Here we are with another year going to the past. I hope 2011 was great to everyone and that 2012 brings even more enjoyment to your life. Now lets talk
some fishing we have finally experienced our first major cold front of the year which has cleaned the water up dramatically. With the strong north winds that has came along with the passing fronts
has pushed alot of the water out of the northern lagoon system,has forced alot of the fish out of the creeks into deeper water. In the past week or so I have been seeing schools of redfish anywhere from five to
two hundred in some places just keep in mind when there is no water on that grass flat that you usually fish those fish had to go somewhere . I have been catching these fish on a variety of baits from Aqua Dream spoons to live shrimp.
The trout bite has been just as good with large numbers being caught on soft plastics and popping corks while the larger fish are still looking for that live finger mullet. The FWC has also announced that there will be no closed harvest dates
on sea trout for 2012 which tells me that the population has came back twice fold in the past years. Another great benefit to the winter months is not just the water clarity but the water temps, this is a time of year that you can sleep in a little
because most of your fish are not really turning on until later in the morning as the flats start to warm up. With that being said look for the redfish schooling on the shallow mud and sand flats later in the morning gathering the warmth from the sun and the
larger trout can be found holding in the sand holes on the shallow grass flats doing the same. Good luck be safe and have a happy 2012.

Capt Patrick Rood
www.spotntailcharters.com

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With the holiday season upon us the main focus is gathering presents and scheduling dinners. But do not neglect the water this time of year this can be one of the best times of year to be on the Lagoon. As the cold fronts move south east across the state the water begins to cool allowing alot of the algae to die off and give us crystal clear water conditions. With the water becoming so clear that you can sight fish your choice of species and literally watch eat your bait if presented correctly. This is the time of year that we start to see our redfish and black drum schooling in large numbers anywhere from ten to three hundred sometimes more. As the water starts to empty in the Lagoon look for these fish to be holding in deeper holes on the flats and on edges of bars. They can be taken on several different baits from small soft plastics to live shrimp there is a couple things to remember with the water being so clear stealthyness is a must and slow your bait retrieval down to a minimum. This is also a good time of year to target larger trout by casting to the pot holes on the shallow flats these fish like to lay in them for the warmth that they give off in the middle of the day. Just remember as the water cools these trout will move slower to conserve energy so this go's back to a very slow retrieval is key. This is also a excellent time of year to target flounder in the northern zone of Mosquito Lagoon toward Edgewater and New Smyrna. I like to use a small Aqua Dream shad body with a 1/8 oz jig head or a 1/4 oz spoon and a slow retrieve along the bottom. Don't get surprised if you think you have hung a oyster bar or bottom and the line starts to move this area is known for large doormat flatties. Good luck and be safe.

Capt Patrick Rood
www.spotntailcharters.com

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As the cold fronts start to move through the central Fl area the trout and redfish are transitioning into there winter time patterns. Look for the redfish to be holding in the deeper pot holes and sloughs in the early morning. As the days moves on and the sun gets higher look for the redfish to move on the shallow flats and into the sand holes for warmth. These fish can caught on a varity of artifical and live bait from live shrimp and cut bait to Auqa Dream spoons and soft plastics. The key to any of these baits is a slow presentation slower the better as the water starts to cool. This time of year brings the cyrstal clear water conditions which is great for sight casting redfish but also makes it easier for the larger trout to see you. The trick to landing these large gator trout are stealth and long accurate cast. I have always said your largest trout will be your furthest cast. Look for these fish to be holding on shallow mud and sand flats soaking up the warmth in the late mornings and afternoons. These fish can be caught using smaller baits like live finger mullet and small soft plastics. Good luck and be safe.
Capt Patrick Rood
www.spotntailcharters.com

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With summer coming to a end and fall upon us things in the Lagoon system has started to change. The larger red fish have started to spawn look for large quantities in the Indian river lagoon and south mosquito lagoon along with large numbers in the inlets.
We have also recently had a low pressure setting on top of central FL for a few days dumping high amounts of water into the lagoon system in the upwards of 12" to 13". With that being said look for red fish and trout cruising the flooded grass and flats in search
of new feeding opportunities. These fish can be caught on soft plastics rigged weedless and sight casted using live shrimp look for tails and cruising fish. The tarpon bite has started to slow down with most of the larger fish migrating back south for the upcoming winter
but you can still find some juveniles holding around the bridges and inlets feeding on bait pods.As fall and winter moves forward look for the water to start to clear as the temperatures start to drop with each passing cold front . These upcoming months are my favorite time of year
to be on the water clear water and cooler weather ads up to great fishing.

