Summer 2017 – Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report – Louisiana Marsh Preperations

It’s August and for me, that means I am back home in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. I’ve wrapped up my Tarpon season and now I get to fish Mosquito Lagoon, my favorite place to fish. As a saltwater fly fishing guide, I get very focused on which ever season is upon us. Whether it is prepping for the journey West to the Louisiana Marsh or heading South in Florida to chase giant Tarpon, I emerse myself in it. So while I am home and enjoying some down time in between Tarpon season and Fall and Winter in Louisiana, as Fall creeps closer and you actively begin feeling the weather starting to change, I can’t seem to stop my mind from drifting to the Marsh. Thinking about poling those marsh grass edges, my angler and I working together,

A Tarpon boatside with a fly in her mouth… A truly beautiful thing.

looking for that next shot… I’d be lying if I said it didn’t get me excited. On the flipside to that, it means I’m getting that much closer to having to leave home, say goodbye to my little boy and family, live in a travel trailer in the middle of the bayou for months, alone. The struggle is real.

Tarpon Season Recap –

With all that said, I had a great Tarpon season. This season was a little different for me in a few ways. I spent a lot of time exploring this year. As fly fishing for Tarpon continues to evolve, we must evolve with it. I am a believer in thinking aoutside of the box, challenging yourself, pushing your comfort zones. Sure, I can sit on Bean Point all season and see a bunch of fish but that doesn’t make you a good Tarpon guide. When I fish Tarpon, I am looking for the right fish. The fish with the right body language.

Grabbing a Tarpon after an incredile fight on the Oceanside.

This season, Capt. Nick Sassic and I spent a little over a month living on an island only accessible by boat. We were living in a beautiful beach house and had our skiffs tied up out back. This meant we could fish long and hard. Without having to worry about trailering home, traffic, gassing up the skiff, etc. We were both able to focus on Tarpon and man we did just that!

Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report –

I came home to New Smyrna Beach in the middle of June. I kept running Tarpon trips on the West coast of Florida and exploring some new areas for Tarpon. Day tripping from New Smyrna to the West coast of Florida and then Tarpon fishing all day was exhasuting. After July 4th, I stopped day tripping over to the West and stayed local in East Central Florida and the Space Coast.

Mosquito Lagoon junkie, Casey, with his first Redfish on a topwater fly.

Mosquito Lagoon will always be a special place to me.  A place that I love and getting to share that passion with other fly anglers is why I am a fly fishing guide. Mosquito Lagoon was once the famed Redfish Captial of the World, and while many anglers are picking other destinations to pursue Redfish, the Lagoon is still one of those destination fisheries you should experience. We have a diverse fishery here. Tarpon, Redfish, Sea Trout, Black Drum, Snook just to name a few.

Casey with a nice North end Mosquito Lagoon Redfish.

July and August, the heart of the Summer, has fished exactly how you would expect. There is a plethora of finger mullet present and as the sun creeps over the hozion and begins to light the morning sky the Lagoon begins to come to life. You may see a pod of fish tailing over the grass, Sea Trout popping bait pods or rolling Tarpon. As the Sun gets higher throughout the morning and the temperatures follow, you notice less and less activity. The fish aren’t gone, they are just far less active. It’s time to change gears and go looking for them. Fish, like any other living thing, want to be as comfortable as they can possibly be. Do what you can to figure that out. What are they looking for today? Cooler water, food, sandy bottom, grass, etc.

Spencer, from Orlando, with his personal best Sea Trout. We fished out of my canoe for a truly unique experience on the flats.

Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to book some bow time.

Capt. Jesse Register

Fly Fishing Guide Capt. Jesse Register

Booking a Fly Fishing Guide?

Not all Fishing Guides and Charter Services are Fly Fishing Guides.

Just like the title reads, not all fishing charters or fishing guides  are Fly Fishing Guides. A true Fly Fishing Guide specializes in Fly Fishing.

As a traveling angler, heading to a new destination you’ve never been to, or maybe you’ve been but never went fishing, there are a few things to consider when booking a Fly Fishing Guide. Here are a few questions you may want to consider asking when talking to potential Guides.

Does the Fly Fishing Guide you are considering actually fly fish?

Lots of charter services and fishing guides advertise that they guide fly fishing trips. Yes, they own a boat and  they can get you out on the water for a day of fly fishing, but will they have the knowledge to make your day as productive as possible and help you land that trophy Redfish you came for? If the Guide doesn’t fly fish, it doesn’t mean he can’t put you on fish, but will the Guide know the best angle to set you up on a shot? Most likely, the answer is no. Wind is almost always a factor when fly fishing in saltwater, if your guide is a fly angler he should know how to position the skiff so that hull of the boat isn’t “slapping” in the wind and alerting the fish to your presence or he’ll know to put the wind on your non-casting side so that you can make the best shot possible.

  • How long has the Guide been fly fishing?
    • Fly anglers never stop learning and progressing. As you know, there is a huge learning curve. The more experience your Guide has fly fishing, the better your day will be on the water. Guaranteed.
  • Does the Guide tie his own flies?
    • Most legitimate Fly Fishing Guides will tie their own flies. There are nuances to fisheries. That is not to say that store bought flies won’t work, they probably will. However, a Guides flies will be specifically tied for the various situations you will encounter throughout the day.
  • Does the Guide fish on his days off?
    • This is definitely very important. If I’m not booked, I’m making plans to get on the water with one of my buddies. I’m just as ate up with the fly game as you are and love sticking a few fish!

Let’s face it, booking a charter isn’t cheap. I encouraged you to do your research before booking with a Guide. I can’t stress the importance of “getting to know” your guide some before you book, give the guy a call and see how your personalities jive.

Interested in booking a trip or just have questions… Feel free to contact me.

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