for more info.

http://myfwc.com/docs/Newsroom/EO_10_03_SnookTarponBonefish.pdf



This past week however, the Mosquito Lagoon weather has been beautiful. With the bright sunny skies and 60-70 degree weather and light to moderate winds, the water temperature has risen quickly with the visibility being super clear. Water levels have also dropped to their winter-time depths across most of the lagoon.

I was able to take a few charters this past week. Most days were spent sight-fishing to schools of cruising redfish pitching a Riptide shrimp in natural or ghost shrimp. The fish are still quickly adjusting to the water temps and feeding aggressively in the middle of the day when the water is at its warmest. Look for a leeward bank with some soft bottom, possibly nesting birds, getting direct sunlight and you should find redfish. Always pay close attention to the birds location and any sort of bait movement. These are important signs to help locate fish.



The fly fishing has been relatively good this week. Throughout the winter, smaller flies and accurate presentations will be the key. The best producers of the week have been the Bruja Crab(my recent favorite), a gold or black tinsel Toad, or any crab/slider pattern should also work.

Frank D. & his friend from Maine joined me for a two day charter this week fishing on Friday and Saturday and had a great time catching redfish on plastics and live shrimp. Marc and his friend from Texas also fished with me on Monday and caught several trout and redfish with the Gulp Alive Shrimp! All fish were released to hopefully fight again!!

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Happy New Year!! I wish you a safe, happy and hopefully prosperous 2010. I am looking forward to fishing with you this year and hope to see you out on the water soon!


Vincent with a nice redfish.

Now onto the fishing, The last few weeks of weather here on the Mosquito Lagoon have been downright Crazy. Windy and Cold, Slick Calm, Foggy, you name it & we’ve had it. Hopefully the new year will bring some stable fishing conditions in the weeks and months to come. The water levels AND TEMPERATUREs have dropped dramatically and the visibility is crystal clear. I am looking forward to the fabulous winter red-fishing on The Mosquito Lagoon and the Indian River.

When the weather cooperated I was able to take several charters this month. Primarily sight-fishing to laid-up or feeding & cruising redfish. Several large trout were also caught casting to holding fish with live shrimp or plastics such as the Riptide shrimp. Most of the fish are still adjusting to the water temperatures making for some interesting days on the water.


Paul & Tom from Delaware

The fly fishing has been challenging this week. Smaller down-sized flies and accurate presentations are the ticket. Try the Bruja shrimp or an olive slider to fish in this low clean water, brighter colors in off-colored water(such as a chartreuse sea-ducer).

Tom & Paul from Delaware joined me for a three-day charter this week fishing on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and had a blast catching reds and trout. These guys were a pleasure to fish with, and Paul is quite a “fishy” guy!! Vincent and Vinne also joined me from Kentucky and caught their first ever mosquito lagoon redfish as well as some fine trout! Great job guys!


Paul with one of his many redfish this week!

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Blustery fall conditions have dominated our weather patterns here on the Mosquito Lagoon this week. The wind & rain has finally, hopefully moved off!! The temperatures have ranged from the 50s to near 80’s, and the water levels are DROPPING! All this being said it looks like a great fishing week or so to come! Look for all of the lagoon species to be active with this weather break..Time to get out there..


Tony & Amy took a morning charter while in NSB on their Honeymoon!

On the days that I was able to fish, schools of redfish were found in several of their early winter haunts, also some days cruising reds along the banks crashing bait made for some explosive takes! If you see redfish crashing bait along the shorelines, try a small presentation such as a Riptide Realistic Shrimp on light tackle or a deceiver fly pattern for the fly-rodder, and hold on!


Murry Shaw with a nice slot redfish.

Topwater lures such as the saltwater chug bug will continue to produce this time of year early in the mornings and under grey skies.(Which we had a lot of this week). Quite a few nice trout were caught this week on surface lures. Other producers this week include the old reliable live shrimp and live mullet.

The fly fishing has been spotty at best this week. Sticking with the fly rod on those days when the wind is up can improve your casting. Keep this in mind and blind cast to likely fish holding ares, make a few quick strips, if nothing is interested pick up and find another spot for your next presentation. An effective pattern for this technique is a sparesly tied clouser or streamer. I like the brighter colors in off-colored water(such as lime or chartreuse), while sticking with more natural colors in the cleaner water areas.

