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Summer Solstice Central Florida Fishing Report

June 20, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Summer Solstice Central Florida Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this summer solstice central Florida Fishing Report. Saturday is the solstice! I will celebrate by using a lawnmower.

Sunday evening Susan and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary at Bonefish Grill. Sister Cheryl tagged along, perhaps as a chaperone? We sat outside, of course. A thunderstorm came through, booming and spitting at us. It made for quite a memorable meal, our only restaurant visit since the COVID incident started. We are still on self-quarantine.

Monday was the actual anniversary. I had installed a new livewell pump in the Mitzi, and took it out on the St. Johns to check for leaks. It’s all good!

The old livewell intake tube could not pick up water while the boat was running. On this installation I added an EZ Pump to the transom. This device forces water into the intake tube while the boat is running. It works great, I am so happy I did this! I’m not big on using bait, but when I have it I want it to stay alive.

The EZ Pump scoops water into the live well water pickup when the boat is on plane.

After dinner I loaded three kayaks onto the roof of the chariot. We drove to Haulover Canal and launched them as darkness fell. The bioluminescence is heavy now. Every paddle stroke makes the water glow electric blue, as do all the mullet and other sea creatures. The Big Dipper was nearly straight overhead, pointing at Polaris, Leo, and Arcturus. We watched Scorpius rise, and saw several satellites and meteors. It was a fantastic way to finish off anniversary day!

Wednesday looked like I could cruise the deep blue. I launched at the Port, clearing the jetties as the sun cleared the horizon. Tarpon were the goal.

I found a few rolling near the cape. Blind-casting a black and purple streamer in the vicinity, I had a bump. Not a take, but a large fish rolled behind the fly. Had it eaten, the 10-weight would have been inadequate. That was it in two hours. I pulled the boat, trailered to Haulover Canal.

The water at the south end of the lagoon is fairly clear. There is no grass. I visited all my old best spots down there. Between 10 and 2, I saw one trout, one redfish, one bonnethead, maybe a dozen black drum, and caught three trout on a plastic minnow, two of which were slot fish. There were decent numbers of finger mullet. Don’t need to go back for a while!

Thursday Susan and I paddled around on Lake Mills for a short time. Water looks nice! Didn’t see much in the way of fish. Lots of ski boats and jet skis moored around the margins of the lake.

Friday I was going to go out. Cancelled because of a forecast. Bad move! Ended up working on the hurricane panels, a tougher job than anticipated.

I think there is a connection between thinking and fishing, mostly because you spend a lot of your time up to your waist in water without a whole lot to keep your mind busy. – Anthony Doerr

Life is great and I love my work!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Orlando Fishing Report, port canaveral fishing report · Tagged: , , ,

Another Central Florida Fishing Report

May 23, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Another Central Florida Fishing Report

Thank you for reading another central Florida fishing report. I hope you are still maintaining your health and your sanity through this pandemic thing. In spite of what you may have heard, it’s not over yet.

Sunday– With a beautiful morning, and tired of being in the house, I again got the bicycle out and headed to what was for me a new area on the Econlockhatchee. A ride of about a mile put me at the river.

There were people fishing there.

I hid the bike and went through the woods the other way, picking up a few chiggers while I was at it. The river was tiny, just a creek. I did not see many fish. I did get to watch two otters (one at a time) frolic in the river right in front of me, very cool. A barred owl, right over my head, had an owl conversation with a friend a ways off.

I hooked one 10 inch bass on a riptide sardine. The fish shook off before I could land it. I had a great time walking through the woods, but I wouldn’t go back for the fishing.

Tuesday the wind was something less than 20 mph. I launched a kayak at Mosquito Lagoon and worked it hard.

The fish were not on. I saw two reds, did not get a shot. I saw a few black drum tailing. When the tail disappeared, the fish disappeared. The only bite I got was from a five pound black drum that took a redfish worm, and I felt lucky to get it.

I was asked for a photo of the redfish worm. It is a very simple fly.

Thursday was another beautiful day so I tried kayaking Mosquito Lagoon again. While hunting, I spotted a redfish as I passed it. When I turned to try to get a shot I couldn’t find the fish again. I waited and watched. The fish finally tailed, right next to the mangroves. I thought my cast was off, but the fish must have heard the fly hit the water. As I began to lift the rod for another cast the fish took the fly. Of course it shook right off.

