Captain
Billy Rotne
email: captbillyrotne@yahoo.com
phone: 386.290.9897
USCG Licened and Insured
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Capt.
Billy offers a variety of trips depending on what style of fishing
you prefer. Trips are available for everyone from the seasoned
fly fishermen to the beginner. No matter what type of fishing
you like to do, Capt. Billy can put you on fish.
Mosquito Lagoon and Tomoka Basin
Everyone loves flats fishing for its exciting action with big
fish in shallow water. Its hard to beat seeing a 20 lb Redfish
eat you lure or fly just a few feet from the boat. If you plan
on fishing Mosquito Lagoon or Tomoka Basin with Capt. Billy,
expect to see almost every fish you catch before you hook him.
Most fish will be landed in less that a foot of water, some
much shallower. Reds, Trout, Black Drum, and Tarpon will be
the targets on these trips.
Sightfishing will be the main technique used to land these fish.
In other words, this technique requires you to spot the fish
before you cast to him and catch him. The goal is to spot the
fish before he spots you, then quietly make an accurate cast
in front of him and present the lure to the fish as he approaches.
Accuracy is extremely important in this style of fishing, and
Capt. Billy will make it as easy by getting you as close to
the fish as possible and positioning the skiff so you have the
easiest cast. On an average day you will have 75-100 shots at
Redfish or trout, sometime many more, expect to land 5-10 fish
on an average day, and some days more. Patience is a must as
sometimes you will see 100 fish before you catch one fish, but
when you do land that fish, it is all the more rewarding.
The majority of anglers will fish in Mosquito Lagoon. Expect
to see a large body of water with crystal clear flats with bottoms
covered in sea grass. Slot Redfish and Trout inhabit the majority
of the lagoons shallow flats with larger fish on the deeper
flats and shoals. Sometimes the lagoon Redfish, large and small
gather and school in large numbers. This is quite an impressive
sight and a year-round occurrence, but the most fish are schooled
during the winter months. The lagoon is a lot like a little
piece of the everglades right here on the east coast of Florida.
Fly Fisherman may choose to fish Tomoka Basin with Capt. Billy.
These anglers can expect a one on one trip with the captain,
hunting some of the shallowest Redfish Florida has to offer.
If Mosquito Lagoon is a little piece of the Everglades, Tomoka
is a little piece of Louisiana! The water is muddy and shallow,
less that 5 inches deep in most places, with a muddy bottom.
Many of the fish you will catch will have the bottom of their
tails rounded with mud on their tails from an entire life in
mere inches of water. These Reds, unlike the well educated Mosquito
Lagoon fish, often have never seen a fly or boat before, which
leads to much more aggressive takes and much more brazen fish
who aren't afraid to crawl across 3 inches of water in search
of a crab. These trips are fly fishing only, and Capt. Billy
insists that all fish landed in this area are released. Weather
dictates these trips also, as calm winds are a must for these
fish in murky water. If you are looking for a unique trip that
will suite any purist fly fisherman's taste, this is for you!
Docklight Snook and Trout
If you are looking for numbers of fish, then docklight fishing
is for you. Where as fishing in Mosquito Lagoon is not about
the number of fish caught, but the excitement of sightcasting
to fish in shallow water, docklight fishing for Trout and Snook
will allow for constant action and large numbers of fish. This
type of fishing is great for novice anglers or taking kids fishing.
Also, if you goal for the trip is to bring home fish to eat,
these are the trips to book. Capt. Billy releases most Mosquito
Lagoon fish, but doesn't mind keeping a few docklight Trout
for dinner.
Catching a Snook is the main goal on most nights of docklight
fishing, as these fish provide a challenge to even the most
experience anglers. Most Snook average 5-10 lbs. Sightcasting
a fly or shrimp to a Snook hovering under a docklight or boat
is one of the most exciting sights in fishing. Trout also provide
constant action throughout the night. Most docklight Trout average
1-4 lbs which are perfect size for eating, however you may catch
a larger Trout in some locations while fishing for Snook.
Flounder Gigging
Capt. Billy is the only guide in this area that offer Flounder
gigging charters. Peak gigging is in the fall months, but gigging
can be done year-round. When gigging you will gig Flounder as
well as Sheephead. Both are an excellent quality eating fish.
As with docklight fishing, if you are looking to catch a few
fish to eat, the gigging is the trip to book. Capt. Billy gigs
out of his Hells Bay with a custom made light rig. He does not
use a motor, but uses his custom stainless steel gigs to pole
the skiff along, so you never miss a fish. While poling, you
will also see Snook, Redfish, and Trout in inches of water along
shorelines. A rod rigged will be rigged up ready for one of
these occasions so you may have a chance to actually sightcast
one of these fish at night!
What to bring
For any trips in the day, wear a hat and you favorite pair of
polarized glasses. These two items are essential for sightfishing
so if you do not have any, Capt. Billy will provide them for
you. In the summer months wear light clothing that you are not
afraid of getting a little wet due to the afternoon thunderstorms.
Capt. Billy does provide rain gear in case of a sudden shower.
In the winter months, dress in layers and wear a good wind breaker.
It usually warms up in the afternoon, even in the winter, but
mornings can be chilly!
Capt. Billy provides all licenses, tackle, photography and equipment
you need. Drink will be provided, but if you want to bring a
small cooler with some snacks or drinks of your own, you are
more than welcome to. If you wish to use your own tackle, please
contact Capt. Billy to see if it is appropriate for the type
of fishing you will be doing on your trip.
And most importantly, bring is a good attitude and patience,
and be ready to have a great time!
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