The Mosquito Lagoon and North Indian River should continue to swing into winter mode and the reds will continue to focus their attention on the bottom. This should make for some excellent tailing action in the weeks to come. It is absolutely the best time of the year to sight-fish for redfish!

Call Captain Mike at 352-255-8175 or visit us on the web at www.hotfishcharters.com to book your Mosquito Lagoon fishing trip!

Happy Holidays!


Who's that guy?

Tight lines, I hope to see you out on the water soon!

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Fall conditions have returned to the Mosquito Lagoon this week. The weather has been somewhat moderate allowing for some great days on the water. Cooler temperatures are forecast for the next few days so this should really start to heat up the fishing. Water levels remain a bit little higher than average, especially with the recent rains. All of this change will make for some excellent red-fishing action!



Several large schools of redfish are started to be seen roaming the flats in the early part of the day. Try a live mullet or topwater for these guys, they can’t resist them this time of year as most of the bait will continue to move out with the cooler water temps. Other producers this week include live or gulp shrimp in subtle colors such as natural. Quite a few nice trout have been landed this week on gulp soft plastics as well. Please use caution while handling these fish during the closed season.



The fly fishing has been really good this week. When you locate cruising or laid-up fish, a well place fly should do the trick. My hot pattern for the week has been the redfish candy in off colored water or the tinsel toad in olive in the cleaner water areas. A forty inch fish was hooked on fly this week, but broke off only a few minutes into the fight! Most of the fish landed were in the 20-30 inch range.

The Mosquito Lagoon and North Indian River should continue to swing into winter mode. The reds will turn their attention to the bottom in search or crabs, worms , and shrimp. Low, clean, cooler water.... This means one thing...Tailing time!

Give us a call at 352-255-8175 or you can always visit us on the web at www.hotfishcharters.com to schedule your Mosquito Lagoon fishing trip!

Have a great week and I hope to see you out on the water soon!

Captain Mike

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Windy Days have dominated the weather this past week. Daily winds down on my dock have been 10-20 with gusts up to 30! This has made getting out on the water tough here on the Mosquito Lagoon. The forecast calls for some cooler temperatures in the days to come, and hopefully a little relief from these winds. Water levels also remain quite a bit higher than average but the water temp is starting to drop. As the water temps continue to cool, it should make for some fine tailing redfish action in the weeks to come.

The key to fishing these blustery days is to fish the leeward edges where the depth is 1-3 feet. As I said in my last report, focusing on the prevailing wind direction will also help you locate cleaner water making it easier to see fish. Focus your search tight to the bank and wherever you see sand holes or drop-offs, you are likely to locate reds and some nice trout! Several trout up to 30” have been seen cruising the shallows these past weeks.

Try tossing a live shrimp or 3” Gulp Shrimp (I like to use the molted shrimp color when the water is off-color) when you locate cruising redfish. They have been eagerly taking them when presented properly ahead and IN FRONT of the fish. Don’t land your lure on his head or as we all know, he will surely spook off.

Fly fishing has been hit and miss this past week. I did manage one successful fly outing with friend and fellow Captain Mike Savedow. We had a great morning fishing the ever faithful Gold tinsel toad, Mike was able to land not only his first ever redfish on fly(A nice 28” fish), but also his 2nd and 3rd redfish ever on fly! The last two being 25” and 24” respectively! The last fish ate the cherry Redfish Candy fly from Dan Johnson.



The Mosquito Lagoon and North Indian River fishing has been great on the the days when the wind will lay down, try starting early to beat those winds. Where you find bait, you're sure to find fish. Look for wind-blown edges where bait has concentrated in the morning and try pitching a top-water such as a the saltwater chug-bug, several nice reds have been landed recently when pitching a topwater near mullet pods!



We are still taking bookings for the holiday season. Give us a call at 352-255-8175 or you can always visit us on the web at www.hotfishcharters.com

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The mullet run is underway!! They can be found north to the inlet all throughout the lagoon system. The fishing this week has been good in the mornings using topwater for trout and redfish. Anywhere you locate bait on the flats or grassy edges these predators will be lurking. Pay close attention to the bait pods as there are generally reds mixed in with them in the shallows. The lure of choice this week has been a skitter-walk in black/chrome and the Chug-Bug or soft plastics such as a riptide jerk-bait in the mid mornings.