Capt Patrick Rood
www.spotntailcharters.com

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With the end to another summer in sight we start looking forward to the cooler fall weather ahead and let's not forget the clear water. The south Lagoon system and IRL has had A algae bloom for the last couple of weeks causing very poor visibility which is making for difficult sight fishing conditions. With that being said target the bait pods, bars and points for red fish and trout along with you occasional lady fish. Under these conditions I like to throw a top water plug in the early morning and switching over to a Auqua dream spoon or spinner bait later in the day. Tarpon can still be found in the early morning through out the ICW and around the causeways in New Smyrna Bch. These fish can be caught on several different baits but I would start with live finger mullet or pig fish on a out going tide then moving to a diving plug later in the morning.. Look for the mature Red fish to start migrating out the inlets in the upcoming months to spawn this always makes for a great time. Be aware of weather conditions and other anglers while fishing the inlets under the wrong circumstances it can be tricky and dangerous.
Good Luck
Capt Patrick Rood
www.spotntailcharters.com

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The water level in the lagoon system has started to rise over the last couple of weeks and the schools of bait have moved in thick. The pods of tarpon have shown up along the the beach and in the ICW. Look for them rolling in the early morning and late evenings under calm conditions. These fish can be taken on plugs and live bait just be sure to position your boat for easy access to the fish and hang on they have been ranging from 20lb to over 100lb. The red fish and trout bite has been good early morning and late evining due to the rising water temps in the middle of the day. Look for he redfish to be tailing on the shallow flats early and moving to the deep pot holes and edges later in the morning. These fish can be caught on a varity of baits but my go too baits are auqadream spoons and soft plastics for artifical and pinfish for live bait. The best trout bite has also been early morning targeting the bait schools with top water plugs. As the water gets warmer in the late morning look for the trout to move into 3ft to 4ft of water holding over the grass and pot holes. these fish can be caught on twich baits and live pin fish under a cork. If fun and explosive strikes are more your style then look around the see walls in the ICW for schools of jacks. These are a great fighting fish and when they get active they will eat anything . Top water baits are always a good choose for these fish and hang on there has been some large ones caught lately.

Capt Patrick Rood
www.spotntailcharters.com

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The summer heat has definitely arrived and the trout bite has arrived with it. Look for the large schools of finger mullet that have moved into the lagoon system to be holding large numbers of trout with them in the early mornings.You can target these fish with topwater plugs,soft plastics and as well with live bait. As the sun gets higher in the sky move to a little deeper water along the edges of the flats and bars to target these fish. The red fish have started their summer time patterns look for them breaking up from the large schools and pushing up on shorelines and around bars looking for easy meals. This time of year i like to throw aqua dream spoons and top water plugs to find them and switch over to a soft plastic for something more settle. These fish can also be caught on live bait such as live finger mullet,shrimp and pin fish are some good choices. I have started to notice the snook bite is starting to come back around after the freeze a year ago just remember these fish got hit really hard so handle with care to keep our population thriving. The flounder bite is really good right now almost every trip out my clients have boated a flatty. This time of year they are not huge but have had some twenty inch fish in the boat. The tarpon are moving in thicker as the month go's on and should be in full affect by the end of the month. Look for them rolling and chasing bait early in the morning around channel edges and deep passes.

Capt Patrick Rood
www.spotntailcharters.com

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May was a great month with large numbers of both trout and redfish being caught and so far June is looking just as good if not better. I have had many days with double digit numbers on trout with alot of the trout over twenty inchs which is a great sign considering the freeze from a little over a year ago. These fish can be taken several ways from soft plastics under a popping cork to free lined live bait. Target the deep sloughs and sharp edges of the flats along with the oyster bed edges. Low light situations will work best but if fished slowly have had many twenty plus inch fish caught in the middle of the day.The red fish bite has also been strong there are stil larger schools and pods of ten to twenty fish out there to target.But alot of them have started their summmer pattern and broke away from the schols to feed on their own. With the influx of mullet in the lagoon system look for these red fish to be swimming with the mullet schools not only to feed on what they stir up off the bottom but also for the protection.These fish can also be caught several different ways from top water to live bait just remember with the water temps increasing take time to release these fish healthy.I have been keeping an eye out for the elusive silver king (tarpon) I have found some moving through but not in great numbers yet it should be a matter of days before they start to show.While looking for tarpon I have ran into alot of schools of jacks which always make for a great fight.When these fish get triggered they will eat almost any thing in this case my favorite bait to use is a auqadreams spoon I always have a rod rigged with one for red fish in the boat so its easy to grab in these situation.
Capt Patrick Rood
www.spotntailcharters.com