Another redfish falls to the redfish worm.

A while later I ran over three black drum. I staked the boat, stood up, and waited. I got several shots over the next 40 minutes or so and pooched all of them, missing a few bites in the process.

I turned around and three redfish were cruising the shoreline. I dropped the fly on them on the backcast- BOOM! First fish of the day. It was almost one o’clock.

A fish crashed along the shoreline a few times. A saw the fish and made the cast- too long, right into a mangrove branch. I jerked the fly off, used that as the backcast, and splashed the fly down, hard, a couple feet in front of the fish. BAM! My second, and last, redfish of the day, and you’re not likely to get many in quite that way.

I’ve had some people ask me about chartering- while I could certainly use the funds, I’m still on self-quarantine. I’m staying there until everyone in my household thinks it’s safe to end it.

“I remember the good evenings I have fished, even the ones that realised material hopes not by the fish that came to the fly, but by the color and movement of water and sky, by the sounds and scents and gentle stirrings that were all around me.”
-Roderick Haig-Brown

Life is great and I love my work!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Orlando Fishing Report, Paddle Fishing Florida · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,

Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report

May 9, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this Mosquito Lagoon fishing report.

In what seems to be a trend, I got out kayak fishing two days this week, and took the bride out to the lagoon on a non-fishing trip for a day, too.

Battling the beast.

While paddle fishing Monday I got two slot reds on the redfish worm. Both fish had their backs out of the water, which is so dirty it’s the only way I could have seen them.

Red on redfish worm.

I tied up some redfish worms with plastic eyes, trying to reduce the landing splash. The fish are skittish.

Red on plastic eye redfish worm.

Testing those flies on Wednesday I got one redfish and one black drum, which surprised me. Both fish were tailing. Two-fish days seems to be becoming the norm. Better than no fish days!

Black drum on brown plastic eye redfish worm.

Friday was a no fish day. I didn’t fish. We just took the bang-o-craft to a spoil island, set up a couple beach chairs, and dozed for three hours. I thought it a great use of my time!

The water is low.

“If you introduce kids to fishing, they become good citizens.” -Rex Hunt

Life is great and I love my work!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Orlando Fishing Report, Paddle Fishing Florida · Tagged: , , , , ,

May Day Central Florida Fishing Report

May 2, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

May Day Central Florida Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this May Day central Florida fishing report. I hope you enjoyed your May Day!

I forgot to put a fishing quote in last week, so we get a double scoop today.

A fisherman is always hopeful- nearly always more hopeful than he has any right to be. -Roderick Haig-Brown

FISHING!
Monday
On Saturday Mike Conneen called me and asked me to join an Econ party on Monday. I didn’t see how to maintain social distance while doing the shuttle between Snow Hill Road and CS Lee Park, and regretfully declined. Monday morning the weather was great, though, so I asked Susan to give me a ride to the river crossing and drop me off. I’d call when I got to CS Lee. I started paddling at 0900.

If you’re looking for Plecostamus, the Econ is the place to be. There are thousands of them. I don’t know that they’ve affected the native fish, but I do know there are a lot fewer natives than there used to be.

A particularly interesting cypress tree.

Took a break and saw a hummingbird looking for flowers. I could not have been more than three inches long. Also saw an eagle and a blue heron in the same place, just for size contrast. The birding was pretty good, and there were some reptiles too- gators, and cooter turtles, and slider turtles. No snakes though.

I found a dead fish. A catfish with a big lesion behind its head swam past me.

I didn’t fish hard, since I got a late start and had a long way to go. Fishing was not good though, with two bass and two stumpknockers coming to hand, all on a mousy gurgler.

Lousy photo, but the best bass of the year for me.

I got to where the trees end and the pastures start and caught up to Mike and Tammy. We paddled together for a few minutes, then I went on ahead. Susan picked me up about 1630.

Tuesday– went to Mosquito Lagoon for some kayak fishing. Went to a new spot. Got two nice reds on the redfish worm fly (haven’t typed that in a while). It was another spectacular day weather-wise.

file photo

I am re-wiring the Mitzi myself, and working on a book. That took up some of the rest of the week. Keeping me sane while I remain in self-quarantine.

