Hello from the world famous Mosquito Lagoon. This is Captain Jonathan Moss of Go Castaway Fishing Charters with the November edition of Outdoor360’s East Central Florida Fishing Report. Last month was all about picking pumpkins and boy did we. This month we continue to see good numbers of redfish and sea trout on the flats and shoals. Fish have been caught throwing gold spoons, top water plugs, and weighted, weedless rigged, soft plastics by FlatsHQ (www,flatshq.com). With clarity still only about a foot, vibration and noise are key factors in catching fish, even more so than lure color.
Our biggest obstacle continues to be the wind. Strong North winds can cause the lagoon to get choppy. Don’t let that challenge stop you from going out! High water levels from Hurricane Matthew, has pushed bait and quality schools of redfish into the backwaters of the eastern islands of the Mosquito Lagoon. This is to our advantage as these islands provide ample protection from the wind, allowing both spin and fly anglers shots at laid up fish. Snook and tarpon are still around and mixed in with the redfish and trout in certain areas. My fly anglers are throwing the Anarchy Chromatic Borski Slider in Orange and Yellow, tied by pOG Flys (www.pierceoutdoorsgroup.com) out of Titusville, Fl. This has been my go to fly for redfish, as it stands out in our stained water and mimics the shrimp these fish have been feeding on so aggressively.
For our anglers who prefer to throw bait, live shrimp on a 2/0 circle hook can be thrown into schools of redfish for an easy hook up. Also, a 1 to 2 inch chunk of cut mullet, or cut lady fish, again on a 2/0 circle hook, thrown on a grass flats with nearby sand holes or “pot holes” will do the trick!
This month, I made several trips to the Banana and Indian Rivers. Both rivers have improved in water clarity since Hurricane Matthew! This is such great news! A benefited result, is that sight fishing has improved drastically. Focus on docks, mangroves and spoil islands for consistent redfish, snook and trout action.
This month’s “Pro Tip”
DOUBLE HAUL: Double hauling is the act of pulling on your fly line as you back and forward cast. This causes the line to glide through the guides of your fly rod at an amplified speed. The pull is the haul. It is crucial that you are able to perform the double haul to achieve a cast with enough distance to reach spooky fish. Distance and accuracy will increase your hook up ratio so time spent practicing is time well spent. Lastly, because the double haul greatly increases line speed, it also aides in casting under windy conditions. The added speed caused by the double haul will help the line cut through the wind.
Thank you for your time in reading this article. I hope it aids you in becoming a better and more prepared angler.
Tight lines,
Capt. Jonathan Moss
Go Castaway Fishing Charters
407-760-8593
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