Central Florida Boating & Fishing

Nearby lake locations, information, and more

How To Fish Our Area

Take a look at some of these resources for the best experience possible!

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This is information is courtesy of our friends at flfishingspots.com.

Please visit their website for maps and more.

Other resources include Fishing Booker, Ponce Inlet Fishing Report, The Daytona Beach News-Journal, Florida Site Fishing, and Florida Sportsman magazine

Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Tackle

Fishing tackle used in Mosquito Lagoon should obviously be very light in size, including rod and reel, line, leaders, or other terminal fishing tackle you may use. The rigs, rods, and reels described below are only a few of the dozens of possibilities and opinions.

Fishing Rod - Spinning

Lightweight, preferably graphite or composite. 8 to 12-pound class rods will work great in most cases. Cork handle. Fuji or equivalent guide with ceramic inserts for casting long distances with light rigging.

Fishing Reel - Spinning

2000 or 3000 size. Smooth drag is a must. Quiet bail action if possible.

Fishing Line - Braid

Power Pro brand or equivalent. 12 to 15-pound test, up to 20-pound test. Preferably Green or Red in color. Leader - Fluorocarbon in 10-15 pound Test.

Fishing Hooks - Live Bait or Cut Bait Fishing

Circle Hook. 3/0 - 5/0 in size. Non-offset.

Fishing Bait - Live and Dead

Finger mullet (live or cut pieces for redfish). Small croaker (alive for mainly trout). Shrimp (live or dead/cut for redfish and trout). Small crabs.

Fishing Lures and Artificial Baits

Top Dog. She Dog. GULP (all colors). MirrOlure. Hakala Gator Spoon. MorrOdine Lures. Plastic Screwtail Jigs (Variety of colors or styles). Plastic Jerk Baits rigged on Daiichi Butt-Dragger Weedless weighted Hooks.

Additional Boating Resources

Discover Boating

Florida Marine Guide

Coastal Conservation Association

  • (CCA) Florida is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of Florida’s marine resources
  • Website: www.ccaflorida.org
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Mosquito Lagoon Fishing Regulations

All Florida fishing regulations apply, even though Mosquito Lagoon belongs to the U.S. government. The following special regulations apply to anglers fishing Mosquito Lagoon:

Anglers must possess a current signed Refuge Sports Fishing Permit at all times while fishing in refuge portions of Mosquito Lagoon. The permit is self-issuing and assures you have read and understand Merritt Island NWR fishing regulations.

You may fish at night from a boat in Mosquito Lagoon, but you may not wade or fish from the bank after dark. You may launch a boat at night from the following boat ramps within the refuge: Bairs Cove, Bio Lab, and Beacon 42. All other refuge boat ramps are closed to night launching.

You may not use air thrust boats, hovercraft, or personal watercraft in Mosquito Lagoon. Anglers must attend their lines.

Commercial fishermen and fishing guides are required to obtain an annual Special Use Permit.

Camping and/or overnight parking, firearms, and open fires are prohibited. Pets must remain on a leash or in your vessel.

To improve fishing and protect grass flats, two pole and troll zones have been established in Mosquito Lagoon. The zones are delineated with buoys. Within the zones, internal combustion engines must be shut off (except in posted channels), and vessels drafting more than 12 inches at rest must not enter. Vessels may be propelled by a non-motorized power source such as drifting, push poles, or paddles. Electric trolling may be used through the zones. Boats may operate internal combustion engines only in the posted channels within the pole and troll zones.

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Mosquito Lagoon Boating Tips

Follow this advice for the best boating experience out on the lagoon.

Go Light

Lighten up by eliminating excess tackle and gear you carry aboard your boat. If you are not going to use it, don’t bring it. If you have not done so, purchase a graphite pole instead of using a fiberglass pole. Make sure trolling motor batteries are fully charged.

Canoes & Kayaks

Consider using a canoe or kayak. They are relatively inexpensive and very light. Launch sites are quite close to the zones. Another tactic is to use your present boat as a mother-ship to haul a kayak or two to the vicinity of where you will be fishing before making your final approach via kayak.

Weather

Learn to use the wind to your advantage. With very little tidal flow in the lagoon, the wind can assist in moving you in the direction you want to go. Also, be sure to bring a rain jacket. Afternoon squalls come up quickly, and moving out of the zones might take longer than you have come to expect.