Premium Trout & Black Drum Fishing in Mosquito Lagoon
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore charter targeting trout and black drum speciesCaptain Tony guides trips through prime Mosquito Lagoon watersTwoguest maximum ensures personalized fishing experience
Captain Tony knows every grass flat, oyster bar, and drop-off in Mosquito Lagoon like the back of his hand. This 6-hour charter targets some of Florida's most sought-after inshore species in waters that consistently produce trophy catches. You'll fish the pristine flats around New Smyrna Beach and work the productive edges of Mosquito Lagoon, where sea trout school up thick and black drum cruise the shallow waters. With space for just two anglers, this top-rated trip gives you personalized attention and puts you on fish that'll make your day memorable.
Your morning starts early when Captain Tony picks you up at the dock, boat loaded with everything you need for a successful day. The shallow draft skiff is perfect for navigating the skinny water where these fish love to hang out. You'll spend your time sight fishing the grass beds, working the mangrove shorelines, and targeting structure that holds baitfish. The lagoon system offers incredible variety - one minute you're casting to tailing redfish in two feet of water, the next you're working deeper channels where black drum patrol. Captain Tony reads the conditions and adjusts throughout the day, moving between spots based on tides, wind, and what the fish are telling him. This isn't a cookie-cutter trip - it's adaptive fishing at its finest.
All your gear is provided, from spinning rods matched to the conditions down to the tackle box full of proven baits. Captain Tony runs a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what's working best. Live shrimp fished under popping corks is deadly on sea trout, while cut bait on the bottom draws in those hefty black drum. For the redfish and snook, you might throw soft plastics along the mangroves or work topwater plugs over the grass flats when conditions are right. The boat is rigged with a Minn Kota trolling motor for silent approaches and has all the safety gear required by the Coast Guard. You'll learn techniques that work specifically in this system - how to read the water, where fish position based on tides, and which baits trigger strikes when others fail.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of Mosquito Lagoon, and for good reason. These spotted beauties run anywhere from keeper size up to trophy gator trout pushing 6-7 pounds. They school up over grass beds and around structure, feeding heavily on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though winter can produce some of the biggest fish of the year. What makes trout fishing here special is the sheer numbers - on a good day, you might boat 20-30 fish while working toward that personal best.
Black drum fishing in the lagoon is world-class, with fish ranging from puppy drum in the shallows to bull reds that'll test your drag system. These copper-colored fighters are notorious for their powerful runs and stubborn fights. They feed heavily on crabs and shrimp along oyster bars and grass edges, making them perfect targets for sight fishing. Fall and winter months typically produce the largest specimens, though you'll find good numbers year-round. Nothing beats watching a big drum cruise through clear water before making your cast.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and Mosquito Lagoon produces some beauties. These bronze-backed fighters love shallow water and aren't shy about showing themselves. You'll often see them tailing in the grass or cruising the mangrove edges looking for an easy meal. Reds in the 20-28 inch slot are common, with oversized bulls mixed in to keep things interesting. They're aggressive feeders and put up fights that'll leave your arms sore - in the best way possible.
Snook add an element of excitement to every trip with their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps. These ambush predators lurk around structure, waiting to slam whatever looks like food. The lagoon's mangrove shorelines and dock pilings hold good numbers, especially during warmer months. Landing a slot snook requires skill and a little luck - they're notorious for throwing hooks and finding every piece of structure around. When you do land one, you'll understand why they're considered one of Florida's premier gamefish.
This customer favorite charter books up quickly, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is hot. Captain Tony's local knowledge and dedication to putting his clients on fish has earned him a reputation as one of the area's most reliable guides. The 6-hour format gives you plenty of time to work different spots and techniques while still getting you back to shore at a reasonable hour. Whether you're looking to check a new species off your list or hoping to land a personal best, this trip delivers the goods. Don't wait to secure your dates - the best fishing days fill up fast, and you don't want to miss out on what could be the trip of a lifetime.
Captain Tony's Mitzi 17' Tournament Boat is your ticket to the productive waters of New Smyrna Beach and Mosquito Lagoon. This well-rigged fishing machine comfortably handles up to 3 anglers while navigating the shallow flats and deeper channels where Sea Trout, Redfish, and Black Drum love to feed. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools and structure, while the GPS keeps you on the hottest spots throughout your 6-hour charter. An ice box ensures your catch stays fresh from hook to dock. Built for inshore fishing, this boat gets you into the skinny water where big fish hunt without spooking them. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing Redfish or working the grass beds for Trout, this setup puts you in prime position to make the most of Mosquito Lagoon's legendary fishing opportunities.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of the lagoon - strong, stubborn fighters that'll test your tackle. Most run 5-15 pounds, though we catch some real monsters over 30. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they root around for food. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning. What guests love about drum fishing is the steady, powerful fight - no flashy jumps, just pure muscle. The smaller ones make good eating with firm, white meat. My go-to tip: use fresh blue crab for bait and keep it right on the bottom. When you feel that steady thump-thump, don't set the hook too hard - let them load up first.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are what put our lagoon on the map - copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we catch plenty of oversized bulls too. They cruise the shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines in water so shallow their backs sometimes show. Fall and winter are peak seasons when they school up and feed heavily. What makes reds special is their power and the visual aspect - you'll often see them tailing or cruising in clear water. They're strong fighters and excellent eating in slot size. The key to consistent redfish success is staying quiet and making long, accurate casts. Here's my tip: look for nervous water or mud clouds - that's usually reds feeding and your best bet for action.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Mosquito Lagoon fishing. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches and love grass flats in 2-4 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods like dawn and dusk. What makes trout fishing fun is their willingness to hit topwater lures - nothing beats that surface explosion at sunrise. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Trout can be picky, so varying your retrieve speed is key. During colder weather, they school up in deeper pockets and creek bends. Here's my local trick: when the bite gets tough, switch to a slow-sinking soft plastic and work it just above the grass tops. The subtle action often triggers strikes when nothing else will.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are some of the most exciting fish you'll find in Mosquito Lagoon. These sleek predators typically run 1-3 feet long with that distinctive black lateral line and golden coloring. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and oyster bars in shallow water where they ambush baitfish. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially during moving tides. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and powerful runs - they'll jump and fight hard right to the boat. The meat is excellent eating too, white and flaky. Here's a local tip: cast your lure past the structure and work it back slowly along the edge. Snook are ambush feeders, so they're usually tucked tight to cover waiting for an easy meal.
New Smyrna Beach