The Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon system is fishing the early-summer pattern this week. Redfish continue to tail on the lower tides, snook have shifted to their beach pattern from Cocoa Beach through Sebastian, and the offshore fleet is running mahi within 15 miles when the wind allows. Several windy afternoons cut into the offshore time but mornings have been productive.
Mosquito Lagoon — Tailing Reds, Trout on the Edge
The Mosquito Lagoon redfish fishery is in textbook form. Tailing schools are working the lower tides through the JBs and Whale Tail areas on the western shore. Sight casting with weedless gold spoons or 1/4 oz weighted soft plastics is the productive technique. The early window from first light through about 9 AM is the consistent producer.
Spotted seatrout are holding on the deeper grass edges in 3-4 feet of water. Live shrimp under a popping cork or DOA Cal soft plastics on light jigheads are producing limits when fish are located.
The catch-and-release ethic in the Lagoon continues to matter — slot fish only, careful release, no oversized fish in the boat.
Indian River — Snook, Reds, Black Drum
The Indian River through Titusville and down to Sebastian is producing a strong species mix. Snook are stacking on the spillway outflows and around the bridge structure. Live mullet or pilchards on circle hooks are producing the bigger fish, while artificials (DOA Bait Busters, Rapala X-Raps) work for the school-sized fish.
Black drum continue on the bridges and channel edges. Live shrimp or cut clam on small circle hooks is the standard. The Sebastian and Wabasso area bridges are reliable producers.
The Sebastian Inlet itself remains a top-tier producer for snook, redfish, and the mix species. The night incoming tide is the high-percentage window. Heavy tackle is required for the inlet fish — 40 lb fluoro and a 6500-class reel minimum.
Beach Pattern — Snook, Tarpon Ghosts
Snook have completed their move to the beach pattern. From Cocoa Beach through Indialantic and down to Melbourne Beach, fish are working the trough at dawn and dusk. White or bone-colored swimming plugs and DOA Bait Busters are producing. The night dock-light bite continues to fish well throughout the lagoon system.
A few tarpon are starting to show in the beach wash for sight casters running the beach in calmer mornings. The migration peaks in June through this stretch — early fish are arriving.
Offshore — Mahi, Sails Tapering
The mahi-mahi bite is in mid-window. Boats running 8-15 miles east to weed lines and color breaks are finding scattered schools. Trolled ballyhoo on light fluoro is the standard. Schoolies dominate but a few 20+ lb gaffers have come over the rails.
Sailfish numbers have tapered from the spring peak. A few daily releases continue for boats putting in the time on the reef edge.
Kingfish are reliable on the nearshore reefs in 50-80 feet. Slow-trolled live blue runners are producing fish in the 20-35 lb range.
What’s Ahead
The new moon is June 5 — expect strong tarpon push and active migration cycles. Federal snapper opens June 1 (verify NOAA dates). Water temperatures climbing into the upper 80s in the Lagoon, low 80s nearshore.
For this weekend: tailing reds at dawn on the Lagoon, beach snook morning and dusk, offshore runs in the morning windows.
Tight lines.