With the churned-up waters south of Chassahowitzka, the tarpon anglers are having a hard time spotting fish until they are on top of you. Lighter winds should help this week, so fly anglers can get their shots, but a live crab can mostly guarantee a jumping fish if not hooked and landed.  

For redfish action south of the river, use a cork and shrimp on the incoming tide along points and long shorelines with ribbon rock bottom. The cork will help prevent getting caught on the bottom and also let your bait stay in the strike zone all the way down the edge of the bank.

North of the river I’ve been using live or cut pinfish pitched back as far under the overhanging mangrove as possible. The fun part is working the fish out without tangling or snagging a submerged branch and breaking off the line. 

The near shore rocks are getting better with decent mangrove snappers and big grunts. Around ten feet is the best starting spot. I use a 1/8 oz. jig head with a live shrimp for bait. After fishing the rocks, I like to put a MirrOlure LIL John in watermelon red flake on the jig head and do a drift for trout and sea bass. Make a long cast ahead of the vessels drift and work it with a vertical jigging action near the bottom. The bite has not been consistent but a few of each of these fish will make a nice meal.

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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