As the sun rises, those wanting to sight fish should look for clear water along leeward edges. Fish have been in the 1-2 foot range throughout the day cruising the shallows following finger mullet. For some exciting action, try pitching a live small finger mullet (say 3-5 inches) in front of a cruising red this time of year!! This can produce some explosive strikes.

For the fly-fisherman, early morning starts have been key for tailing fish in the pre-sunrise hours. Last week's fly trip resulted in 6 fish boated from a small school during a 1 hour tailing bonanza by some nice slot sized reds. The productive fly was a gold tinsel toad and also the olive sexy slider. Both of these flies have great movement in the water and tailing reds can’t resist them if presented properly. Make sure to use a flourocarb tippet of about 18”.

As the water starts to drop out the sight fishing for redfish should improve as these fish start to move into their fall patterns.

TIGHT LINES and Good fishing. I hope to see you on the water soon.

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The summer season in Alaska has come to a close..No more rainbow trout, no more salmon, arctic char, grayling or dolly varden...(Until next summer)..

It's time to move on to the fall & winter season here on the lagoons of Florida's space coast. We had a terrific season fishing in Alaska this year, but now it is time for tailing reds in the super shallows. Here are a few Rainbow Trout photos for this week's LAST report from AK! I hope to see you on the water soon..


Funnel Creek Rainbow (Photo by Juan Lange)


Moraine Creek Rainbow


American Creek Rainbow

Tight Lines and Great Fishing!

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I'm off to Alaska for the summer as another season of guiding in AK has started!

Remote tundra streams, large rainbow trout, Brown bears and float planes...It doesn't get much better than this! Fishing on such fabled waters as the Kvichak River, The Naknek river, Lower Talarik Creek and the American to name a few. This is truly a guide's dream, having the opportunity to take people on their fishing adventure of a lifetime. Whether casting dry flies to rising trout and grayling or swinging big leeches on sink tips for Monster 'bows and Salmon, it is the type of fishing that dreams are made of.



The rivers here are all fishing great and we are already starting to see the first Sockeye salmon returning to Bristol Bay and the Lake Iliamna watershed for their annual spawning migration.

I urge all of you to take time and visit these websites to understand the critical habitat being jeopardized by development in this great and vast land. We cannot let this resource be spoiled.

http://www.savebristolbay.org
http://www.pebblepartnership.com
http://www.redgoldfilm.com/

I will, however, miss my wonderful home waters of the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon during my absence. While not catching world class rainbows and salmon on the fly, I will be day-dreaming of tailing redfish and monster sea-trout on those pristine Florida flats!


Jose Marti of www.chileonthefly.com


Jose's first blackie!


Mike Connor from Seattle with a daybreak redfish. Bent rods are what it's all about!

In closing, have a wonderful summer and I look forward to seeing you on the water soon. As always we are still booking charters for Florida October through May. Please feel free to call or email me if you have any questions or would like to book a trip or you can always visit us on the web at www.hotfishcharters.com.

Life is Short, Get out there and GO FISHING!

Capt Mike.
352-255-8175

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Windy Days have dominated the weather this past month. Summer Like temperatures have the bait-fish returning in massive numbers.. Its almost like summer started overnight.

Several interesting trips this month include a few days fishing the Cobia migration along the beaches with some rather successful results. Here is a photo of a day we were able to get out and sight fish the manta rays, what an awesome spectacle!



Anybody who loves to fish should get out there when possible to try and catch one of these tasty fish. They will easily take a swimming jig or fly if presented properly ahead and IN FRONT of the fish and the cruiser Ray.

The Mosquito Lagoon and North Indian River fishing has been great on the the days when the wind will lay down, try starting early to beat those mid-day winds. The trout have really started to show up as well. Where you find bait, you're sure to find trout. Look for wind-blown edges where bait has concentrated in the morning and try pitching a top-water such as a chug-bug or Rapala skitter walk and hold on. Several nice Gators have been landed and seen stalking the shallows this week.

