Trout & Black Drum Fishing Trip in Mosquito Lagoon
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Sea Trout, Redfish, and Black Drum in productive watersSix-hour inshore charter accommodates up to two guests maximumCaptain Tony guides through prime New Smyrna Beach fishing spots
Looking for some serious saltwater action without heading way offshore? Captain Tony's got you covered with this top-rated 6-hour charter that puts you right in the heart of some of Florida's best inshore fishing. You'll be working the flats and channels around New Smyrna Beach and Mosquito Lagoon, where the water's clear, the fish are hungry, and the scenery's pretty darn good too. This isn't your average tourist fishing trip – we're talking about getting into some real fish in waters that consistently produce year-round. With just 2 spots available, you're getting that personalized attention that makes all the difference between going home with stories and going home with fish.
Captain Tony knows these waters like the back of his hand, and that shows from the moment you step aboard. We'll be targeting the grass flats, oyster bars, and deeper channels where Sea Trout, Redfish, Black Drum, and Snook like to hang out. The lagoon system here is world-class for a reason – it's got the perfect mix of structure, bait, and tidal flow that keeps the fish active. You'll spend your day sight fishing the shallows when conditions are right, or working the deeper water when the fish have moved off the flats. The bite can happen anywhere from 2 feet of water to 8 feet, so you're constantly adjusting your approach. That's what makes this fishery so exciting – no two trips are exactly the same, and the fish keep you guessing all day long.
We're running light tackle here, which means you'll feel every headshake and run these fish give you. Captain Tony sets you up with spinning gear that's perfect for throwing live bait, soft plastics, and topwater plugs depending on what the fish want that day. You might be pitching live shrimp under mangrove overhangs for Snook, or working paddle tail jigs along grass edges for Trout. When the Black Drum are schooled up, we'll drop down with cut bait and let them find us. The beauty of this fishery is the variety – one minute you're sight casting to tailing Redfish in 18 inches of water, the next you're working a deeper channel where anything could grab your bait. All tackle and bait are included, so you just need to bring yourself and be ready to learn a few tricks from someone who's been working these waters for years.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason. These spotted beauties love the grass flats around Mosquito Lagoon, especially during the cooler months when they school up in deeper holes. They hit topwater baits like they're mad at them, and on light tackle, even a 3-pound Trout will give you a fight you'll remember. The best part? They're pretty cooperative most of the year, though spring and fall are when you'll find the bigger fish moving shallow to feed.
Black Drum might not be the prettiest fish in the lagoon, but they'll test your drag system like nothing else. These bottom-huggers can push 40+ pounds in these waters, and when one decides it doesn't want to come to the boat, you'll know about it. They're most active during the cooler months and love to cruise the oyster bars and deeper channels. The fight is all about power – no fancy jumps, just pure bulldogging strength that'll make your arms burn.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing down here, and Mosquito Lagoon serves them up reliably. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow water, and there's nothing like watching a big Red's back come out of the water as it crushes a topwater bait in 2 feet of water. They're year-round residents, but fall brings the bigger fish into the shallows as they prepare for their offshore spawning runs. A slot-sized Red on light tackle is pure magic.
Snook are the wild card that can make any trip special. These ambush predators love structure – docks, mangroves, bridge pilings – anywhere they can hide and attack bait fish. They're incredibly strong for their size and known for their gill-rattling jumps when hooked. Summer brings the best Snook fishing, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. Captain Tony definitely knows where to look.
This 6-hour charter gives you the perfect amount of time to really get into the rhythm of the fishery without feeling rushed. With only 2 anglers per trip, you're getting that personalized attention that separates the good guides from the great ones. Captain Tony's been putting people on fish in these waters for years, and his repeat customer rate speaks for itself. Whether you're looking to learn new techniques, target a specific species, or just spend a day on the water catching fish, this trip delivers. The lagoon system around New Smyrna Beach is renowned for a reason, and there's no better way to experience it than with someone who lives and breathes these waters. Don't wait too long to book – the best dates fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing's hot and everyone wants in on the action.
Captain Tony's Mitzi 17' Tournament Boat is your ticket to prime fishing waters around New Smyrna Beach and Mosquito Lagoon. This compact but capable boat handles up to 3 anglers comfortably while getting you to those productive spots where Sea Trout, Redfish, and Black Drum are biting. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, while GPS navigation ensures we hit all the honey holes efficiently. An ice box keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 6-hour charter. Built for inshore fishing, this boat draws shallow enough to work the flats and grass beds where the big ones hide, yet stable enough for open water when we need to chase the action. Whether you're targeting speckled trout over grass or hunting Black Drum around structure, this setup gets the job done.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Mosquito Lagoon, and they'll test your tackle like no other fish. Most run 5-15 pounds, but we regularly see 20-30 pounders that'll make your drag scream. These powerful fish cruise oyster bars, mud flats, and shallow grass beds looking for crabs and shrimp. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll find the biggest concentrations. What guests love about drum fishing is the raw power; these fish don't jump much, but they'll pull like a freight train and make long, steady runs. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating with firm, white meat. Here's my go-to trick: use fresh crab on a circle hook and let it sit on the bottom near oyster beds. When you feel that steady pull, don't set the hook hard - just start reeling and let the circle hook do its job.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of sight fishing in Mosquito Lagoon. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches in our shallow waters, with that telltale black spot near their tail making them easy to identify. They cruise oyster bars, mangrove shorelines, and grass flats in water so shallow their backs sometimes break the surface. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and winter offer the best chances at bigger fish. What makes reds special is watching them hunt in skinny water - it's like hunting with a fishing rod. They're strong fighters that make blistering runs and their meat has a sweet, mild flavor that's hard to beat. The trick to fooling lagoon reds is staying quiet and making accurate casts ahead of cruising fish. I tell clients to lead them by 10-15 feet with a gold spoon or soft plastic, then work it slowly across their path. Patience pays off big time with these fish.
Salmo TruttaSea trout are the bread and butter of our lagoon fishing, and they're perfect for anglers of all skill levels. Most specks we catch run 14-20 inches, with plenty of keeper-sized fish year-round. They love grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around deeper potholes and drop-offs. Cool weather from fall through early spring really fires them up, and they'll often school in deeper channels during winter months. Guests appreciate how readily trout bite and their scrappy fight with those distinctive head shakes. They're also some of the best eating fish we catch - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. The key to consistent trout fishing here is working soft plastics or live shrimp slowly along the grass edges. My favorite technique is a 1/8 oz jig head with a paddle tail, bounced just over the grass tops. When you find one trout, work that area thoroughly because they usually travel in groups.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most sought-after gamefish in our waters, and for good reason. These sleek, golden fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches here in Mosquito Lagoon, though we occasionally hook into monsters pushing 40+ inches. They love hanging around mangroves, docks, and oyster bars in shallow water, usually 2-6 feet deep. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around the new and full moons when they're spawning. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll jump, run, and try every trick to throw your hook. The meat is excellent too, white and flaky when prepared right. Here's a local tip: cast your lure past the structure and work it back through the strike zone slowly. Snook are ambush predators, so they want that bait coming right to them.
New Smyrna Beach