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May has finally arrived and the summer heat has arrived with it. With that being said make sure you use protection while on the water this summer from the sun and the heat. I recommend a lot of fluids and sun block along with cool clothing. The water temps in the lagoon are in the mid to upper 70's and rising which has triggered a great trout bite. Look for the large schools of bait fish moving through the lagoon system and you will find trout and red fish not far away. These fish can be caught on several different baits from live finger mullet to soft plastics but my favorite bait this time of year would have to be top water plugs. I have had several clients in the past few weeks take many large trout and red fish on top water plugs fishing the edges of bait schools. With the water temps still rising means the tarpon are on there migration north so keep your eyes open for them to start moving in the inlets and around the bridges in the next few weeks. These fish can be taken on either live bait or artificial just look for them to roll on the surface and present the bait in front of them for your best chances to hook up.Good luck and be safe!

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The start to spring is in full effect in the northern lagoon with the water warming and the influx of bait scattered across the flats. With the amount of mullet that are in the lagoon system the trout have moved in with them along with the jacks. Throwing top water plugs to the large schools of finger mullet can produce strikes from both of these predators. Don't forget about the red fish they can also be found mixed in with the larger row mullet feeding on what they stir up off the bottom. These fish can be targeted using a variety of baits this time of year, from soft plastics to top water but my go to bait is a aqua dream spoon. If live bait is your choice of presentation then live shrimp,cut bait,pin fish,or live finger mullet will work not only the red fish but all three species. As the water keeps warming keep your eyes open for the silver king to start moving in. The large groups of tarpon should be reaching us in early may but some times smaller pods show up early. Look for these fish to be rolling around bridges and inlet areas as the larger pods appear they will be following the bait up the beach's. Good luck and be safe.
Capt Patrick Rood
www.spotntailcharters.com

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As the northern states are still getting pounded by snow and foul weather it seems that the spring weather is in our very near future here in central FL. With spring weather brings spring patterns for our fish like the influx of bait , a little higher water and my personal favorite spawning trout. While were on that subject this is a great time of year to catch some very large trout but with that being said they need to be handled with care do to the stress they are already going threw. I like to fish the grass flats with pot holes and lots of bait working either a popping cork or a top water in the early morning. As the sun rises a little higher in the sky i will move to 3 to 4 feet of water working soft plastics and twitch baits. As for the red fish they can still be found in schools roaming the flats looking for a easy meal . Do not neglect looking in the schools of mullet for red fish mixed in they may no be actually feeding on the mullet but what they are stirring up off the bottom. I like to target these fish in several different ways you can start with live shrimp,cut bait and live pin fish. For artificial I like to use soft plastics,aqua dream spoons and hard baits either twitch baits or top water.And now for a little beach action,if you have the ability to make it out of either Canaveral or ponce inlet you target cobia. Look for a nice calm day with alot of sun this is a run and gun style of fishing. You want to look for rays cruising or jumping and the cobia should be traveling under the rays. A long casting rod with a buck tail jig or a large swim bait is a good choice.


Capt Patrick Rood
www.spotntailcharters.com

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The start of Feb. 2011 is looking really good with mild temperatures and active fish. There has been large numbers of redfish found through out both Mosquito and Indian river lagoon systems. They have been in schools from the hundreds to singles spread out across the flat in the heat of the day. I have also came across alot of tailing fish in the past month which is a great sign of them searching for food. My clients have been catching them on several different baits from cut mullet ,lady fish and shrimp to auqa dream spoons , soft plastics , dark colored flies and even top water plugs.
The trout bite has been just as good as the red fish bite with large amounts of schooling trout and the occasional five to six pounder. Most of these fish have been holding in about three feet of water until the sun gets higher in the sky. The larger fish will move up on to the flats in search of food and warmth find the white sand holes and you will find them.
With the clarity of the water you need to make your cast very long in order to bag one of these trophy trout. The go to baits would consist of live mullet , shrimp under a popping cork, soft plastics , or my favorite top water plugs.
We have also had some large schools of black drum in the southern end of the lagoon holding on the bars and large depressions. These fish will act almost like red fish so it can be easy to be fooled you may catch your self throwing spoons to school of black drum a couple of times before realizing that they are not going to eat. These fish can be caught on shrimp or crab pattern flies or the real thing is even better you may want to hang on there are some biggins down there.

