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Today was my second fishing day of an extended trip to Florida. I fished in Mosquito Lagoon for three hours this morning. I had fished there once before with a guide, and things did not go well. Today I fished by myself using my own kayak and tackle. I had been given some intel from a friend of a friend, but most of my planning came from detailed study of the area on Google Maps satellite view.
Shortly after launching at first light, I caught a small snook and two trout.
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I relocated on the far side of the lagoon and went looking for reds. It took a while, but eventually I found them. I tossed a weighted, weedless jighead with 4.5" paddletail near a mangrove island in 12" to 18" depth. I was starting to give up hope when a large brownish fish shot across and grabbed the lure. I fought the fish for 20 mins and was dragged 200 yards. This 31" fish is my personal best redfish caught from a kayak.
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After reviving and releasing the fish, I paddled back to the area where I had caught the other red. A few casts later, I hooked a 26" red on a white paddletail.
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I kept fishing the area and managed two more smaller reds. I had a long drive ahead of me so I cut the trip short.
It is very rewarding to fish a new area using things learned from recent homework and also techniques learned at other locations. Today's fishing was similar to many of the trips I did in the Tampa Bay area, and I could use that knowledge today.
Shortly after launching at first light, I caught a small snook and two trout.
2021-04-11-001.jpg
2021-04-11-003.jpg
I relocated on the far side of the lagoon and went looking for reds. It took a while, but eventually I found them. I tossed a weighted, weedless jighead with 4.5" paddletail near a mangrove island in 12" to 18" depth. I was starting to give up hope when a large brownish fish shot across and grabbed the lure. I fought the fish for 20 mins and was dragged 200 yards. This 31" fish is my personal best redfish caught from a kayak.
2021-04-11-006.jpg
2021-04-11-007.jpg
2021-04-11-008.jpg
After reviving and releasing the fish, I paddled back to the area where I had caught the other red. A few casts later, I hooked a 26" red on a white paddletail.
2021-04-11-011.jpg
2021-04-11-012.jpg
I kept fishing the area and managed two more smaller reds. I had a long drive ahead of me so I cut the trip short.
It is very rewarding to fish a new area using things learned from recent homework and also techniques learned at other locations. Today's fishing was similar to many of the trips I did in the Tampa Bay area, and I could use that knowledge today.
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