Mosquito Lagoon Inshore Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing trip in scenic Mosquito Lagoon waters.Targets Redfish and Speckled Trout using light tackle equipment.Licensed captain provides gear and expert fishing guidance.
Looking to escape Florida's summer heat while chasing some of the state's best inshore fish? This six-hour Mosquito Lagoon fishing trip puts you right in the heart of one of Florida's top shallow-water fisheries. You'll be targeting redfish, speckled trout, and whatever else is biting in these productive waters aboard a comfortable 22' Pathfinder designed specifically for inshore work. With room for up to two anglers, this isn't a crowded charter boat experience – it's your chance to fish like a local with a licensed captain who knows exactly where the fish are holding.
Mosquito Lagoon is famous among Florida anglers for good reason. These shallow, grass-covered flats stay relatively calm even when the ocean's rough, making it perfect for light tackle fishing. Your captain comes equipped with all the gear you'll need, from spinning reels spooled with braid to a selection of soft plastics and topwater plugs that drive inshore species crazy. The 22' Pathfinder gives you the perfect platform – shallow enough draft to get into skinny water where big fish feed, but stable enough to cast comfortably all day. Expect to cover different types of structure throughout the trip, from oyster bars where sheepshead hang out to grass flats where redfish cruise looking for crabs. The morning bite tends to be strongest, but afternoon sessions can be just as productive, especially when targeting trout in deeper pockets.
This trip is all about finesse fishing with light tackle gear that lets you feel every bump and headshake. Your captain will have you throwing everything from DOA shrimp under popping corks to paddle-tail soft plastics worked slowly across the grass. Sight fishing is a big part of the Mosquito Lagoon experience – when conditions are right, you'll actually see redfish tailing in the shallows or cruising just under the surface. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts to feeding fish without spooking them. Your guide will position the boat using a trolling motor to stay stealthy, then coach you through the cast and retrieve. Don't worry if you're new to this style of fishing – the captain provides expert instruction on everything from proper drag settings to reading the water. The lagoon's structure varies from hard sand bottom to thick grass beds, so you'll learn to adjust your presentation based on what's below.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Mosquito Lagoon, and these copper-colored bruisers are here year-round. They average 18 to 27 inches in the lagoon, with plenty of slot-sized fish that fight like they're twice their size. Redfish love the shallow grass flats where they root around for crabs and shrimp, often giving themselves away by pushing wakes or showing their tails above the surface. Fall and winter months tend to produce the most consistent action, but summer fishing can be fantastic early in the morning. What makes catching reds here so special is the sight fishing opportunities – there's nothing like watching a big red inhale your soft plastic in two feet of clear water.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are another Mosquito Lagoon staple that'll test your light tackle skills. These spotted predators typically run 14 to 20 inches, with the occasional gator trout pushing over 24 inches. They're most active during cooler months from October through March, when they school up in deeper holes and along channel edges. Specks are suckers for a well-presented soft plastic or topwater plug, and their initial run will get your heart pumping every time. The key is using a light drag since their mouths are relatively soft – too much pressure and you'll pull the hook right out.
Snook are the wildcards of this fishery, showing up when conditions are just right. These ambush predators love structure like docks, mangrove shorelines, and oyster bars where they can surprise unsuspecting baitfish. Summer months bring the best snook action in Mosquito Lagoon, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. A hooked snook will jump, run, and do everything possible to throw your lure, making them one of the most challenging and rewarding fish to land on light tackle.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but these bottom-dwelling bulldogs will give you an arm workout you won't forget. The lagoon holds both smaller "puppy" drum in the 12 to 16-inch range and occasional bull drum that can exceed 30 inches. They're year-round residents that love crab-flavored baits fished near oyster bars and hard bottom areas. Don't let their reputation as slow fighters fool you – a big black drum in shallow water will test your tackle and your patience.
Sheepshead round out the target species list as the lagoon's resident bait thieves. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs around structure. They're most active during winter months when they school up around bridges, docks, and oyster bars. Catching sheepshead requires patience and quick reflexes since they're notorious for stealing bait, but their firm white meat makes them worth the effort.
A Mosquito Lagoon fishing trip with Just Hooked Fishing Charters gives you access to one of Florida's most productive inshore fisheries with a captain who knows these waters inside and out. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add new species to your list or someone new to saltwater fishing, this six-hour adventure offers the perfect mix of scenic beauty and fish-catching action. The intimate two-person capacity means you'll get personalized instruction and plenty of opportunities to wet your line. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so once you're booke
Your fishing adventure runs on a purpose-built 22' Pathfinder flats boat, perfectly designed for navigating Mosquito Lagoon's shallow backwaters and hidden fishing spots. Powered by a reliable 200 HP Suzuki engine, this boat delivers smooth, quiet performance that won't spook the fish in these pristine waters. The spacious casting deck gives you and your fishing partner plenty of room to work your lines without getting tangled up. Built specifically for inshore fishing, the Pathfinder's shallow draft lets us slip into those hard-to-reach areas where the big redfish and speckled trout like to hang out. The boat handles beautifully in calm lagoon conditions, making it easy to position for the perfect cast while staying comfortable during your six-hour fishing adventure.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the flats, commonly running 10-30 pounds with some bruisers pushing 50+. These bottom-feeders cruise oyster bars, mudflats, and shallow grass beds where they root around for crabs and shellfish. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. What guests love is the bulldogging fight - these fish use their broad sides and weight to pull hard and steady. The smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make great table fare too. Pro tip: use fresh cut crab on a circle hook and fish it right on the bottom. When you feel that steady pull and hear the distinctive drumming sound, you've got one hooked.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of sight fishing, typically 18-28 inches with that copper-red color and signature black spot near the tail. These bruisers cruise super shallow flats, often with their backs out of water while tailing in the grass. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the biggest schools. What makes reds special is watching them eat your lure in crystal clear water - pure visual excitement. They fight like freight trains and make excellent table fare too. The secret is staying quiet and making long, accurate casts ahead of cruising fish. Gold spoons and topwater plugs work magic, but don't cast directly at them - lead them like a shotgun and let the lure intercept their path.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of grass flats fishing, running 12-20 inches with beautiful spotted sides. These schooling fish love shallow seagrass beds where they hunt shrimp and baitfish. Dawn and dusk produce the most action, especially on moving water. What guests enjoy is their willingness to bite artificials and their acrobatic jumps when hooked. They're also outstanding table fare with tender, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill. The key is working the grass edges where deep water meets shallow. Soft plastics on light jigheads work great - just bounce them slowly along the bottom. Watch for nervous water and diving birds to locate active schools.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, typically 2-5 pounds around docks and structure. These bait thieves have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs off pilings. Best fishing happens in cooler months when they move shallow to feed. What makes them fun is the challenge - they're notorious for stealing bait without getting hooked. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the water with sweet, flaky white meat. My go-to technique: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, keep your bait tight to the structure, and set the hook at the first tap. They're light biters, so stay alert and keep that bait pinned on tight.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of Florida's premier game fish, typically running 18-30 inches with that distinctive black lateral line and golden coloring. These ambush predators love structure - mangroves, docks, bridges, and creek mouths where they can dart out for baitfish. Peak action happens around dawn and dusk, especially during warmer months when they're most active. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and powerful runs that'll test your drag. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: when fishing around structure, cast your lure just upcurrent and let it drift naturally past the cover. Snook are spooky, so keep noise to a minimum and make accurate casts count.
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