The Mosquito Lagoon is a non tidal saltwater estuary spanning 23 miles long and over 21,000 acres with an average depth of only 3 feet. A Pole and troll zone stretching 3,143 acres has been put in place to protect the delicate grass beds that cover over half of the lagoon and are home to fish, crabs, shrimp, and many other species of marine life. This is one part of the Indian River Lagoon system running north from Ponce Inlet down to Jupiter Inlet covering 156 miles of inshore waters making it North America's most diverse estuary. There are over 700 species of fish, 310 species of birds, and 470 species of shrimp and crabs.

 

Redfish are plentiful with schools from 30-300 and this is one of the only places where they spend their entire life unlike most fish that move offshore to spawn. This is why we are known for bull reds that can reach over 40 inches in length and weigh between 30 and 50 pounds. During certain months, the big breeding fish will school up by the hundreds and give anglers a shot at a trophy red of a lifetime. This is some awesome sight fishing, quietly poling to a school of tailing redfish, making the good cast and wham, hooked up and hold on! One of the best things about these fish is they will eat a variety of different baits including most artificials making this a sight fisherman's dream. Every year "gator trout" are caught each day also eating most baits, but my favorite has to be top water lures. There's not much more exciting than throwing your plug early in the morning, walking the dog, and getting exploded on by a hungry spotted sea trout. They love live baits also such as pigfish, finger mullet, and shrimp.

 

As good as the lagoon is at fishing, it's just as rich in history. Moving across the back waters there are countless mounds of oyster shells left behind by the Indians hundreds of years ago. During the Prohibition Era, bootleggers smuggled whiskey right through the heart of Mosquito Lagoon in attempts to evade the law. Sometimes they made it, sometimes not. There are many legendary islands such as Orange Island where it's surrounding creeks, cuts, and shallow bays was once home to a magnificent plantation. As the Civil War was taking place, confederate soldiers found Shipyard Island a place they thought was hidden enough to make repairs to damaged vessels.

 

This is why a camera is almost a must for your trip!

 

- Capt. Jeff