After an intense week of a full moon tides around the Big Bend, the fish are starting to make some new pre-summer patterns. Starting south, some tarpon are showing up around Chassahowitzka. Most of the anglers are fly fisherman trying to catch a fish of a lifetime.

Homosassa is well known for its potential record-breaking tarpon so if it’s something that you are interested in, then I suggest booking with a guide who specializes in it. If you’re looking to catch lots of tarpon there are better places south of us that have more fish but for a big well-earned tarpon, we are the spot. 

For some good action start around the 8-foot mark west of the St. Martins Keys. I’ve been using the MirrOlure LIL Johns in watermelon red flake on a 1/8th oz.  D.O.A. jig head with a 7′ 6″ Boner 8 to 15 medium fast rod. I use 10 lb. Power Pro Braid with a Seaguar 20lb. floro carbon leader.

If the day has a nice breeze to keep the boat moving, it’s best, and incoming or outgoing tide will work as long as there is moving water. I like to cast ahead of the vessel’s drift and use a vertical twitch retrieve keeping the lure in the bottom water column.

Most of the fish have been trout, blue fish, sea bass, grunts, lady fish and blue runners. For spanish mackerel, move out further into the 14-to-18-foot range. I have not been catching them in the nearshore flats.

Incoming tide this weekend will be 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.

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