Friday– took Susan to Mosquito Lagoon in the Bang-O-Craft for a little island hopping. We brought folding chairs to sit in, watching the passing boats in the ICW. God had brushed the sky free of clouds, amazing weather again.

Enjoying the day!

I fished a little bit with the DOA Shrimp. I had been using the same one for a month or so. A puffer ended that streak, the only bite I got. I saw a bonnethead shark swim by, the only fish other than mullet that I saw.

Dolphins always seem to enjoy the day!

We saw a hog, and three manatees, and a couple dolphins, along with the usual bird life.

An appropriate quote for the time of year- Anyone can be a fisherman in May. – Ernest Hemmingway

Life is great and I love my work!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

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Short Central Florida Fishing Report

April 26, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Short Central Florida Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this short central Florida fishing report. I’m in the middle of a project and took a few minutes off to crank this out.

FISHING!
Monday– went to Port Canaveral. There must be some mahi running, because the parking lot was completely full. In the Mitzi I am not going mahi fishing, not here at least.

I was able to net a couple dozen menhaden. I saw a kingfish skyrocket so I set out a bait. It captured a northern sennet. A second bait was mangled by a bluefish.

I went out three mikes and looked around a buoy. There were three great barracuda there. The buoy barracudas never bite. These three didn’t, either.

Close to the beach I saw two tarpon roll. I put out a bait. A bluefish mangled it. I did catch a bluefish on a jig, the only other fish I got.

Did not see much other than what’s reported.

Tuesday– went to Mosquito Lagoon for some kayak fishing. The wind was blowing hard enough to be invigorating. I had two good fly shots, neither fish ate. I pooched a few more with the help of that invigorating wind. The two reds I did get both happened the same way- the fish were shallow, pushing a wake. I threw a DOA Shrimp in front, and they nailed it.

The bait was a DOA Shrimp. Same photo as last week!

Saw some spoonbills among many other bird species, and as a bonus a rocket went up!

 

Snotty weather precluded fishing the rest of the week.

Life is great and I love my work!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Orlando Fishing Report, port canaveral fishing report · Tagged: , , , , ,

Another Central Florida Fishing Report

April 18, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Another Central Florida Fishing Report

Thank you for reading another central Florida fishing report. Given the self-quarantine I’m working under, readers will likely see a string of these.

Due to weather and other constraints, only got out twice this week.

FISHING!

Monday– took a kayak to a spot in Mosquito Lagoon I hadn’t been in a while. Weather was cloudy with some breeze, water color was a thickening green. I was not expecting much.

The water color was a thickening green…

Slowly coasting along a lee looking, I came close to running a redfish over- could have touched it with the paddle. It was the color of a brick, easy to see even though stationary. I backed up a few feet and hit it on the back with a DOA Shrimp. It struck in the middle of my wincing. I caught it!

The bait was a DOA Shrimp.

I’d like to be able to say, “Yeah, it was like that all day. I thought it was the old days.” Shots were hard to come by. I had six good ones in five hours, got two more fish. On the last one I was using a gurgler. The leader was in the rod. The fish slurped the fly less than 15 feet away, and I caught that one too.

The leader was in the rod when this fish struck.

I’m not always that competent.

On the way home I thought it a rewarding day.

SR 419 paddle launch.

Friday– Susan dropped me off at the 419 bridge crossing at the Econlockhatchee. Weather was cloudy and windy, water was low and clear. A vast majority of the fish seen were exotic species, Plecostamus and Tilapia. There were some mullet. Redbreasts were spawning. I’ve seen the beds more packed together. Tilapia are spawning too.

Redbreasts are spawning.

I did not see many bass and only got one small one on a mouse fly. I paddled more than fished. I took pictures more than I fished.

Coreopsis growing along the Econ.

 

Water hemlock growing along the Econ.

Last week I wondered where all the alligators went. I got that answer today. Probably saw 30 gators. The smallest was about seven feet long. The biggest ones didn’t even move when I approached. I could feel Godzilla thinking, “It’s gonna take something bigger than you to make me move.”

This critter did not want to move. I saw bigger ones.

When I got to the take-out at Snow Hill Road there was a new sign there.

Susan picked me up about 3 PM.

