Mosquito Lagoon August Report

The sight-fishing for redfish has been very consistent, with dozens to more than a hundred of redfish seen nearly every trip. Getting them to bite hasn't always been easy, especially on very sunny days with little wind. However, multiple fish have been hooked every trip. Earlier in the summer, most redfish were found tailing or cruising slowly in the shallow grass flats, likely feeding more on invertebrates. Now, baitfish are very abundant, and when the redfish aren't showing themselves by tailing, they can reliably be found hunting whitebait along the mangrove shorelines. This makes for favorable sight-fishing conditions on the leeward side of any shoreline. Water temperatures have been getting into the 90s every afternoon, making proximity to deeper, slightly cooler water, more important. The redfish aren't actively feeding in the stagnant, really shallow grass flats in this kind of heat. Again, shorelines with shade and those that are adjacent to deeper channels have been most productive in the afternoon--if we the anglers can even stand the heat! The most consistent offering has been a Texas-rigged Gulp shrimp on a 1/8 oz weight and 15-lb flourocarbon leader. Brighter, contrasting colors are better when the fish are feeding with their heads in the grass, or on more overcast days. Warier fish and clear sky conditions have to be met with more natural patterns. Lately, I've found that a 2" Gulp shrimp in the New Penny color fished about eight inches under a small slip float has been an effective way to present a lure that keeps in from fouling in the grass and presents the lure at eye-height. It also ensures the angler knows where the lure is in relation to the fish. Cast beyond the target and then reel the lure stealthily into position by adjusting where the rod is pointed. When blind-casting during first light and in overcast conditions when sight-fishing isn't as favorable, the Z-Man Kicker Crabz on a 1/16 oz Texas rig, as well as a Zara Super Spook Junior, has produced trout bites over patchier grass in 1.5' to 2' depths.