Mosquito Lagoon Charter Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, trout, snook, and tarpon in diverse watersFive to six hour afternoon charter accommodates two guestsFish Mosquito Lagoon flats and backcountry with experienced guides
Looking for a world-class inshore fishing experience that lets you sleep in? This 5-6 hour Mosquito Lagoon charter is exactly what you need. We're talking about some of the best fishing waters in Florida, where the flats meet the backcountry and the fish are always biting. You'll start your day mid-morning, skip the crazy early wake-up call, and still get in on some serious action targeting redfish, trout, snook, and even tarpon. It's a customer favorite for good reason – the variety of species and terrain keeps things interesting from start to finish.
This charter runs 5-6 hours and accommodates up to 2 anglers, so you're getting a personalized experience without the crowd. We'll start on the shallow flats where redfish cruise and trout hang out in the grass beds. The morning bite can be fantastic, especially when the water temperature is just right and these fish are actively feeding. As the day progresses, we'll work our way into the backcountry areas where snook lurk around structure and black drum root around the bottom. The scenery changes throughout the trip – from open flats with crystal clear water to narrow creeks lined with mangroves. Mosquito Lagoon is part of the Canaveral National Seashore, so you're fishing in pristine waters that haven't been overdeveloped. Pack your own drinks and snacks since meals aren't included, and definitely bring a good hat and sunglasses. The sun reflects off that shallow water and can be brutal without proper protection.
We'll be sight fishing on the flats, which means spotting fish before you cast – it's like hunting with a fishing rod. When we're working the grass beds for trout, we'll use artificial lures like soft plastics and topwater plugs. For redfish, live bait like shrimp works great, but don't overlook the excitement of throwing a gold spoon at a tailing red. In the backcountry, we'll switch tactics completely. Snook love structure, so we'll be pitching baits around downed trees, docks, and mangrove overhangs. The water depth varies from 2 feet on the flats to 6-8 feet in some of the deeper cuts and channels. All tackle and equipment is provided, but if you have a lucky lure or favorite rod, feel free to bring it along. The key to success here is being quiet and staying alert – these fish are spooky in shallow water, and one wrong move can send them scattering.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Mosquito Lagoon fishing. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches and are available year-round, though fall and winter months offer some of the best action. They'll cruise the flats in small schools, and when you spot those bronze backs cutting through the water, your heart rate jumps. Redfish fight hard and don't give up easy – they'll make long runs and use their broad sides to pull drag. What makes them special here is how shallow they'll feed, sometimes with their backs out of the water while they root for crabs and shrimp.
Snook are the glamour fish of Florida inshore waters, and Mosquito Lagoon holds some beautiful specimens. They're more temperature sensitive than reds, so spring through fall offers the best opportunities. These ambush predators hide around structure and explode on baits with surprising violence. A good snook will jump multiple times and use every trick in the book to throw your hook. They've got that distinctive black lateral line and can reach 20-30 inches in these waters. The backcountry areas we'll fish later in the trip are perfect snook habitat.
Tarpon show up seasonally and provide some of the most exciting fishing you'll find anywhere. Even the juvenile tarpon in the lagoon – typically 10-40 pounds – will test your tackle and skills. They're silver rockets that launch themselves completely out of the water when hooked. Summer months bring the best tarpon action, and these fish are pure adrenaline. There's nothing quite like watching a tarpon crash your topwater lure at sunrise.
Southern Flounder are the masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting for prey to swim by. They're not the hardest fighters, but they're excellent table fare and fun to catch on light tackle. Fall and winter are prime time for flounder, and they'll often grab baits meant for other species. They can be surprisingly large – some pushing 3-4 pounds in these waters.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped bait thieves that'll test your patience and skills. They're notorious for stealing bait without getting hooked, but when you do connect, they're solid fighters. These fish have human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and crabs, and they're some of the best eating fish in the lagoon. Winter months are peak season when they move into shallower water to spawn.
