August 7, 2002

Mosquito Lagoon Report

Winds and rain out of the north blew out this morning’s fishing trip. A "cold" front coupled with the tropical storm "Cristobol" off the Carolinas is the weather maker. We should see slightly cooler temperatures for a day or two. The north-east wind and temperature change could be good for the Lagoon, which has gotten hot enough to brew its own tropical storm.

We’ve been getting most of the Reds on cut mullet and the Trout using Pigfish. If you can find an area in the Lagoon without the floating grass, cast a top water lure, both Reds and Trout are hitting them.

This time of year the Lagoon’s full of different species. Besides the Reds and Trout, the Ladyfish, Bluefish, Jacks, Small shark and Tarpon are also in the Lagoon feeding on the summer bait fish.

If you’re fishing with bait this time of year expect to hook up the worthless hardhead catfish. They’re everywhere, even on the flats, sometimes tailing. Their dorsal and pectoral fins can inflict a nasty, infectious poke on you so handle the critters with care using long nose pliers or a Dehooker.

Mark Pregman of Atlanta and Colin Price of Orlando used cut mullet in a school of 6 to 10 lb. Reds. For tackle we used 3/0 Kahle Eagle Claw hooks, 20 lb.Orvis flourocarbon leaders, 10lb. Power Pro braid, Redington rods and Shimano Stradic 2000 reels. Mark pulled out the fly rod for the Last Cast at the end of the charter and we poled up to the school. With the Reds flashing their gold flanks in the bright sun Mark kept putting a chartreuse Clouser into the fish as we slowly poled along side them. Finally a Red turned and swallowed the fly, taking Mark into his backing before he landed it.

This week Ron Woxberg of St. John’s River Cruises and grandson Patrick got into some 10lb. Reds. Ron then sight casted a landed a 47 inch, 30 lb.+ Redfish, his "last cast" of the day.

I must be living under some huge rock. Not until fishing with Adam Fuller of Augusta did I find out about the awesome recipe known as the "Low Country Boil". Shrimp, crab, sausage, potatoes, corn, onions and carrots all boiled in one pot with seasonings, if you haven’t tried this dish you’re missing out. You can find the recipe on the internet.

Watch your lures while casting! This last month I heard about more human hook ups than ever ( but not on my boat, thank you). The two tied for the worst were eyelids and scalps. The worst thing about the eyelid episode was the guy couldn’t sleep at night with the light coming through the hole in his eylid .(Was someone pulling my leg?)

The scalp episode really was bad according to Mark Pregman. He was fishing with two guys when one hooked his buddy while starting to cast forward. The guy actually yanked on the lure twice which was stuck through the other guy’s hat and into his scalp, really setting it! But that’s not all, they couldn’t get the hooks out of the guy’s head, so they began running the boat home with the hat pinned to the guy’s scalp. As they ran, they turned into the wind and the guy’s hat flew up and flailed with the lure holding it to his scalp. Ouch!

Enjoy the outdoors, get out and fish!

Capt. Brian Clancy/Eldora Charters

www.eldoracharters.com

eldoracharters@ucnsb.net

1-877-409-7380 Toll free

409-7380 Local

New Smyrna Beach, Florida