Last week this observer reported sending emails to the Seminole County Sherriff and my county commissioner about motorboats on the Econlockhatchee. Sgt Chris Stronko, SCSD, sent me this email-

“…we were able to locate the registered owners of the tags you provided. We don’t believe the young men who belonged to the boats were involved. For whatever it is worth, we had the full support of their parents. According to their story, the two young men were travelling in a group of 4 surface drive boats and stated they do not go west of the bridge. Further, the young men stated they saw the other pair of boats who they believe were the violators. In addition, there are signs being made to indicate paddle craft launching only for that landing which should be installed in the next week or so. Please feel free to contact me via email or phone if you have any additional concerns. Thank you.”

As long as the stupid boating behavior stops I have no conditional concerns. I was glad to see it was important enough to the Sheriff’s office that they stayed on it and got back to me about it.

Life is great and I love my work!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Orlando Fishing Report, Paddle Fishing Florida · Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Central Florida Saltwater Fishing Report

April 4, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Central Florida Saltwater Fishing Report

Thank you for reading my central Florida saltwater fishing report. We will be discussing some things in addition to fishing this week.

All of us have been affected by the COVID virus. Florida’s governor issued a shutdown order, effective as of midnight April 3. Only essential activities allow one to leave the house.

The following activities are included as essential in the executive order:
-Attending religious services
-Participating in recreational activities (in alignment with social distancing guidelines) such as walking, biking, hiking, fishing, hunting, running, or swimming (consistent with social distancing guidelines)
-Taking care of pets
-Caring for or otherwise assisting a loved one or friend.

So ah is a’ goin fishin, wit de blessin uv de guhvnuh!

I know that this entire episode is taking in horrible human toll in lives, sickness, lost productivity and income, family disruption, etc. One observation I’ve made is that driving is much more pleasant with the deserted roads, though.

Referring to the COVID virus, last week I wrote, “I’m in a high-risk group- if I get it, it will probably kill me.”

One of my subscribers, a Ph.D. cancer researcher, sent me this in an email- “Regarding COVID 19 mortality, I don’t think we know for certain that age, alone, is an independent factor. Age is strongly associated with a large number of underlying co-morbidities, such as kidney disease, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and probably obesity. We don’t yet have enough data to say that age is a significant factor in an otherwise healthy person, someone who doesn’t have any of those co-morbidities.

“I am 74 years old and in good health. Until I see better data I’m going to assume that age is not an independent factor. I hope I’m right, for both of our sakes.”

I wrote him back, “Age ain’t the problem, buddy. I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis almost a year ago. I’ve already lost quite a bit of lung function.”

Truly, I’m in a high-risk group- if I get this virus, it will probably kill me. I’m being cautious and am not taking anyone other than my wife and sister fishing with me until either I expire or this whole Corona thing blows over.
———————————————————

I’ve watched several documentaries this week, available for free here- http://www.openculture.com/freemoviesonline. One of those I watched was about 60s counter-culture cartoonist Robert Crumb.

He’s still alive and well! One of his recent works was an illustrated Genesis. Talk about coming full circle…

———————————————————–
FISHING!
Monday, by myself, I went to Port Canaveral. It was my first Atlantic trip of 2020. I had no information as to where fish or bait might be. As it turned out I didn’t need bait because my livewell pump didn’t work. If anyone knows someone in central Florida who does good boat electrical work I would love to hear about it. But I digress.

I ran out to the Cape without seeing anything or getting a bite. I was casting there when Jim Ross came roaring by heading north. I followed him, but the Mitzi ain’t keeping up with Jim’s boat!

While up there I found Spanish mackerel, big ladyfish, bluefish, one gafftopsail catfish, hooked and lost two tripletail. I was tossing jigs, DOA Shrimp, and DOA BaitBuster. Brought two fly poles, didn’t even break them out.

A small (for a manta ray) manta ray swam past my boat, 20 feet away. Of course I cast over and around it. It was all by itself, though. Still so cool to see it.

Tuesday and Wednesday it was blowing. I worked on my boat’s electric system. Did not find the problem, other than maybe the 12-year old switch panel.

Thursday I took a six-weight and a light spin rod on a Mosquito Lagoon kayak fishing trip. I almost ran over the first redfish I saw. I tossed a slider fly to the second. BAM! No hesitation, a nice slot fish.

