Fishing this week has put me close to the docks. I’ve spent some time around Sugar Bowl and in the Homosassa River. What I’ve been catching on the outside of the river is trout on a popping cork rig, doing long drifts south of the channel. The wind from the north will push your vessel south so cast ahead of the drift. This will be the best way to put some fish in the box for dinner.

River fishing for sheepshead and black drum has been very good.

Look for rocky shorelines that are close to the channel. Live shrimp on a 1/4 oz. jig head will get the bite. Be prepared for lots of snags on the rocky bottom. If it happens, give your line some slack and wait about 2 minutes. If there is bait on your hook, small fish or a keeper sheepshead most of the time will pick it off the rock to save your hook or catch the fish.

When I fish the river I start close to the ramp and work my way west until I find fish. When you find fish it’s because the water temperature is right for the fish and that will be the best area to focus on. I will say it’s not the fast fishing we’ve all experienced but patience and enjoying the beautiful river will pay off at the end of the day.

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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