CAPT VAN HORN - MOSQUITO LAGOON
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Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report
There is still much speculation going around about the effects of the big freeze we experienced at the beginning of the year. While the full extent of the damage may not be known for quite some time, I can say with confidence that the populations of adult redfish and black drum are alive and well. We have been seeing hundreds of fish each trip roaming the shallow flats. From big schools of redfish and drum to singles and small groups, the fish have been active, feeding, and generally happy. The weather has been the biggest foe with temperatures on many days 15-20 degrees below average. Water temperatures during the past week have been staying around 50 and the fish do not seem to mind at all. On a trip last week, Canadians Emile and Serge joined me on a blustery day. The wind were topping 20 and the flats were dirty. With only one other boat in sight the entire day we had the water to ourselves. Both guys caught several nice redfish including an 11 and 22 pounder. This past Sunday, I went out on a windy 33 degree morning with my Friend Capt. Drew. We started spotting tailing redfish almost immediately and they were willing to eat a three inch DOA CAL in Arkansas Glow. We visited four spots and found three of them full of redfish catching multiple fish along the way. Monday brought some of the nicest weather we have had in quite some time. Sunny skies and light winds made for some excellent sight fishing. Wilson and Tyler had spent the previous day at the Daytona 500 and wanted to experience the Mosquito Lagoon before returning to Pennsylvania. As soon as we started fishing, we found ourselves surrounded by schools of fish. Tyler hooked up with a redfish on his first cast. Wilson landed his first red a while later. They had steady shots at redfish throughout the day including some schools of 20-30 pound fish. Yesterday, 16 year old Cameron joined me on his first trip to Mosquito Lagoon. An experienced offshore angler, he wanted to try some inshore sight fishing. The skies were clear but the wind blew hard the whole day. Despite having to battle the wind, Cam made some great casts to tailing fish and landed four redfish from 27-41 inches. Water levels in Mosquito Lagoon remain much higher than normal for this time of year. Most of the redfish we have been finding have been in 12-18 inches of water with plenty of grass. High winds have made casting light baits difficult but a 3 inch CAL tail on a 1/4 ounce jig works well. The key when using a setup like this with an exposed hook is to not let the bait settle down in the grass until it is near the fish. On days with lighter winds, the DOA shrimp will be hard to beat. Capt. Chris Myers [url=http://www.floridafishinglessons.com]Orlando Fishing Guide[/url] |
| The St. John's River Shad Derby
A Free Online Fun Fishing Event
Derby Rules Derby starts at sunrise on Sunday January 24th, and ends at sunset February 28th. There is no entry fee; anglers must register at one of the official Derby sponsor locations and pick-up the official Derby Token from Mosquito Creek Outdoors in Apopka, Florida. Anglers must meet all of the fishing regulations requirements of the State of Florida and possess both fresh and saltwater license if it applies. This is a catch, photograph and release (CPR) tournament only. Anglers are permitted to fish anywhere on the Saint Johns River system. Angles must take fish with hook and line only. Anglers are permitted to fish in any manner desired, paddle fishing, boat, shoreline or wade. Anglers can fish as many times as they want within the Derby timeframe and contestant can submit as many photos as they want. One prize per contestant per category. Three categories will be presented, fly division, conventional division, and junior division 15-years old and under. Fish must be measured using the offical