Gonna need your big jacket on the Big Bend this week!

Cold weather has settled into our area and that will drive fish up into the spring-fed rivers. The warm waters help cold-susceptible fish, like snook, survive.

Redfish, black drum, trout and mangrove snapper will make anglers happy in the protected waters. In the upper reaches of the spring-fed rivers, fishermen with MirrOlure MirrOdines will bend the rod with ladyfish and small snook.

Downriver in the deep pockets near the channel, along rocky points and docks, the water will be a few degrees warmer with the outgoing tide pulling the spring waters throughout the river. Use live shrimp on the bottom to catch redfish, black drum, trout, and sheepshead. 

On the nearshore rocks, if the winds permit, there are sheepshead starting at 10 feet. Live shrimp is the best bait.

High incoming tide is late afternoon this weekend. 

Free Homosassa 101 Fishing Clinic February 6

To learn more about fishing and conservation in Citrus County join me at the Homosassa Civic Club on February 6 at 7 pm for a free “Homosassa 101” seminar. Please bring your questions.

Homosassa Weekly Fishing Report from Captain William Toney

To schedule a fishing charter or shore lunch excursion with Captain Toney, visit his website.

If you want to learn more about how to catch Nature Coast fish from Captain Toney, subscribe to his videos at https://inthespread.com