5.0(1 Reviews)Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Charters | 3 Hour Charter
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Threehour inshore fishing adventure in pristine Mosquito Lagoon watersTarget redfish, snook, and trout with experienced Captain MattSmall group charter accommodates up to two guests maximum
Looking for a solid day on the water in one of Florida's most productive shallow-water fisheries? Captain Matt's got you covered with a focused 3-hour charter that puts you right where the fish are biting. Mosquito Lagoon isn't just another pretty spot – it's a legendary inshore destination where redfish cruise the flats and snook ambush bait in the shadows. This top-rated charter keeps things intimate with just 2 anglers max, so you're not fighting for casting room or waiting your turn to work that perfect piece of structure. Whether you've been throwing lines for decades or you're still figuring out which end of the rod to hold, Captain Matt knows how to put everyone on fish and make sure you walk away with some solid stories.
Your morning kicks off with Captain Matt sizing up the conditions and game-planning your attack. Mosquito Lagoon's shallow waters and grass flats create the perfect storm for sight fishing, and when the sun's right, you'll be picking off individual fish like you're shopping at the seafood counter. The beauty of a 3-hour trip is that it's long enough to hit multiple spots but short enough to keep the energy high the whole time. You'll be working everything from oyster bars to mangrove shorelines, and Captain Matt's got the local knowledge to put you on the most productive water for the day's conditions. Don't worry about bringing tackle – everything's provided, though feel free to bring your lucky rod if you've got one. The boat's rigged for sight fishing and blind casting, so you'll be ready whether the fish are showing themselves or playing hard to get.
Inshore fishing in Mosquito Lagoon is all about reading the water and matching your presentation to what the fish want. You'll be throwing everything from topwater plugs at first light to soft plastics when the bite gets finicky. Captain Matt's boat comes loaded with spinning gear that can handle everything from schoolie trout to bull redfish, plus a selection of lures that have been proven winners in these waters. Sight fishing is the name of the game when conditions allow – nothing beats watching a big red cruise up to your bait and absolutely crushing it. When the fish aren't showing, you'll be working structure and grass edges with jigs and live bait, letting your offerings drift naturally with the current. The shallow draft boat gets you into places where bigger vessels can't go, accessing those back-country spots where the fish feel safe and feed aggressively.
"Capt Matt always puts us on fish..Whether you are successful is up to you..We delivered 1 (29" Red" ) landed 4 others that we couldn't get in the boat..We will be back again next year." - Ed
Redfish are the bread and butter of Mosquito Lagoon, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow grass flats and oyster bars that make up most of the lagoon. You'll find them tailing in inches of water during the warmer months, their backs practically out of the water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. Fall and spring are prime time for big schools of reds, but even in summer and winter, you can count on finding fish if you know where to look. What makes reds so fun is their attitude – they hit hard, run strong, and put up a fight that'll test your drag system. Plus, they're gorgeous fish with those distinctive black spots and bronze coloring that photographs beautifully.
Snook are the smart guys of the lagoon, lurking around docks, mangrove overhangs, and bridge pilings where they can ambush passing baitfish. These silver-sided predators are structure-oriented, so you'll be making precise casts to specific spots rather than covering water randomly. Summer is prime snook season when they're most active, but you can find them year-round if you know their haunts. What makes snook fishing so addictive is the challenge – they're picky eaters with excellent eyesight, so your presentation has to be on point. When you do hook one, get ready for some serious acrobatics as they jump and thrash trying to throw the hook.
Sea Trout might be the most cooperative fish in the lagoon, making them perfect for newer anglers or anyone looking for consistent action. These spotted beauties school up over grass beds and sandy holes, often in water shallow enough to sight fish. Spring and fall offer the best trout fishing, but summer mornings and winter warm spells can produce excellent action too. Trout have soft mouths, so you'll need to keep steady pressure without horsing them, but they're generally willing biters that respond well to both live and artificial baits. A good day on the trout grounds means non-stop action and a cooler full of excellent table fare.
