New Smyrna Beach Fishing Report

Another warm winter week has passed, hinting at the possibility of a continued mild winter for Florida. Winters are a little different during El Niño years. We have had more cloudy and rainy days than usual but it’s also warmer than usual. This has made the weather very pleasant for fishing! 


Winter fishing is generally focused on the species that are cold tolerant, namely redfish and black drum. In Mosquito Lagoon, located just to the south of Ponce Inlet, New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach, flats fishing should continue to be good through winter. Migratory black drum are down from as far away as Chesapeake bay with the largest drum we. Some of these fish can be as big as 70lbs!


Mosquito Lagoon is mostly clear with good visibility for sight fishing redfish, trout and black drum on fly or light spin tackle. Good grass coverage in many areas has enhanced the fishing this winter and we have been seeing more schools of redfish than in the last couple years. This has made for some great days on the water and combined with the warmer temperatures we have gotten for most of winter, it’s made this season a lot of fun so far.