There were not a lot of fish but every 30 or 40 minutes, helped by tremendous weather, I’d see one. I had a half-dozen good fly shots, hooked four, caught and released three, and hooked four on a DOA Shrimp, two of which were caught and released. All the fish that struck were very aggressive about it, great to see that!

Friday afternoon took the wife and sister on a dinner cruise- we used the Mitzi to cruise to an Indian River spoil island. There I pulled out a little grill and a salmon fillet. When the fish was cooked we had dinner. Later we packed up and cruised back to Parrish Park, and a fine excursion it was!

 

“Those who become weary of angling bring nothing to it but the idea of catching fish.” -Rafael Sabatini

Life is great and I love my work!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Orlando Fishing Report, Paddle Fishing Florida, port canaveral fishing report · Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Vernal Equinox Central Florida Fishing Report

March 21, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Vernal Equinox Central Florida Fishing Report

In spite of the craziness caused by COVID-19 I was able to get out and fish this week. A wonderful thing about fishing as practiced by me- you’re not likely to run across any virus-carrying humans.

The equinox was this week- celebrate a little!

Upcoming Events

I had intended to run the Mosquito Lagoon Show and Tell Seminar on March 28. Given that I’m in a high-risk demographic in the event I’d contract the virus, I have decided to cancel this event. Maybe in the fall…

Fishing

Saturday I launched the Bang-O-Craft at River Breeze Park, intending to do some scouting for an upcoming charter (since cancelled). Every time I do something like this I’m reminded of why I avoid fishing on weekends. I had to park most of the way back to Burch Road, the lot was full to overflowing.

My plan was to scout north of the park. I went up to the Blue Hole and started working my way back. In five hours I saw a half-dozen redfish and had one bite from a decent trout. In some of my formerly favorite places the water was almost opaque or the bottom looked diseased. It was not a great outing. I won’t be visiting that area for a while.

Monday Susan joined me for some more Mosquito Lagoon scouting. I launched the Mitzi in the wind and mist at Beacon 42.

Got two of these on a DOA Shrimp. Photo by Susan Surprise.

In the first spot we got two slot redfish, a bunch of dinker trout, and hooked and lost a nice trout.

Susan with a nice trout, released right after the shutter clicked.

 

Floundah! Photo by Susan Surprise.

In the second we got a nice trout, a flounder, and a few dinker trout. I wanted more spots but Sue was done, so we loaded up and drove home.

Monday night the trip I was scouting for was cancelled.

Tuesday I was on the way to do some Indian River Lagoon kayak fishing when I passed a breakdown. There was a child standing there and dad was lying under the truck. I stopped. “You under control?” “I don’t know where the jack is.” He had a gheenoe on a trailer. The trailer tire was shredded.

I was like a knight in shining armour. Because I have trailers, I have tools. I had him back on the road in 20 minutes.

I launched the kayak a few minutes later. The water looked OK, but there were no minnows, no mullet, no birds. I thought, “If I get a fish it will be a miracle.”

I paddled to the end of the spot, stood up, and began looking as I started back.

I saw three fish. I put the kayak in shallow water, staked it out, and waded back to the area, peppering it with casts. Just before I was to give up a fish struck. It was a lovely trout, about 20 inches.

I did not see another fish, nor was another bite forthcoming. The weather was spectacular though, and I had a great time.

Thursday Susan joined me. We went to CS Lee Park and launched the Bang-O-Craft. At the mouth of the Econ I had a solid strike on a 1” Sassy Shad. To my surprise it was a large tilapia. I was about to call my Aunt Rochelle when the hook pulled out. One does not get many tilapia bites.

I did get a pair of stumpknockers there, though. No thoughts of keeping them!

The mighty mudfish gets no respect. Photo by Susan Surprise.

We went up the Econ a way and I stopped to cast. I had another solid strike and a fish came cartwheeling out of the water. It turned out to be a bowfin, mudfish here in Florida. Got a crappie there, too. We went further up the very low river, dragging bottom in places and hitting lumber in others. It was very dead up there except for the gar.

This little guy followed the Chug Bug right to the boat. Photo by Susan Surprise.

I tied on a small Chug Bug and worked it for a while. Got a bite (it surprised me) and caught a seven-inch bass, the final fish of the day.