Tarpon are the wildcards of Mosquito Lagoon – when they show up, everything else becomes secondary. These silver kings range from juvenile fish in the 10-20 pound class to massive adults that can top 100 pounds. Summer brings the most consistent tarpon action, especially around the inlet areas where they stage before moving offshore. What makes tarpon so special isn't just their size, but their aerial displays. When a tarpon goes airborne, rattling its gills and twisting like a chrome torpedo, you'll understand why they're called the silver king. Even small tarpon jump like they're auditioning for a fishing show, making every hookup a memorable experience.
Southern Flounder are the bottom-dwelling tricksters that many anglers overlook, but they shouldn't. These flatfish hide in sandy spots and channel edges, perfectly camouflaged until they dart out to grab an unsuspecting bait. Fall is typically the best time for flounder as they begin their migration to deeper waters, but you can find them throughout the
Meet the Sundance, your perfect fishing partner for exploring Mosquito Lagoon's productive waters. This 20-foot skiff cuts through the shallows with ease, powered by a dependable 140 HP Suzuki that gets you to the fish fast. Built for serious anglers, she's equipped with everything you need: a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches to spooky redfish, GPS to mark your hotspots, and a fish finder to locate those holding trout and snook. The onboard bait tank keeps your live shrimp frisky all day long. With room for 2 anglers plus Captain Matt, you'll have plenty of casting space without bumping elbows. Whether you're sight-fishing the flats or working the mangrove edges, this 2023 skiff handles like a dream and gets you into those skinny water spots where the big fish hide. Ready to put some bend in your rod?
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of Mosquito Lagoon fishing. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 18-27 inches in the slot, though we see plenty of oversized fish too. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes with their backs out of the water - around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and winter offer some of the best action when they school up. What guests love is their powerful runs and how they'll eat almost anything - live shrimp, cut bait, or artificials. Plus they're excellent eating. Here's the key: make long, quiet casts and let your bait settle. Redfish are spooky in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are one of our most reliable species year-round. These silvery fish with black spots typically run 14-18 inches, with occasional fish pushing 20+ inches. They love grass flats, sandy potholes, and shallow bay areas in 2-6 feet of water. Cool weather months are fantastic as they school up in deeper channels. What makes them popular is their willingness to bite and excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also great for beginners since they're forgiving fighters. My local trick: look for nervous water or bait activity on the flats. Throw a soft plastic jig head with a shrimp tail and work it slow.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the poster fish of Florida inshore fishing, and for good reason. These sleek silver fish with that bold black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches in our waters, though trophy fish can hit 35+ inches. They love structure - mangroves, docks, bridge pilings, and grass edges where they ambush baitfish. Spring through fall is peak season, especially around new and full moons. What makes them special is their explosive strike and aerial fights, plus they're great table fare with firm white meat. They're finicky feeders though - one day they want topwater, the next day live shrimp. Here's my go-to tip: cast past the structure and work your lure back toward it. That's where they'll hit.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, oval-shaped fish are some of the coolest predators in Mosquito Lagoon. You'll recognize them by both eyes sitting on their left side and those distinctive dark blotches across their body. Most run 15-18 inches, but we've seen some push 25+ inches. They're masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud bottoms waiting to ambush shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall through early spring is prime time when they're most active. What makes them special is their sneaky fight - they don't jump like other fish, but they'll give you a solid tug and are fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. My tip: work your bait slow along the bottom and watch for that subtle tap-tap bite.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - pure silver rockets that can reach 6+ feet and 200 pounds. Most fish we see in Mosquito Lagoon run 40-80 pounds, which is plenty to test your skills. They patrol shallow flats, channels, and bridge areas, often rolling on the surface to gulp air. Late spring through summer is prime time, especially on moving tides. What makes them legendary is their acrobatics - these fish will jump 8 feet out of the water multiple times during a fight. We practice catch and release since they're not great eating due to their bony meat. Pro tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip. It prevents the line from snapping on a tight jump.
5.0 out of 5.0Capt Matt always puts us on fish..Whether you are successful is up to you..We delivered 1 (29” Red” ) landed 4 others that we coul...
New Smyrna Beach, FL