Good luck and be safe Capt Patrick Rood

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Here we are at another new year and the start of another fishing season and so far so good. With the cooler weather has brought clarity to the inshore waters which
adds up to exceptional sight fishing. We have been finding large schools of red fish in numbers of up to a hundred through out the lagoon system. If you take your time
and position yourself correctly targeting these fish can be a breeze. These fish can be taken on several different kinds of bait like shrimp,soft plastics, cut bait and worked
correctly I have been catching large numbers on the Aqua dreams spoons. The trout bite has also been exceptional I have been finding these fish to be holding on the edge
of the flats in about three feet of water mixed in with schools of mullet in the early morning. As the sun gets higher in the sky and the flats start to warm the larger trout have been moving up on the flats to the sand holes to gather warmth. These fish can be caught using small suspending plugs,soft plastics,live shrimp and mullet. Just remember
patience and placement is the key to catch one of these trophy trout I recommend a very slow retrieve on artificial and let the live bait just do what it does best. Now lets finish up with flounder they have moved into the back waters of edgewater in great numbers and can be taken two different ways. One way is gigging them this is definitely a challenge and alot of work but when they are in as thick as they are very satisfying. Then there is rod and reel these fish can be targeted with baits on the bottom for artificial I would recommend a soft plastic with a 1/8 oz jig head and for live bait a shrimp rig on the same jig head and a slow retrieve along the bottom.
Good luck and be safe!

Capt Patrick Rood

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Tis the season for cooler weather. As the cold fronts start to move through Central FL our fish will begin there winter patterns. The water has already started to drop and also clear up. Look for the trout to be holding in the deeper sand holes early in the morning and moving to the shallow flats as the sun gets higher in the sky. The red fish can be found holding on shallow sand holes and mud flats soaking up the warmth from the bottom. There is one good thing about this time of year though! You can sleep inn the water doesn't start to warm until late morning. Good luck and stay warm
Capt Patrick Rood

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Well we have received our first blast of arctic weather in the form of a cold front. This is going to put our fish into there winter patterns with the water emptying in the lagoon and becoming even more clear. This is one of my most favorite times of year to fish the lagoon system you just need to weather cautious with the constant fronts. Look for the red fish to start schooling on the sand and mud flats as the water temp starts to lower over the next few months. As the water temps get lower start down sizing your tackle, smaller baits and slower retrieves. As the old saying gos if you think the presentation is slow enough slow it down even more. This is also a excellent time of year to sight cast quality trout the larger trout will be holding on the sand pot holes and sand bottom where as the schoolies will be on the edges in deeper water. The same presentation applies slow and small is the key. Good luck and be safe!

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It seems as the year is flying its already October. We have just had our first cold front and the cooler weather is much needed. The water level in lagoon system is still high which is causing the red fish and trout to move further up on the flats looking for new food sources. The top water bite is still hot focusing on points and shorelines can definitely up your chances for a bite on both trout and red fish. If flounder aka flatties are your choice of species you are in luck the larger flounder will be moving in to edge water area within the next month or so. You can target them with a jig head and small soft plastic pogy body bouncing on the bottom or live mud minnow on a jig head. Both will trigger that bite focus on the sand or mud bottom. Just remember as we enter the fall pattern comes the unstable fall weather with fronts moving through so be careful on the water.
Capt Patrick Rood

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The action in the lagoon system both mosquito and indian river has been very good these past couple of months, and I don't see it slowing down any time soon. The tarpon will start to migrate there way south following the bait so if you haven't hooked into a nice one now is the time. They are still holding around the bridges and on the edge of the ICW. Live pin fish ,mullet ,shrimp , or swim baits will work. Red fish can be found all over the lagoon. Start looking for the big bull reds around the inlets and jetties as the spawn is coming near. You can fish these big ones with a variety of baits from cut lady fish to half blue crabs.The trout bite has been steady if a gator trout is what your after focus on early morning and late evening around the bait pods. The smaller trout can be caught all day in 3 to 4 foot of water holding over grass bottom. Small artificials work great under a poping cork for the smaller trout. The bigger trout can not pass up top water plug ,live mullet or a croaker. Good luck and be safe
Capt Patrick Rood

