I am looking forward to some decent weather that is enjoyable to fish in, as we had earlier in the week.

When the wind calms down, one of my favorite springtime fisheries is west of the St. Martins Keys in the
Foul Area. There are many natural rock piles and structures scattered over miles of 6- to 10-feet of water. Many species of fish like trout, spanish mackerel, bluefish, sea bass, pompano, jacks, and ladyfish concentrate here because of the abundant shrimp.

Many times I’ve unhooked a trout and that fish is filled to the gills with shrimp.

The fishing is fairly simple. How I work this area is to set up a drift to try to intersect as many rocks as possible that are marked on my GPS. If you are new to this then drifting and finding rocks on a calm day is part of the work it takes to become successful. I use a 1/8 oz. jig head with a MirrOlure LIL John for bait. I like using this soft plastic because it resembles a shrimp bouncing along the grass.

Having a few different colors of LIL Johns helps because the color that the fish eat can change daily according to the conditions. Once my anglers catch a few fish in a row I’ll stay in that location by
using a marking buoy or GPS.

Etiquette for fishing in the Foul Area is easy, and, if followed, all anglers can put some fish in the box. When approaching the fleet of boats, slow down and put the motor in neutral, then study the drift and
line up with the rest of the fleet accordingly.

I try not to anchor unless it’s on a rock and I’m targeting snappers or grunts. After drifting through the hot spot then I do my best to take a wide berth around the other anglers before setting up another drift.

Incoming tide will be in the afternoon 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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