New Smyrna Beach Area - Indian River Lagoon - Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report

December 6, 2017

We are about the wrap up 2017, and the fishing couldn’t get much better over the past couple weeks. Fishing in Mosquito Lagoon and the North Indian River Lagoon has been outstanding. My fishing charters in the lagoons have found black drum schooled up by the hundreds, bull redfish and smaller redfish schooled up and tailing on flats, and loads of snook in winter-time holes. December is close to being full booked, don’t wait till last minute for a holiday season charter!!!

Fishing for redfish in Mosquito Lagoon and North Indian River Lagoon has been excellent during the past month. Smaller redfish are finally starting to school up with falling water levels. Tailing activity on the grass flats has improved daily. This makes for great sight casting with lures and live bait for redfish in the 5-10 pound range. There’s still been a couple schools of bull redfish over 20 pounds roaming deeper flats. We were fortunate to catch a bunch this past month sight casting when the weather was right, however, each passing week decreases odds for the right conditions needed. Live bait is practically a must for those this time of year.

Incredible numbers of black drum are being found in the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River Lagoon. We located schools of 500+ fish a few times during the past month, including a school yesterday that had close to 1000 drum. These fish are in pre-spawn mode for an early spring spawn session. Catching has been outstanding. Average size is in the 10-20 pound range and they can be caught with live bait or flies.

Keeping our fingers crossed in Central Florida for another mild winter. We are seeing superb numbers of snook schooled up in a few areas from Ponce Inlet to Titusville. We are catching 10+ every day on soft plastics and live bait. Sizes can vary because they are mixed together, numerous small ones all the way up towards a rare fish close to 20 pounds. Season closes December 15th on our coast, so it’ll be catch and release after.

Can’t really report much on spotted sea trout over the past month because I haven’t been fishing for them or targeting them at all. With that said, approaching cold weather this weekend will surely change things up for the remainder of the winter as the giants over 10 pounds will flood their way into shallow water to warm up. And usually once they make that move they will be there till early spring. It will be an excellent time of year to try your hand for a world-class trophy gator trout. And I’ll do a lot more of it when that happens.

The current conditions don’t really show any signs of slowing down, in fact, approaching cold fronts may accelerate a bite. Only a handful of days remaining for December and January is filling up quick. While I take last second scheduling if I have open days, DON’T wait till last minute to schedule a trip for you or your family. Call me at 386-212-4931 or email to secure a date. Read my fishing charter page to view the top reasons why you should book your trip with me today. I look forward to fishing with you soon…