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It seemed like the first part of summer we were never going to see any rain on the lagoon. The water level was abnormally low almost like the winter pattern but with the recent afternoon storms its coming back to normal. Let's start with Tarpon they can still be found holding around the bridges and along the edge of the ICW. Your best bet is to get out early before the boat traffic starts. Swim baits and twitch baits are a good choice for artificial. If using live bait finger mullet and croakers are a go to bait. The trout and red fish bite are strong in the early morning using top water plugs and soft baits. These fish can also be taken on pin fish,croakers,and live shrimp. If constant action is more your style we have some large schools of jacks in the ICW feeding on the bait pods. They will hit almost anything you throw at them from topwater to spoons and you can not beat the fight that a jack gives pound for pound.
Good luck and be safe

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We have definitely had some strange weather this year between extreme cold and extreme heat. But I think we are back on track with things now. The Tarpon have moved in around the bridges and near shore chasing the schools of bait. Make sure you go prepared using heavier tackle like a 7' castaway rod with 5 to 6 thousand series reel spooled with 30lb braid and a 40lb flouracarbon leader. They can be caught on suspending hard baits and soft swim baits. The go to live baits would be croakers ,pin fish,and live mullet. For the red fish and trout bite it is red hot right now. They both can be found around the schools of bait in the lagoon early in the morning. As the sun gets higher and the water warms up look for the trout on the deeper grass flats. And the reds will be holding in deeper pot holes,edges and points. Top water plugs and soft plastics are a good choice for artificial and live mullet,pin fish, and pig fish for live bait. Just remember as warm as the water is take your time releasing these fish it makes for a better survivor rate.

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Usually by June we have already mentioned how good the trout have been biting and especially on top water. But this year it has seemed that everything is a month behind but that does not matter because the trout are definitely here and feeding. They can be caught on top water and soft plastics if the big gator trout are your thing then stick with live pig fish or finger mullet. The Tarpon have started to migrate up the east coast and can be found chasing the bait pods off the beach and working there way into the intracoastal around the bridges. The best time to target tarpon is low light situations like early morning or late evening. They can be taken on a variety of artificial baits from plugs to soft plastics. Red fish are still being found in schools through out the Lagoon along with singles. Look for the schools of bait and you will find the Reds they have been eating the crustaceans stirred by the bait like shrimp and small crabs. They have been eating soft plastics in a shrimp color and also live pin fish. Just remember with the temps rising in the 90s and the water temps not to far behind that take the time to revive these fish.
Good luck

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I thought that May weather would never show up but it has finally arrived. Let's start with the red fish they can still be found in schools holding in deeper holes and edges of the flat. I have also seen smaller pods of fish mixed in with schools of finger mullet feeding on the crustaceans the mullet have stir up. There has been a really strong shrimp run the last few weeks so live shrimp or shrimp imitation will be the key I have also produced a lot of strikes on aqua dream spoons. The trout bite has turned on strong they can be caught early morning with top water plugs on the shallow grass flats. For later in the day focus on the flats that are about two to three feet deep with grass and sand holes and use a popping cork with a shrimp or jerk bait. Let's finish up with Tarpon with the temps rising into the 90s we should be seeing the water temps rise above 75 by the end of the month. This will bring us our migration of tarpon up the east coast. If you can't make it out the inlet to chase the pods up and down the beachs don't worry some will migrate inshore. The best times are early morning or late evening to hook one of these monsters they will eat a variety of baits from hard baits to live finger mullet. Good luck and be safe!

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The start of April is usually a good time to pull the top water plugs out of the box. But due to the abnormal chill this year it seems that the patterns of our fish in the Lagoon are a month behind. The water temp is still in the mid to high 60s until that rises a few degrees the snook and trout bite will be a little sluggish. The red fish can still be found in schools through out the lagoon I have also noticed a lot of singles showing up on flats and points with moving water. These fish can be targeted with live shrimp,cut mullet,or cut lady fish. If artificial is more your thing then any kind of small soft plastic or a 1/4 ounce aqua dream spoon will do the trick. And to the black drum we still have some large schools in the south end of the Mosquito lagoon and the north end of the indian river lagoon. These fish can be taken on a gulp shrimp,live shrimp,or split blue crab and hang on there are some big ones out there.

