Rods, Reels, and Line
I use and recommend Shimano spinning reels, Stradics and Spheros. Sizes range from 1500s for ultralight fishing to 6000s for tarpon and other large ocean fish. Of course other quality reels will do the job.
I use a variety of rods depending on the application. Manufacturers include Shimano, Cape Fear, and others.
I use braided line exclusively and am partial to Power Pro and Stren Super Braid.
Lures
Lures for use in the lagoons must be weedless. I prefer lures with single hooks.
Spoons- I use the Johnson Minnow, silver or gold, 1/8th and 1/4 ounce.
Jigs- I have a stash of RipTide Weedless jigs, 1/8th ounce. Unfortunately these are no longer made.
I use DOA CAL jigheads in 1/16th ounce
to one ounce sizes, inshore and in the ocean.
Soft Plastics- I use a small selection, most from DOA.
DOA Shrimp, 3".
DOA Bait Buster, shallow running inshore, deep runner off the beach.
DOA CAL Shad.
DOA CAL jerkbaits, both the 4" and 5".
Plugs- I seldom use plugs. Too many hooks! I do use Storm's Chug Bug, 4", a popper. I sometimes remove the trebles and add a large single hook to the plug.
I use other lures as the situation dictates.
Bait
I own an eight foot cast net and use it to catch mullet, menhaden, pinfish, and other small fish as needed. I use chunk bait and shrimp too, as appropriate and desired by my fishermen.
I use what my fishermen want to use, because when they're happy so am I! Let me know your wishes and I will do my best to meet them.
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What We Do: Spotted Tail Charter Service provides expert fishing charter services and fishing instruction. We specialize in shallow water sight fishing with fly fishing and light spinning tackle. We fish on the Mosquito Lagoon, the Indian River Lagoon, the Banana River Lagoon, and near coastal Atlantic Ocean, for redfish, tarpon, seatrout, snook, and many other species of fish. The cities we service include Orlando, Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, Melbourne, New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach, and the rest of the central Florida area and attractions.