The first cold front of winter helps remind me of ways to catch fish in shallow waters. As a front approaches Florida from the north, the wind will be pulled from the south and then southwest pushing a strong incoming tide onto the Big Bend.

When the front is on top of us, the wind will be west and then northwest, and as it passes by it will go straight north, then a bluebird day with brisk northeast wind. The bluebird days are high pressure and generally a tough day fishing but early in the fall we still have warm water where fish will still bite – until the water drops below 70 degrees.

To catch trout and reds, work the small bays around the major creeks with deep water. Any creek or river mouth that has water four feet or deeper is a good starting point. The flats around a river mouth are good for trout with a popping cork rig. Outgoing tide is the best way to get a limit of trout that are around humps or bars that are showing moving water across them.

Redfish are best on the incoming tide on the western-facing points. Live shrimp and cut pinfish have been the best baits, but throwing an Eppinger Rex gold spoon will get the strike and help to work through unproductive water without stopping and starting as you do with live bait. 

Snook are starting to move into the rivers. Docks and points with a drop off on the outgoing tide are good spots but after the hurricane, there are many blow-downs that are holding river snook.

High incoming tide will be early morning this weekend 

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.

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