Fishing With Spoiler Shad

Trout fishing with spoiler shad baits has become a big thing with me lately.

It seems that almost every time I hit the river or the Mosquito Lagoon, the Creme spoiler shad is the first choice of baits.

This afternoon, my wife and Elmo didn't feel like fishing with me so I hit Bio Lab road and fished the shallows of the Mosquito Lagoon.

I began wade fishing about a quarter mile from the boat launch and about 50 yards from the bank.

The sea trout were hitting the 3" blue back spoiler shad that I was using but they were all smaller slot sized fish.

I was hoping for a red but I never got a hookup so after an hour or so, I trudged back to the truck and headed for the Indian River where I saw some big gator trout in an area last week.

On the way into the refuge, I spotted a huge solitary wild boar that had to go over 200 pounds.  I tried to get a good pic but only managed the out of focus shot below.

Moving to my usual fishing spots turned out to be a bummer.

I used the same baits but only got a few taps from smaller fish in the marsh canals.

The water was dead calm and the gators were out in force.

The big gator in the short video above prevented me from fishing one of my favorite spots but it really didn't matter much.

I only managed to pick up one small sea trout in the area and spooked a couple of nice reds.

Fishing with spoiler shad paddle tail baits isn't always a sure bet, but they do usually catch sea trout and redfish in the preserve.

Till next time,

Tight Lines.

April Gator Trout Fishing

Early spring fishing in central Florida's Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River systems is noted for producing huge Gator trout. In normal years, April would hail the mullet migration into the estuaries, however this year the silver schools may be running a bit late.

The abnormally low water levels that we experienced this year, cleaned out the river system and produced the crystal clear waters which is good for the estuary.

The February and March low water conditions provided some incredible sight fishing opportunities for gator sea trout in the sandy pockets of the Mosquito Lagoon's grass flats, and also for early morning tailing redfish on the shallow flats.

The fly fishermen in particular did quite well, using stealthy approaches, and making long casts, to fish in crystal clear water less than a foot deep, in many locations.

If the rains begin on time, and the water levels start rising,we should see some great trout fishing this April.

Egg laden female gator trout of up to 3 feet long will be spawning in the shallows before the new and full moons and chasing silver mullet schools all over the place. This is really the best time of year for anyone interested in snagging a trophy trout.

Early morning and late evening fishing with top water skitter walks or chug bug lures will get you some action with the trout and redfish if they are in the area.

Don't forget the huge schools of redfish. The rising water usually draws slot size schools of reds into the shallow flats to feed. Larger "bull redfish" are often cruising the sand bars and deeper areas just off the flats.

As the sun warms the water, you can easily see the redfish tailing in the shallows and grabbing a bite to eat.

I am eagerly waiting for April's showers .....

Tight lines to you all!

Multi-spotted Redfish

Multi-spotted Redfish are occasionally caught and can win a fishing tournament if you catch a keeper at the right time.

I picked up this small multi-spotted redfish on a DOA shrimp fished in about three feet of water outside of the Whale's Tail grass flats.

This section of the Mosquito Lagoon has respectable fishing almost any time of the year.

This fish didn't qualify as a "Bull" redfish like some in this area; but on a tournament fishing day, it could possibly win you a nice prize.

Being out on the lagoon on a nice day just makes one happy to be alive in central Florida.

Hope you get to enjoy the same some day.

LUCK to you all and Tight Lines!

February Birdlife

These Pics were taken from the south end of Bio Lab road around the marsh areas, across from the Mosquito Lagoon.

The Rosette Spoonbills flock almost year round but are especially visible during February.

Birdwatchers from all over the country visit the southern flyway areas at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Preserve to view the animals and waterfowl.

The pictures of the Storks below were taken in a marsh area close to the road that provides access to Playalinda Beach.



Today my wife and I didn't bother with the fishing rods, we just wanted to get out of the house and enjoy the picturesque scenery available to us.

Till next time,
Tight Lines.