October generally brings some of the highest water levels of the year. This can be challenging for fly fishing but that also means redfish will be prowling close to the shore looking for small baitfish to blast making blowups that can be hear and seen from long distances. As we get into November, water levels will begin to recede, the temperatures will drop, and conditions will clear up. Clean water and sunny skies are the fly angler’s dream when fishing Mosquito Lagoon.
Finding shallow and hopefully clear water is the primary focus. if the water is too deep, you will not be able to see and tails, pushes, or possibly even the fish in the water. While spin anglers can find success making long blind casts, doing that with a fly is not nearly as effective or productive. There are miles of shorelines to fish along with countless bays, islands and channels throughout the Lagoon. The offer the best shallow water opportunities as well as a predictable place for fish to travel. Shorelines also offer great protection from the winds, which will soon be blowing, as well.
Located mostly inside the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Mosquito Lagoon is a saltwater estuary and home year round to redfish, seatrout, black drum, and more. in the fall and winter, those are the primary targets of fly fishing anglers. you can fish from a flats skiff, canoe, kayak, paddleboard, or wading. Shore fishing opportunities are very limited in the this area and best success will be had with a watercraft or wading.
On my fly fishing charters for redfish, I mainly use 5 and 7wt flyrods with floating line. Unweighted flies like bendbacks land softly in ultra-shallow water and ride hook up. All other flies I use have weedgaurds as most areas have a grass bottom and often floating piece of grass as well. The fishing is almost 100 percent sight fishing. this means you are casting only to fish you see. Fly size can often be more important than color. if the fish are being picky, the smaller flies usually do better. Other days they will eat anything that moves. Casting is far more important than fly selection any day. Quick accurate casts are necessary to get your preferred fly to the fish before they see you and take off.
As we move into December, expect to encounter more schools of redfish instead of the primarily single and double fish of the summer. This provides a much larger target to see and cast at but also offer more chances for the fish to sense your approach and cast. Black drum schools are also a possibility every day. these fish can be tough to spot with their grat color but are usually not quite as boat shy as redfish can be.
If you want looking for a fly fishing guide near Orlando or Disney, contact me today to get your trip booked.
Capt. Chris Myers – Central Florida Sight Fishing Charters
