As we move one month closer to spring, the inshore fishing remains mostly unchanged. The rivers are still holding sheepshead, black drum, small mangrove snapper, and the occasional keeper trout and redfish. The best bait is live shrimp fished on the bottom.

On the warmer days or the warmest part of the day, the outside edge on the hard flats around the keys is where nice trout are being caught on jerk baits with a nose-hooked rig. The long cast is the way to find the trout and most of the time if you have a hookup, stop the vessel and fan cast the area because the fish are tight together or schooled up.

The nearshore rocks are still producing some sheepshead and white grunts. Although I have to say I’ve had better luck with sheepshead that are bigger in the rivers. Some of the nearshore rocks will surprise you with keeper trout that are working their way inshore with the changing conditions, so be prepared on your day fishing to make the run if nothing is happening inshore.

This is the time of year that when I have days off I like to play in the woods. Some Wildlife Management Areas have a small game season that allows for squirrel and wild hogs to be harvested. It’s a fine time for a nice walk through the Big Bend hammocks and woods, plus the opportunity to bag some game. Generally, the woods are quiet with the lack of hunters so getting out and enjoying the cool weather is good for your soul.

If you would still like to pursue a buck deer, with a 3-hour ride north of us, the Apalachicola National Forest is still open for deer hunting almost till the end of February. This national forest has free primitive camping or you can drag your camper trailer to one of the many camping areas. For the best info to put you on track for some hunting fun always go to www.myfwc.com.

High incoming tide this weekend will be in the early morning.

Homosassa Inshore Fishing Report from Captain William Toney

To schedule a fishing charter or shore lunch excursion with Captain Toney, visit his website. A third-generation fishing guide in the Homosassa area, a member of the Homosassa Guides Association, and author of the Homosassa Inshore Fishing Report each week in NatureCoaster.com.

To read about our Shore Lunch excursion with Captain Toney, click here.

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