Redfish and Black Drum continue to keep cruising the flats. As the water temps climb through the day these fish are feeding heavily. I seen redfish mauling schools of bait-fish and then start tailing on the shallow bottom in less than 10 minutes. The bait of choice has been a live shrimp, top-water, or a nice frisky live mullet. Pay attention to moving water and splashing bait to locate feeding and cruising fish. Also watch closely for the tell tale signs of a waking school.



Last week on a charter with Jeff from ID, we scored a lagoon slam with trout, reds, and a nice blackdrum. Other happy anglers this week were Davis and Bret form Indiana, Tristan from Sydney, and Paul G. from Orlando.





Take a kid out and go fishing!!

Capt Mike.

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April Fishing Report 4/13/9
Letʼs just say the weather here on the space coast has varied from pleasant boat-free back-country tailing fish (more on that later) to ABSOLUTELY HORRID rainy and windy days. As I write this report the wind is howling at 30 mph and gusting to 50! With all of this crazy weather the water levels have fluctuated dramatically as well. Several charters have had to be re-scheduled this month due to this messy weather.

Mosquito Lagoon and the North Indian River continue to be the place to be for Redfish, Black Drum and Trout! Some of the “larger” winter schools have broken up making for lots of singles, cruising fish and tailers if you get out on the right day. We all know this is a toss of the dice when planning a trip in the month of April.

Last week on a charter with Mike from CT, we actually fished an entire bay by
OURSELVES for six(6) hours. Happy to have tailing fish all morning.




I later spoke to a friend of mine who said there were at least ten(10) boats
in an area known to produce black drum this year....Can you believe that?
All in an area the size of a football field!! Iʼm happy to say that MANY fish are
being caught WITHOUT other boats around!! Iʼve seen anglers casting over other's lines from 10 feet away and boats actually bumping into each other to achieve position on a TERRORIZED school of fish. I remain committed to avoid this!

The go-to bait this week has been a fresh live finger mullet or as always, a sight-casted riptide plastic, live shrimp, or fly. The reds have been working along the flats throughout the day and if you locate a fish without spooking them you can usually make them eat.

The weather has been marginal for the fly-fishermen, gold tinsel toads and small crab patterns have been the ticket. Also this month, I caught a very interesting fish in my neighborhood...(ON Fly!) I was testing some new clear fly line sent to me from MONIC, (these guys make great lines for spooky fish!) on a local pond and this was the result.



Why would this guy EAT a crab?

Happy anglers this week include Mike from CT with a truly great day of tailing reds, Dave and his wife Sheila from Orlando were treated to perfect weather and schools of Black Drum as well as a NICE 6 lb. trout on a finger mullet.. (All Released Fish!). Take a Kid Fishing! They are the Future.

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March Fishing Report 3/17/9
Mosquito Lagoon - Schools of redfish and black drum continue to be all over the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon this past month. I have also seen several singles and small clusters breaking off from the heard and tailing as the water temperatures continue to rise.

The go-to bait this week has been a shrimp sight-casted to schooling reds or taillers. The reds have been working along the flats throughout the day. Riptide plastics are working with a erratic high speed retrieve in the wind in the afternoon. Look for fish on the edges of the drop-offs, the grass flats and the sand holes.

The weather has been PERFECT for the fly-fishermen, the wonderful gold tinsel Toad and an olive Borski Slider worked well this week and also small dark green crabs with orange rubber legs. As I said in my last report, If you are looking to catch a redfish on the fly, you canʼt ask for better low and clear water conditions than right now.

Happy anglers this week include Kyle Peterson from Minnesota with several great days of redfishing.



Brian from Orlando


Mac and Ron from Chicago who joined me for a three day fly fishing charter and were treated to absolutely perfect weather and tailing redfish.


Get out there and go fishing to catch your Florida Mosquito Lagoon Redfish!
Great Fishing and Tight Lines.
Capt Mike.

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Mosquito Lagoon and the North Indian River - Schools of redfish continue to be in the lagoon system this month. Finding them in low water is sometimes easy, making them eat is a different story. Patience is they key.

The go-to bait this week has been shrimp or small finger mullet at depths of 1-4 feet on the grass and in the sand holes where the reds have been working along drop-offs. GULP plastics continue to work as well, try using a rootbeer w/chartreuse paddle tail paired with an A&L jig in 1/16 ounce for casting distance. Look for fish to climb out of the drop-offs and onto the flats throughout the morning as the water and air temperatures rise.

