Archived Titusville Florida Light Tackle Fishing Guides Reports

The following is an archived saltwater flats fishing charter guide report for the above date and body of water. If you are looking for the most current inshore light tackle fly or spin fishing reports on the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River here in New Smyrna Beach and Cocoa Beach then please visit our reports page.

Thank You

Captain Drew Cavanaugh

Well you can most definitely tell it is summer time here in east central Florida. The weather is extremely hot and the fishing has been hot right along with it. The past few weeks have brought water levels to very low levels here on the Mosquito Lagoon. Some areas are at winter lows and with this it is pushing fish into confined spaces. This makes for a whole lot of pressure, not just for the fish but for the angler as well. As always with low water be careful on your navigation here.

Red fish have been a major target at day break for me and my clients. Tailing fish can be seen at first light in some very shallow water. Almost surreal looking at times how these fish like some of the warmest and shallowest of water there is to find. You would almost think to yourself that they would not like that - however they do. A very cautious approach is required when targeting fish in the warmer months. I have been watching boats here lately move in on fish like a military special forces movement with trolling motors blazing away. Fish; not just redfish but all creatures underwater can hear the noise of a trolling motor on full speed cutting towards them from at far distances.

As I state most of the time start early, take your time and approach (Use your push pole this effort will pay off) these fish with turkey like caution and you will be able to sneak up on them. Trust me, it works. Adjust your approach as they adjust there position. Have a good tactical plan for getting into position. Figure out which way they are going and the speed in which they appear to be moving. Reds are feeding on numerous baits at this point and time in the summer. A softly place finger mullet will work as well will a nice shrimp (if you can get them in a decent size). DO NOT land on the fish, it must be away from them or they will spook. Soft plastics work as well too. I like using the D.O.A. 1/2 oz. shrimps myself. White is my color of choice in a shrimp pattern. Hooked just on a 4/0 circle hook. No weights usually. Slow retrieve will get their attention. Practice sight fishing tactics and it will be seen in your next fishing trip.

The trout bite has been fairly steady as well. I like to target these fish using top water and/or soft plastics. There is nothing like the explosion of a sea trout busting that lure at day break! The bigger females have been moving throughout the flats and are usually onto you well before you are onto them. Sand holes surrounded by grass flats are perfect areas to target these fish. As always, please handle these fish with extra & extreme caution. They are the breeders and we need them for future fisheries. Smaller schooling trout are still being caught along drop offs and grass beds. Fish 2 to 4 feet areas along bars are good places to look for them. Shrimp like plastics or mullet imitations will be able to bring in good numbers. Along the deeper waters off the flats ladyfish are still busting baits left and right along with a few jacks. These fish hit almost anything and are extremely fun to catch.

Black drum are still in good numbers all over the entire lagoon system. It is hard sometimes to figure out what they want to eat. Shrimp, clams, gulps, flies and even small crabs work at times and at other times it seems nothing works. Again approach these fish with great stealth. If you start chasing them with your trolling motor and they will become so nervous they will most likely spread out and make it even harder for you to get to them. Use your trolling motor to make up huge distances in deeper waters to where it can be worked safely and quietly. Then when you are say 400 to 500 feet from the fish you are targeting push towards them from your poling tower. This will help in your approach tactic allowing you not only to get on them without being heard but you being able to see them well in advance.

Again casting to them and presentation is 90% of the battle. If you land on top of them they will become like that flock of ten thousand birds in the air; one turns they all turn. Once this run-away train starts it is hard to get back with them and for them to stay calm.

As always I look forward to seeing you all on the water. Have a safe and happy fishing trip.

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