New Smyrna Beach Area, Indian River Lagoon, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report

August 16, 2015

Winding down the summer months now that kids have gone back to school. Give it about 6 more weeks and we’ll start to see the first cold fronts of the year dipping down this way. The end of summer transition means big tides bring in higher water and soon a fall bait migration. We never have a slow time for fishing, just varies what we fish for and/or where. For the next 6 weeks it’s gonna be all about redfish, trout and tarpon.

Fishing for Speckled Trout has been the best thing going. We’re catching 15-25 trout a day from 12-20” on deeper edges in the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River Lagoon, as well as around flooded oyster mounds or structure in the New Smyrna Beach/Ponce Inlet area. Sticking the occasional 4-7 pound trout here and there. Pigfish continue to be what’s putting them in the boat. At times blind casting soft plastic jerk baits and plugs around schools of mullet have worked too.

Fishing for Redfish has been between one of two choices…go after big bull 20-40 pound reds in the ICW at, or moving towards, Ponce Inlet; or sight cast smaller 4-7 pound redfish on shallow grass flats or high water shorelines in the Mosquito Lagoon. Redfish are gearing up to spawn the next few months so the adult fish are congregating in deeper water where as smaller fish are feeding on shrimp, crabs and mud minnows in areas that have recently flooded with the higher water. We’ve been sight casting with a mix of cut bait and lures, where as in deeper water we are soaking or drifting live baits for trophy size fish. The story will remain the same till for redfish over the next 2-3 months.

Much of our inshore Tarpon action has been limited the last few weeks with persistent west winds. It’s making fish tough to find and stay on in the deeper bays and in the ICW. There’s a lot around, but they’ve become quite widespread and not grouped in any strong numbers. We jumped 15 or so last month that ranged from 50-80 pounds. Haven’t seen any 100 pound fish yet, but normally don’t till we get into this month. It should remain good fishing for them through first week of October then majority will head south when the cold fronts move in.

Still coming across the occasional Snook. During the summer months here they are widely scattered and tough to predict or target. There are certainly areas where we usually find them or can take a try, but most of the ones we caught during the past month we caught them while trout or redfish fishing.  As get into late October and November things will really pick up for targeting big snook up to 15 pounds and catching lots of them.

Still have a few good openings in August. Several good dates open in September, so I’ve got a little flexibility in the calendar. I take last second scheduling if I have open days. Call me at 386-212-4931 or email to secure a date. Read my fishing charter page to view the top reasons why you should book your trip with me today. I look forward to fishing with you soon…