Tear up the Trout on the Mosquito Lagoon Flats
Mosquito Lagoon is home to a healthy population of spotted sea trout. In fact, the sea trout found in the Lagoon are some of the biggest in the world. When spring begins to warm up the water, large schools of sea trout move up onto the flats throughout the Lagoon and offer exciting fishing opportunities. For the angler chasing an active school of sea trout, here are some fishing tackle tips to turn on the bite.
Spotted sea trout are aggressive eaters that travel in large schools marked by swirls and audible pops on the water’s surface. Approach the school with care to avoid spooking them and prepare for some serious action. Proven fishing gear includes a light to medium action rod, 10 – 14 pound test line, and a sampling of plastic lures painted to resemble realistic baitfish patterns. Make sure to include lures that float as well as those that run deeper so that you are ready for changing water temperatures throughout the day. For example, you could use a top-water lure in the cooler morning hours and a deeper running lure as the day warms up.
When fishing for spotted sea trout, your most exciting hits will be on surface-swimming lures. Other good choices include lures that “walk” back and forth and ones that rattle. If all else fails, tie on a shiny spinner lure to get their attention. For best results, anchor your boat about fifty feet from the active school and cast into the school with the wind at your back, if possible. The long cast will help you keep the lure in the water longer thus attracting many more fish to the movement and vibrations. The sound the lure makes is part of the allure so definitely experiment with various lures.
Fishing for larger spotted sea trout requires a quick retrieve since sea trout feed by aggressively chasing live bait fish, often hitting them just at the surface of the water with a loud pop. You will know it when a trout hits your lure because he will explode from the water and brutally attack your bait. Although sea trout are not the hardest fighters, they are fun to catch, often plentiful, and excellent for dinner. However, be sure to check local regulations for size and catch limits so that your day ends perfectly.