This past week has been a whirlwind of weather conditions throughout Central FL. We have gone from highs in the mid 70’s to highs in the mid 50’s for a few days with rain. Needless to say the fish in and around the New Smyrna Beach area have been a little confused for a couple of days but are not getting in their winter time patterns. With the cooler water temperatures a extremely early start is not necessary as they are not getting active until it warms up a bit.

The redfish and trout have been holding on the shallow mud and sand bottom gathering warmth and feeding as the opportunity arises. The black drum have been in good numbers throughout Mosquito Lagoon schooling and feeding along the shell bottom. You can find snook holding along deeper shorelines in good numbers trying to fight off the cooler water temps but until water temps rise getting them to eat will be hard. Shrimp and artificials that look and act like shrimp have been the go to baits this past week. It looks like a warming trend is around the corner but only after another belt of cold hitting us this weekend.

Capt Patrick Rood
www.spotntailcharters.com
(386)566-1394

The fish in the New Smyrna Beach and Mosquito Lagoon waters got a little shell shocked this week. With the passing of this recent cold front it has brought the air temps and water temps down quite a bit. It takes a few days for the fish to adjust and get into their winter time patterns. It looks like we will have a reassuring front later this week which should lock our fish into their winter time pattern bringing back a consistent bite. In these cooler temps finger mullet and shrimp have been the go to baits. Look for trout, redfish and black drum in the shallows throughout the day gathering warmth from the mud or sand bottom. The snook and mangrove snapper have been holding in the deeper waters looking for a easy meal. 

Capt Patrick Rood
www.spotntailcharters.com
(386)566-1394

It seems as though winter has finally arrived here in the New Smyrna Beach area. We will be dealing with the cooler temperatures for the rest of the week. The good news on the cooler temps is that it should push the fish into their winter time patterns. Look for the trout and redfish to be holding on and around the sand holes and mud flats mixed in with schools of bait. The snook , black drum and sheepshead can be found lurking in and around the deeper shorelines. Shrimp and finger mullet have been working well throughout the waters of Mosquito Lagoon as spoons and plugs doing the same further north around the oyster beds. As the water temps start to level off look for the bite to only get better.

Capt Patrick Rood
www.spotntailcharters.com
(386)566-1394

The weather this past week or so for the holidays was definitely warmer than expected but made for some great outdoor activities. We had quite a bit of boat traffic throughout the New Smyrna Beach waters and Mosquito Lagoon over the holiday week. The fishing has continued to stay strong with several species coming boat side. We have had a little front come in to town to cool things down a bit which will only make the bite that much better. The shallow water bite for redfish, black drum and snook has been working well with artificials and live bait. Soft plastics , spoons and plugs have been working well and live finger mullet and live shrimp just as good. Looks like the weather should be stable for the few days making for the bite to continue to be strong.

Capt Patrick Rood
www.spotntailcharters.com
(386)566-1394