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

February 26, 2025

2025 has been off to a frenetic pace! Busy calendars and great fishing! Redfish numbers in Mosquito Lagoon are the best I’ve seen in the past 10 years. There’s also lots of black drum schooling on the flats in Mosquito Lagoon and the Indian River Lagoon. Snook survived the little harsher than average winter with minor cold water die offs. If there’s one thing a little disappointing it’s the numbers of huge trout that are typical this time of year. But all signs are pointing to a banner spring and summer here around New Smyrna Beach on the east coast of Central Florida. Better not delay, only limited availability out through May and summer will be filling up before long.

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Mosquito Lagoon has been the place to be for big schools of redfish this winter. It’s definitely the best it’s been in since 2015. I’ve had all the schools I could pick through this winter on the flats and they were schools of hundreds! Most trips this year, up until last week, all landed 10+ redfish per day. But seasons are changing and the water is warming up and we’re seeing more water pushed in from Ponce Inlet. Schools of redfish that were 250+ fish are now breaking up into groups of 15-25+. Sight fishing remains exceptional with really clear water throughout the whole Lagoon system. As the water levels come up and it gets warmer we should see some really good tailing activity in the grass.

Been a lot of black drum on the flats in both Mosquito Lagoon and the Indian River Lagoon. Some of them are in the 20-30 pound range while most are in the 5-10 pound range. They are still in big schools of hundreds of fish and make great opportunities when sight fishing as a change of pace fish. They will be in good numbers throughout the spring.

With the increased daylight and warmer water the snook are getting more active around New Smyrna Beach and Mosquito Lagoon after somewhat of a harsh winter for them. Snook starting dying here if the water gets under 50 degrees and we had a couple mornings in January where the water temp dipped to 48 and we found some dead snook and small tarpon in a few areas. But it’s been on warming trend lately and we can usually find some willing to bite each day.

Haven't seen really strong numbers of big speckled trout in Mosquito Lagoon area this winter. Typically we come across flats with several huge trout when it’s colder and while we are seeing some, it’s definitely not many. We found lots of smaller guys up to 20 inches this winter in the deep holes so let’s hope we see those fish growing up into big ones over the next few years. Things will likely really pick up for us catching speckled trout in the Lagoons as we get into the summer months.

Only have 3 dates available for March, 8 dates available for April, and 12 dates remaining open for May. So don’t try and wait till the last minute for a charter during spring break season. Don’t wait to get on the calendar. Text me or call me at 386-212-4931 or even send me an 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.