Cracking Da’ Redfish Code

© Nick Sassic

Old habits die hard in Central Florida’s Mosquito Lagoon. Known as the “Redfish Capital of the World,” Mosquito Lagoon is a 23-mile-long stretch of pristine waterway measuring two to three miles wide. Anglers visit from all over the world to fish the shallow flats, potholes and mangroves that lay protected due to the lagoon’s proximity to Canaveral National Seashore and Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge.© Nick Sassic

The absence of tidal influence is what characterizes these unique waterways as a superior spot for sight fishing redfish. However, experienced anglers will be miffed when their tried-and-true tricks fail to land a big red. Distinct disciplines and techniques are required to successfully land a catch on fly rod when the majority of fish are caught within 40 feet of the boat. 

Regardless of individual skill levels, there are three principles I try to teach each and every client.The first lesson is how to see the fish. Know what to look for, such as blue markings on a tail or white tinged lips under the water’s surface. T raining your eyes to focus on small details like these is essential because spotting the whole fish is not always possible.

© Nick SassicTrain your eyes to spot the little nuances that give fish away such as tailing, waking, busting bait, finning and water swirls. A good pair of polarized sunglasses will help deflect the sun’s glare off the water. If you can see the fish, you are going to be a lot more productive. My most successful days are when clients and I can see the fish together simultaneously.

 The second important technique is how to read the fish. After careful and close observation, you can judge the mood or attitude of individual fish. First, determine what the fish is doing. Is the fish cruising, feeding or just laying there? It’s important to note the location of the fish’s head and tail. Feeding fish can be identified by a nose pointed down and a tail pointed up.

The ever present flats encourage fish to frequently return to certain areas of the lagoon. However, the challenge with fishing in non-tidal waters is predicting when the fish are going to eat. Fishing for redfish in the summer can be more predictable than the winter because mid-day temperatures encourage fish to feed in the mornings and evenings when the water is cooler.© Nick Sassic

 Try to judge if the fish is acting spooky or relaxed. The more observations you can gather from careful examination of fish in their natural habitat, the fewer variables you have to contend with when trying to catch a redfish.

The last technique applied is how to catch the fish?  Hooking a redfish is a trial and error process. We are in it for the hunt. This is why I prefer targeting redfish as singles or doubles in shallow water. When you approach a school of fish, you have a larger mark. However, when one gets spooked, they all do. By casting to individual fish, you have the rare opportunity to read the fish and learn more because it’s a one-on-one hunt. Your mind starts moving, clicking and getting into the groove, and it becomes more of a mental challenge.

© Nick SassicThere are a few things to consider when determining how you are going to catch the fish. Consider what type of fly presentation will be required. What water column do you need the fly to move in? Aim mid-level for cruising fish or lower for tailing fish. What type of strip do you need to make, fast or slow and long or short? The sink rate and type of fly used will be dictated by where the redfish are feeding.

 If a fish spots your fly and refuses, try changing your presentation. If rejection persists, switch to a different fly.  Generally it’s more about presentation than fly selection; however, exceptions do apply.Another point to keep in mind is success always increases when both client and guide work together. It’s imperative to be on the same page. A client pays good money to book a charter, so listen to the captain and ask questions in an effort to reap the most rewards from your fly fishing experience.

 After you catch the fist redfish on fly, the technical aspects all seem to click together and you will know what it takes to catch redfish throughout this particular day. However, don’t be discouraged if it didn’t work out for you this time, because you are learning for the future and your next trip is guaranteed to be more successful. I encourage clients to document or keep a journal of their experiences on varioustrips. Often, technical aspects learned while fly fishing in Mosquito Lagoon can be successfully applied to an angler’s future fishing adventures.

 My experiences have taught me that after sight-fishing in Mosquito Lagoon, you are going to become a better fisherman overall.

» Gallery