For the fly-fisherman, crab and small shrimp patterns continue to be the best producers. Kwans, Merkins or Borski-type Sliders for have been this week’s HOT fly. Preferably with some orange rubber legs for a little extra movement. If you are looking to catch a redfish on the fly, you can’t ask for better low and clear water conditions than right now.
Pick the right weather and you are sure to be rewarded.

Weather patterns continue to fluctuate with the fast moving cold fronts. I’ve had to re-schedule several trips the last two weeks of February. Hopefully the month of March will be a little more pleasant.

Happy anglers this week include Bob and Jason Roach from Pittsburgh, PA. (Oh yes, I had to hear about the Steeler Nation, I gave them a Miami Dolphins warning for this season!)


Bob Roach with a nice Redfish.


Jason Roach with another great Mosquito Lagoon Red.

Get out there and go fishing!

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The past few weeks have our wonderful redfish in their winter patterns. Large Schools of redfish are ALL over the lagoon system this month. How spectacular it is to pole quietly onto a flat that has literally hundreds of happy redfish awaiting the stealthy angler. The north Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon are both producing excellent catches.

The bait of choice this week has been the ever faithful shrimp tactically placed in sand holes and around grassy edges at depths of 1-3 feet where the reds have been holding. Gulp Alive and similar plastics in a shrimp pattern are also working. Try using a neutral color in extra clear waters such as natural. A slow presentation works well this time of the year. You may also try scaling down on your leader to say 12 or 15 lb flourocarbon.

For the fly-fisherman, delicate presentations of crab and small shrimp patterns with flouro tippets are the ticket. You may also want to try the EP baitfish patterns and larger clousers in chartreuse color for cruising packs of reds.

Our weather patterns have been up and down with all of these quickly moving fronts. The trick is to pick you day wisely. Pre-front fish can really put on the feed-bag sometimes as they are worried about getting their next meal.

The water levels continue to remain very low, so if you’re out there fishing, boating or just enjoying a day on the lagoon, use caution while navigating this month or you may found yourself STUCK. I have seen several boats running aground the past few weeks, making for what I’m sure are some pricey repairs!

Here are a few pictures of some happy anglers this week including Jim & Colin Harper from Ontario with Colin’s first ever redfish! Have a great day and as always, take a day to go fishing and enjoy it out there.




Chuck Atwell with a great February Redfish.

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The month of January has been interesting to say the least...With temperatures ranging
from 25-80 degrees on the Mosquito Lagoon and the surrounding area.. This has a
dramatic effect on how our inshore species will behave. Feeding aggressively in the
shallows during the warmest parts of the day, to sluggish and lethargic on those extra
cool mornings..Paying very close attention to water temperature is key when these
winter COLD fronts move through..Starting your trip a little later in the morning can
make all the difference..

Iʼll give you an example, the other day I fished a rather large school of redfish on the
north end, these fish were a bit tricky to get to with the extremely low water, but with
some determined poling we reached them at about ten in the morning..(The outside air
temperature was a balmy 39 degrees) They were flashing and churning in a vast white
sand spot with broken grass..My customers were able to catch a few fish casting Gulp
Alive and live shrimp,letting the lure fall slowly and just dead-sticking it. Sometimes not
moving the bait for 5-10 minutes Most of these fish were slot reds with a few 30” guys
mixed in. After a dozen bites, not hook-ups mind you, we moved to another
location..The fish were very slowly eating and some over-reactive hook-sets resulted in
a few missed fish..Two hours of talking fishing, drinking coffee, and wishing for the sun
we moved to another location after landing 4 nice slot reds.

Two days later and 30 degrees warmer, I decided to check on those same slow and
lethargic fish..After poling in I noticed very FEW fish in the big depression, however the
were easily three or four dozen reds tailing in groups of 2-4 fish all over the grassy edge
about a foot shallower than the sand spot...These fish were responsive to a shrimp and
were eating with a fervor, sometimes slurping the shrimp off the surface as it was being
retrieved back to the boat making for some incredible surface takes.!! We managed to
boat 12 reds in less than an hour! The largest fish was right at 32”.