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With spring in affect it seems that the time has changed but not the weather we are still getting hammered by fronts.But on the positive side the temps have rose to the lower seventies which has brought the water temps up on the flats.The fronts have brought some much needed rain to Central FL and with that have raised the water level in the lagoon by a couple of inchs.The trout bite is still a little slow due to the water temp so slow retrieves with a soft plastic is the key to trigger a bite, they can also still be found in the deeper holes and ledges adjacent to the flats.The redfish can still be found schooled up on the warm mud flats and sand holes through out the lagoon along with the black drum.I like to target the reds with a 7'med castaway rod rigged with a aqua dream spoon for long cast to advoid spooking the school. If live bait is your choice of weapon then this can be done with the same rod and change to a number 2 circle hook with a shrimp,cut mullet,lady fish or live mullet.The key is long cast to advoid geting to close to the school.If black drum is your thing then shrimp or pieces of blue crab will do the trick. Good luck and be safe!

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It has been a busy start to the month of March. Starting with the I F A redfish tour in Punta Gorda FL on the 6th. Finding the fish was not a problem but finding fish in the slot was. By the looks of the weigh in everyone else had the same issue. But there's always the next one I do want to say congrats to murphy and page. Now let's get to the lagoon, hopefully with the cold weather behind us we can work our way into the spring time routine. You can find schools of redfish all over the lagoon right now look for the mud and sand bottom and you should find them. The trout are still holding in the deeper water due to the colder water temps just remember these fish took a beaten during the freeze so handle with care. If black drum are more your style then we have some schools of them around also look for the larger sand holes with shell and oyster bottom.
Good luck and be safe

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Let's start by saying someone has made the fish gods angry due to the weather we have been handed this winter. But with the start of March hopefully brings better weather. We had the start of the I F A tournament trail out of Jacksonville this past Sat unfortunately the weather was not the best for the guys but I did receive some reports of 7lb fish being weighed that's great. With the water being as low as it is in the lagoon it has forced the red fish into there winter time schools. The water temp is still in the 50s so no need to be on the water until the sun gets high in the sky to warm the flats a little. This time of year is great for those who love too sleep in. The trout bite is still holding strong focus on deep edges with a slow retrieve of either soft plastic or diving plug. Small shrimp imitation or live shrimp with a split shot presented slowly will produce the red fish bite. Remember this time of year if you think you are fishing to slow then slow it down another notch they are not going to be aggressive but they will eat. I need to thank my friend Steve Chapman for the invite on the Boo Dreaux's Boon Docques Fishing Show. I had a great time talking fishing and promoting my great sponsors.

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Finally with a break in the artic weather there was a chance for some really good sight fishing. We left the ramp around 10am letting the sun get high in the sky to warm the flats up do to the 52 degree water temp. The fish seem to be in there winter time patterns holding in deeper sand holes and later in the day on the edges. With the water being crystal clear long cast and slow retrieves are a must. I accomplish this by using a 7' medium castaway rod and either a small soft plastic or bouncing a aqua dream spoon off the bottom. For you live bait guys a shrimp or cut bait soaking on the bottom will work just as well. The water has dropped several inches over the past couple of weeks so be careful when cruising to your favorite honey hole. Good luck.

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As everyone knows this time of year the weather is not to stable so you have to be pretty flexable on when you can get on the water.I call it weather watching but it pays off for a good day of fishing.The water has drop and cleared up nicely making it easier to locate schools of redfish. Being able to reach them is a different story unless you have the right skiff like a ECC lostmen.The trout bite is still active but long cast and stealth approach is needed to have a chance with the gators.I have been using a 7' castaway
spinning rod for the long cast with live shrimp for larger trout and a red & silver aqua dream spoon for the reds.

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This time of year is hands down the best time to fish the Lagoon because of the crystal clear water,schooling redfish,and sometimes cooler but nice weather. But you do have to keep in mind that we are still recieving at least one front a week so plan your trips around the weather.The water temp is cool enough that getting on the water in the late morning is advised. Look for the redfish to be holding on large sand holes,sand bars,and mud flats.The trout on the other hand can be found in the deeper holes and on the shallow flats later in the day.Live shrimp and soft plastics are the go to baits for this time of year with a slow retreive.