http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103059314436&s=185&e=0018eOTpJFhBS6nlCiFbr7rqpcqzdjdb5Inj0Z77fmXRqO6G6kEvsnzLyG86hLf8pBCzIMhUmE6ipcKo5u2NM8L8wDzGHEPIT65MGTzcG0bFRP0ScwZiHt6J_367r5WGA1ZlquMhNdQUFC-LSZjnfjpL2o_OR4DgUT6EdBh_G31xs_Of3Svk0PhBvliidhN1c1Jz6v7LA1aPdi4nbVclhwqV__V8xwupcDmkmqTFVOZ_DBBHd5BvsZg63azhUvEQkm5vsPdOpmqjeoXoBq26CPnKkoSxAcZg7L345kXicyttQGJSjwHhCL-TstkQDomIw4MkMDCGNVkqLM=" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103059314436&s=185&e=0018eOTpJFhBS6nlCiFbr7rqpcqzdjdb5Inj0Z77fmXRqO6G6kEvsnzLyG86hLf8pBCzIMhUmE6ipcKo5u2NM8L8wDzGHEPIT65MGTzcG0bFRP0ScwZiHt6J_367r5WGA1ZlquMhNdQUFC-LSZjnfjpL2o_OR4DgUT6EdBh_G31xs_Of3Svk0PhBvliidhN1c1Jz6v7LA1aPdi4nbVclhwqV__V8xwupcDmkmqTFVOZ_DBBHd5BvsZg63azhUvEQkm5vsPdOpmqjeoXoBq26CPnKkoSxAcZg7L345kXicyttQGJSjwHhCL-TstkQDomIw4MkMDCGNVkqLM=" target="_blank" shape="rect" rel="nofollow">321Fish.com measuring device. Official measurement will be total length from the nose to the tip of the tail, no pinched tail, longest fish wins. Two photos must be submitted, one showing size and token card from Mosquito Creek, and one photo with contestant holding fish. If caught on fly please submit photo with fly visible. Photos must be uploaded to the http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103059314436&s=185&e=0018eOTpJFhBS6nlCiFbr7rqpcqzdjdb5Inj0Z77fmXRqO6G6kEvsnzLyG86hLf8pBCzIMhUmE6ipcKo5u2NM8L8wDzGHEPIT65MGTzcG0bFRP0ScwZiHt6J_367r5WGA1ZlquMhNdQUFC-LSZjnfjpL2o_OR4DgUT6EdBh_G31xs_Of3Svk0PhBvliidhN1c1Jz6v7LA1aPdi4nbVclhwqV__V8xwupcDmkmqTFVOZ_DBBHd5BvsZg63azhUvEQkm5vsPdOpmqjeoXoBq26CPnKkoSxAcZg7L345kXicyttQGJSjwHhCL-TstkQDomIw4MkMDCGNVkqLM=" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103059314436&s=185&e=0018eOTpJFhBS6nlCiFbr7rqpcqzdjdb5Inj0Z77fmXRqO6G6kEvsnzLyG86hLf8pBCzIMhUmE6ipcKo5u2NM8L8wDzGHEPIT65MGTzcG0bFRP0ScwZiHt6J_367r5WGA1ZlquMhNdQUFC-LSZjnfjpL2o_OR4DgUT6EdBh_G31xs_Of3Svk0PhBvliidhN1c1Jz6v7LA1aPdi4nbVclhwqV__V8xwupcDmkmqTFVOZ_DBBHd5BvsZg63azhUvEQkm5vsPdOpmqjeoXoBq26CPnKkoSxAcZg7L345kXicyttQGJSjwHhCL-TstkQDomIw4MkMDCGNVkqLM=" target="_blank" shape="rect" rel="nofollow">321Fish website. Angler is responsible for uploading photos to the official derby judging Internet site. Photos must include the official derby token, no exceptions. In the event of a tie, the angler who uploads his photo first wins.
Derby judges final decision stands. For more information on how to sign up and post your photos, visit http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103059314436&s=185&e=0018eOTpJFhBS6PpimEq0B0JEaFhDzZPAC1OmZ5e-T3ZcOuqL_r9qlaZzAJxQSS2BM7G-FWsWM_Uxxcv0r91gUK_IzZX0QWqXH9dP-vBKizaf2_WxJQZO2vVJomj5uGuUki_yLmICL8j0ZHe9WQwBjedQ==" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103059314436&s=185&e=0018eOTpJFhBS6PpimEq0B0JEaFhDzZPAC1OmZ5e-T3ZcOuqL_r9qlaZzAJxQSS2BM7G-FWsWM_Uxxcv0r91gUK_IzZX0QWqXH9dP-vBKizaf2_WxJQZO2vVJomj5uGuUki_yLmICL8j0ZHe9WQwBjedQ==" target="_blank" shape="rect" linktype="link" track="on">Fishing Florida Radio's website. |
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Upcoming Seminars
A free seminar on shad fishing will be conducted at the Shad Rally from 10 am to noon on Saturday February 20th at CS Lee Park in east of Geneva on Hwy 46, compliments of Mosquito Creek Outdoors, Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando and Fishing Florida Radio. For more details on the Shad Derby go to http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103059314436&s=185&e=0018eOTpJFhBS5G5RuQJOEsrXvgYtUVMAhLQqtXnV3W8wrMa4YIM0GgMGB31uLaoAvddx-d10zSc063iP5RFRjbHYe1DXg7nGfIwHUoe3lsLZVfnEyQQvgfOZ4VQjiBY_mD" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103059314436&s=185&e=0018eOTpJFhBS5G5RuQJOEsrXvgYtUVMAhLQqtXnV3W8wrMa4YIM0GgMGB31uLaoAvddx-d10zSc063iP5RFRjbHYe1DXg7nGfIwHUoe3lsLZVfnEyQQvgfOZ4VQjiBY_mD" target="_blank" shape="rect">http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103059314436&s=185&e=0018eOTpJFhBS5G5RuQJOEsrXvgYtUVMAhLQqtXnV3W8wrMa4YIM0GgMGB31uLaoAvddx-d10zSc063iP5RFRjbHYe1DXg7nGfIwHUoe3lsLZVfnEyQQvgfOZ4VQjiBY_mD. March 5 - 5:30pm - Fly Fishing for Redfish - Tampa Tribune Outdoors Expo March 6 - 4:30pm - Sight Fihsing the Flats - Tampa Tribune Outdoors Expo March 18 -6:00pm - Introduction to Fly Fishing - Mosquito Creek Outdoors |