This top-rated charter offers something most others don't – the flexibility to start later in the morning while still getting a full day of fishing. You're getting access to some of Florida's most renowned fishing waters with a guide who knows where the fish are holding. The variety keeps things interesting whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting into saltwater fishing. Between the sight fishing on the flats and the structure fishing in the backcountry, you'll learn techniques that'll make you a better angler. Plus, there's always the chance for that fish of a lifetime – tarpon, big snook, or a trophy red. Don't wait too long to book; the best dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. Contact Weird Water Fishing Charters today and secure your spot for this premier Mosquito Lagoon
The 2019 Beavertail Skiff cuts through Florida's shallow waters with serious fishing credentials. Powered by a reliable 60HP Suzuki engine, this sleek flats boat hits 35 knots when you need to chase down that perfect fishing spot on Mosquito Lagoon. Built for serious anglers targeting redfish and trout in skinny water, then transitioning to backcountry haunts where snook, black drum, and tarpon lurk. The GPS keeps you on track while the fish finder reveals what's swimming below. With space for just two anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work the flats without bumping elbows. This shallow-draft skiff gets you into those hard-to-reach honey holes where the big fish hide, then gets you back to the dock safely. Perfect for Florida's challenging inshore waters where precision boat handling makes the difference between going home with stories or going home with fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our flats fishing - copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but the oversized bulls can push 35+ inches and really test your tackle. They cruise super shallow water, often with backs exposed, hunting grass flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they school up. What makes them special is their willingness to eat topwater lures and their bulldogging fight once hooked. Plus, slot-sized fish are outstanding eating with firm, mild fillets. The key is sight fishing - look for tailing fish or wakes in skinny water, then place your lure well ahead of their path. They spook easily, so quiet approaches and accurate casts make all the difference.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese black-striped convicts are some of the smartest fish we target, famous for their human-like teeth and bait-stealing skills. They typically run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, though we occasionally land 8+ pounders around structure. Look for them on any hard bottom - bridge pilings, docks, rock piles, and oyster bars where they munch on barnacles and crabs. Winter through early spring is prime time when they school up heavy. Guests love the challenge since they're notorious for cleaning your hook without getting caught, plus they're top-shelf table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My secret: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and when you feel that subtle pecking, don't hesitate - set the hook hard and fast. Their crushers will straighten light wire, so stay sharp.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate backcountry predator with that signature black lateral stripe and aggressive attitude. Most fish we catch run 20-28 inches, perfect slot size, though the big girls can push 40+ inches and really test your drag. They love structure - mangroves, downed trees, dock pilings, and grass edges where baitfish get trapped. Warmer months are prime time, especially around new and full moons when they're actively feeding. What guests love most is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump, run, and use every trick to throw the hook. The meat is outstanding too, firm white fillets that grill perfectly. Here's my go-to technique: work your lure parallel to structure rather than away from it. Snook ambush from cover, so keep baits in the strike zone longer.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flatfish are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sand and mud on shallow bottoms throughout our lagoon system. Most run 15-18 inches, but we see plenty in the 3-5 pound range with occasional doormat-sized fish pushing 6+ pounds. They're ambush predators that love spots where current brings food - channel edges, grass bed transitions, and dock lights at night. Fall through early spring gives us the best action when they're fattening up before heading offshore. What makes them special is the challenge - they're sneaky biters and excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My tip: when drift fishing, keep your bait moving slowly along bottom structure. They'll follow before they bite, so patience pays off when you feel that subtle tap.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king is what fishing dreams are made of - these prehistoric giants average 80-150 pounds but can top 200 in our waters. They cruise shallow flats and deeper channels, often rolling on the surface as they gulp air. Late spring through summer is peak season when they migrate through our area, especially on moving tides around dawn and dusk. What hooks every angler is their raw power and aerial show - a hooked tarpon can jump 10 feet out of the water repeatedly. Most folks practice catch-and-release since the meat is bony and tough. The real reward is the battle and bragging rights. Pro tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. This keeps tension off the line and prevents them from throwing the hook on re-entry. It takes practice, but it's the difference between landing and losing these magnificent fish.
Oak Hill, FL, United States