Friday sister Cheryl and I went kayaking in the Indian River Lagoon looking for birds. I brought a fishing rod but never picked it up- did not see a fish other than some mullet. We did see some eagles, spoonbills, coots, ducks, etc. etc. Nice paddle on a nice day.

And that’s my central Florida fishing report for this week. Thanks for reading it!

“Fishing is not an escape from life, but often a deeper immersion into it.” -Harry Middleton

Life is great and I love my work!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Orlando Fishing Report, St. Johns River Fishing Report · Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Fished Two Days Central Florida Fishing Report

March 14, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Fished Two Days Central Florida Fishing Report

Thank you for reading this Fished Two Days Central Florida Fishing Report. I wanted to fish more but circumstances conspired against me. I only got out twice.

Upcoming Events
Mosquito Lagoon Show and Tell Seminar, March 28. Yes, we’re back again with the show and tell seminar. Visit this link for details.
On-the-Water Mosquito Lagoon Show and Tell Seminar, March 29. We follow up the road version of the seminar with a trip in my Mitzi around the lagoon. Visit this link for details!

Monday I had an appointment with Dr. David Demetree, a chiropractor. Riding across the country did a number on my spine. The good doctor straightened it out.

In the evening I was a speaker at the Mid-Coast Fly Fishers meeting in New Smyrna Beach, talking about winter fly fishing in Mosquito Lagoon. A good group they are- if you are in that area you’d be advised to look them up.

Tuesday I put my back out of wack again by spending the day sitting in my kayak in Mosquito Lagoon. There were backing redfish all day, not a lot, but enough to keep me interested. The best moment came when I spotted a fish so shallow his eyes were almost out of the water. I figured it would be an easy shot. As I stalked him I failed to see the fish I ran over. That one ran smack into the side of my boat, making a loud BONK and blowing out the one I was stalking. I got neither.

But I did get two on a DOA Shrimp and two on a Seaducer, solid slot reds all, and blew at least four more shots. These days that’s a great outing. I thoroughly enjoyed myself!

Wednesday afternoon I went walking along the Econlockhatchee, spin rod in hand. The river looked great, low and clear. I did not see a bass, not did I get a bite. I stumbled upon a retention pond where I got three dinker bass, and those were my fish for the day.

“A fishing trip without laughter is not much of a fishing trip.” – Paul Quinnett

And that’s my first fishing report since returning from California. I hope to get out more next week. Thanks for reading!

Life is great and I love my work!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report, Paddle Fishing Florida · Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Last Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report of February

February 21, 2020 by · Leave a Comment

Last Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report of February

Thank you for reading this last Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report of February. Currently I am on a road trip with son Maxx and will send non-fishing updates from various places.

FISHING
Since my last report I got out three times, all on Mosquito Lagoon. The first was last Thursday, a kayak trip to a place I hadn’t been in a long time. I had no expectations, and it wasn’t killer, but I got a few reds and trout on both spin and fly, sightfishing a couple reds that were cruising the shoreline, sometimes with their backs out of the water, as they fed on Gambusia minnows. I was starting to think I would never see that again. It was wonderful to see it.

Monday
Went scouting by myself. Went to a spot I had never fished (yes, there still are a couple after all this time) and found fish there that took the plastic shad and DOA Shrimp. Saw some decent ones, and figured I might be back the next day so I left.

Other spots produced fish too- no big ones but we’re no longer in a position to be fussy in that lagoon. Had a fly rod, never touched it.

Oh yes- I heard but could not see due to fog the rocket go up, about 1000 hours.

Tuesday
Ron and Kent Oberly, father and son, joined me for some Mosquito Lagoon fishing. We went to the new spot first, where they both caught some fish, trout from medium to small. When it was time to leave, though, I couldn’t get out. When it was just me in the boat I could, but the extra weight in a place that was shallow wouldn’t work. It took about 30 minutes to get to deep enough water to run. Ouch.

Spot two also produced small fish. We could see big trout and slot reds but they would not bite.

We tried a couple other spots and got some small trout before calling it a good day. It was a pleasure having you aboard, gentlemen, thank you for joining me.

And that’s my Last Mosquito Lagoon fishing report of February. Thanks for reading it!

Life is great and I love my work!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go Fishing!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide
Purchase Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2020. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Fishing Reports, Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Report · Tagged: , , , , ,
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