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Hey Everyone!
Let me start by saying Sorry, I know it's been a while since the last Lagoon report. As many people know winter has set in and a little to hard. We had lows for many days in the 20's which caused our Snook and Trout population to take a drastic hit. I seen so many floating...it is sad! But what is worse is the people that are taking advantage of this by going out there and picking up the ones that are floating and fileting them at the docks and leaving the carcass' behind. They give us fishermen a bad name! The good news is that the Redfish have got into their winter patterns but with the temp change in the water it will take a few days of warmer weather to turn the bite on. When the bite does turn on, Patience and Slow presentation is a must. Hopefully the extreme weather is in the past and we can get focused on the year to come. I am ready for what 2010 has to bring!
Capt Patrick Rood

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Finally with the cooler weather upon us the water has cleared and the fish have started their winter patterns. Leaving the ramp around 7am on the 30th the temp was about 44 degrees and I was hoping the weather man was right that it would get in the 70's and for once he was. We started by targeting a couple of schools of redfish holding on a mud flat but no luck there they did not want to play.From there we got on another school that was alot less spooky and had some good luck.From there we decided to go get on some trout so we targeted some drop offs and ended the day by boating several trout. It was diff a great time on the water with Chris and his son William I always love seeing children enjoy the sport of fishing and boating their first saltwater fish good job guys.

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Started the day by wearing a pair of Longjohns, Winter Coat and as much as I could put on...due to the fact that it was 38 degrees. I picked my clients up at River Breeze boat ramp at 8 am, They had a look on there face of doubt due to the weather. But as soon as we got to the first flat and a school of about 30 redfish rose up then it turned to amazement. We proceeded to pull a couple of fish off that school and moved on to a few more schools. But the highlight of the trip was watching the son sight cast a single in about 7 inches of water and hang on for the E ticket ride. The look on his face is the reason I do this each day! The weather was cold, windy and miserable but we over came the obstacles and boated some really nice fish. Thanks for a great day of fishing guys! Hope to see you back soon!

Capt Patrick Rood

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Dec the 14th
I needed to get out to pre fish for a charter and to my surprise my wife wanted to come along.We got to the ramp at about 9am and headed to a island in the lagoon that has been holding a school of fish off the point on a bar.I staked the skiff off up wind from the bar and had my wife pitching a gulp shrimp back across the bar and first cast hooked up and the trash talking began.She was upset but we move to another flat where the water was flowing across at a steady pace and keeping the sun to our backs she was picking them off one at a time. So needless to say I heard it all day long about being out fished. But the funny thing is that in her eyes it doesn't count that I had a push pole in my hands the whole day. I couldn't think of another person I would rather be out fished by.

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After a cold front moved threw on Thurs. the wind and rain came with it and stayed with us until Sunday.The tempature dropped down into the forties and the wind was still blowing about ten to fifteen out of the north but we already put the trip off for a few days so it was game on.We left the ramp at about 9 am and proceeded to target the leeward side of some islands with the sun to our backs we sight casted gulp shrimp to several single redfish.After boating a few singles I proceeded to move us to a point that had a bar on the end of it. The water was being pushed across the bar by the wind and there was a school of about twenty redfish holding on the bar.I staked off up wind of the bar and driffted the baits back across the bar and they were diffinetly hungry.We ended the day with several redfish and a few trout along with a severe case of wind burn LOL.

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I started the morning by meeting my client at River Breeze boat ramp in Oak Hill.We both were bundled up like we were going skiing it was about 48 degrees and for a florida boy it was cold.The wind was blowing about 10 mph out of the north so we focused on some points where I new some reds were holding to try and stay out of the wind and like clock work it was one after another.After the sun got a little higher I proceeded to test the skills of my client by putting him on some fish to sight cast to and he past the test.We finished the day by picking up some over slot fish one 13lbs and the other 12lbs after that he was done.He boated 10 redfish and called uncle after the last two.I have noticed that the water has started to clear up nicely and the water should be dropping soon and the shrimp bite is diff. on.
Capt Patrick Rood

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The water temp has dropped and the bite is on.The lagoon is finally starting to clear and redfish are staring to school which makes for my favorite time of year.
Right now the water temp is just perfect for the top water bite,trout and redfish are both eating top water.Soon the water will start to lower and the fish will be found in the deeper pockets and on the shallow mud flats just be aware of the ares that use to have water will most likely be high and dry.This time of year also makes for great chances at tailing redfish with the lower water conditions which is always fun .December charters are filling quickly but still have some avaliable, also have gift certificates avaliable for the holidays.What better gift to give then a day on mosquito lagoon catching fish.

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Check back soon as reports will be updated and written.

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