Big gator seatrout have bestowed themselves upon us in in their yearly spawning duties! This truly is one of my favorite times of the year. These monster fish that can reach up into the 30″ range are taking anything from topwater lures which are my absolute favorite, to soft plastic jerk shad imitations, to live bait such as finger mullet, pinfish, and even the prized jewel of a pigfish. I will remind everyone that these are spawning fish and need to be handled with the utmost respect and care. There’s no sense in throwing these big girls in the cooler for table fair later on as they can produce a few thousand more trout in just one egg laying. A quick photo or two and she should be on her way back to the hole you caught her from. Look for these trout on grassy flats with deep sandholes or even smaller pond areas that have low visibility but offer enough water to keep them happy.
The recent high amounts of rainfall have driven the water levels in the Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River, and the Banana River up which has made finding our normal redfish a bit tougher. Areas that were inaccessible to even the shallowest drafting flats skiff are now 3′ deep. The fish we are finding though are swimming in singles or doubles which will make the inexperienced caster a little frustrated. Remember to keep calm, take a deep breath and make your cast with confidence! I promise, watching your fish eat the well presented lure right before your eyes will make and unforgettable memory.
Owned and operated by Capt. Tyler Vollmer, Hook Em Flats Fishing Charters is a full service fishing guide service operating out of Cocoa, Florida. We specialize in 1/2 day, 3/4 day, and full day trips on the Indian River Lagoon, Banana River, and Mosquito Lagoon targeting redfish, speckled sea trout, black drum, snook, tarpon and a variety of other saltwater species.
We’re less than an hour’s drive from the popular tourist destinations of Orlando and Daytona Beach, and only 30 minutes from the many cruise ships that call Port Canaveral home. If you’re a visitor to central Florida, a guided fishing trip doesn’t only provide for great fishing action, it’s also an excellent way to explore the natural beauty the area has to offer. Porpoises, alligators, manatees, and a variety of water fowl are a regular part of a day out fishing with Capt. Vollmer.
We welcome anglers of all ages and skill levels. All of our trips are customized to the skill level and desires of the customer. Capt. Vollmer loves to teach and share his passion for fishing, so if you’re an inexperienced angler you’ll not only enjoy the day, but you’ll learn a lot as well. If you’re an experienced angler looking for the challenge of stalking and site casting for large redfish and black drum, Capt. Tyler has the know how to get you in range of the fish you’re looking for.
For more details about the trips we offer please check out the “Trip Details” page. We look forward to fishing with you.