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The beautiful weather over this holiday week has made for some excellent fishing. The winter time low water levels have schooled up the redfish quite nicely with double digit catches not uncommon! There's also still good opportunities for the elusive black drum. Here are a few photos from this week's charters. Including several happy fisherman (and women!) with double Hook-Ups..



Double Black Drum Hookup!




Double Hook up!! FISH ON!!


Dawn with a nice morning Tailer!

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Outstanding fishing!!! The weather has been perfect with the perfect clear skies and light winds!! The redfish have been tailing, the black drum have been schooling and the trout bite has been red-hot! Call to book your trip now, THE Fishing is EXCELLENT!

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Another great day on the lagoon treated Mike and Keith from Seattle to some great redfishing. All their fish were sight casted using shrimp and riptide realistic shrimp!!

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Even with the cooler weather, the bite remains quite good if you locate fish. Here are a few photos from this week's fishing. Call now to reserve your holiday fishing trip.

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After five months of guiding in Alaska, I have finally returned to the wonderful lagoon. Fishing has been very good as the mullet are still invading the flats and if you get out there between weather fronts, you can usually do well. Several of the last few trips have been spent poling tight to protected banks and fishing w/gulps jerk baits or sight casted shrimp.. I love the fall! Here is a Picture of a nice north end mosquito lagoon redfish caught by Ted Davis of Pennsylvania. Get out there and go fishing or call me to at 352-255-8175 to reserve a trip.

Also don't forget to visit the photo library as several new pictures have been added from Alaska this season. I hope you enjoy them.

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The summer season is rolling right along...The weather has been a little un-cooperative as we still have snow on the ground in many areas..Rainbow fishing has been exceptional and so have the salmon!! I am still taking bookings for the fall and winter season on the mosquito lagoon so drop me an email and I will get back with you!! Tight lines and great fishing..

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Well, the end of May has arrived and that means one thing...I'm off to Alaska for the summer. I am looking forward to float planes, pacific salmon, monster rainbow trout, and of course, the bears. I shall return at the first of October to resume hunting for those wonderful Redfish on the lagoons. Here are a few photos from this last month's charters.

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Mosquito Lagoon continues to shine as one of the finest fisheries in the United States! Redfish, Cobia, Shrimp, Trout, Oysters, Mullet.....Spring is quickly approaching! We are even starting to see some little Pigfish already..Here are some Pictures from this month's charters...

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Another outstanding month of fishing. The water levels continue to be extremely low, causing the fish to school up nicely if you can get to them! Here are a few pictures from this month.

Jerry from Eustis, Florida with a double hook-up!


A rare "NO SPOT" redfish.


Sweet Flyrod red.


Call now to reserve your trip.

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What a busy few weeks! Nine charter trips in 12 days!! The water continues to be very low, the way I like it, and the reds certainly know it. They have been schooled up in massive schools in some areas in very skinny water, these fish are excellent targets with the fly or a properly placed shrimp. Remember to try a super stealthy approach. Here are some photos of the past few weeks.


Frank from Connecticut with a good one.


Andrew is one FISHY Guy, he always gets the great weather and good fishing!!





Winner of free fly fishing trip from Lagoon Bait & Tackle, Wayne Besaw.

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The fishing continues to be great, with the fish bunched up in some really nice schools, and the CATCHING continues to be awesome! we've had some interesting weather this past month (including snow flurries on the lagoon!!) Here are a few Photos from this past month of fishing!

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Super skinny Redfish with fish tails-up! !! A beautiful sight-casted fish by Mike Connor of Seattle, Washington. The fish have been really shallow over the last few days and tailing fish have been very consistent. As the water levels continue to be extremely low, these fish have started to school up BIG TIME! Most of the fish have been solid slot sized 20-26" fish, with several oversize guys mixed in. I love this time of year!!

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The month of November has been excellent, the water level has started to drop and the sight fishing has been AWESOME! Several Gator trout have been caught this month and I've Attached a few photos. Remember that the season is closed on trout until the new year, please use care while releasing these fish! This month looks to be great!

Call Capt Mike at Hotfish Charters to go out & catch yours!



Three Casts = 3 Nice Reds!

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