Starting with fishing in our rivers, there are some sheepshead and black drum. I’ve had the best luck fishing the outgoing tide with live shrimp on the bottom. Cooler days are best and be patient while waiting for the bite.

When you cast the 1/8th oz. jig head with a tail-hooked live shrimp near the deeper points along the channel and let the bait sit. I instruct my anglers, “If you pull your bait along the bottom, it will get hung on the rocks. Let it sit and the fish will find it.” If you do get hung, let the hook rest for a few minutes, then maybe a fish will pick it up or the tide will wash it free saving your tackle.

The trout bite has been best near the entrances of the major creeks or river mouths. Think of a small area and not a long drift. If you catch a few trout in a row stick to that spot. Polling, trolling motor or cranking the outboard and giving a wide berth and working that area
can help you catch a limit.

On the offshore side, hogfish has been the best bite. The best captains I’ve talked to say to work the water from 18 to 25 feet. A jig called “hog balls” (they sell them at Sodium in Crystal River) will help get the bite. You must work through the regular reef fish, then use the hog ball on the sand around the structure with a drop to the bottom, lift the rod tip, and then fall to hit the sand. Continue until the hogfish start biting.

High incoming tide will be mid-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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