As of now the top inshore fish to catch is redfish. During the incoming tide is the best time to start. I like to start at the outside keys and work my way east with the incoming tide. On the outside keys I’ve had the best luck with live or cut pinfish. As I fish further east, I like to switch over to artificial baits like the D.O.A. 5.5 jerk bait with the gold glitter belly or an Eppinger Rex gold spoon. A gold spoon is an excellent search bait because of the distance you can cast it. The retrieve is easy, just reel it in with a steady pace to keep it from hanging on the rocks.

Shorelines that I find the most productive are those that have lots of mullet or porpoise working in the nearby area. Most of the time the porpoise are working the mullet and not after the redfish. The redfish will push up against the key until the porpoise moves on, therefore concentrating them. 

The shallow rocks have been productive with white grunts, snapper and a few flounder. A shrimp on a jighead is the best bait. The lower profile rocks seem to have the most fish.

Offshore captains are doing well with red snapper, red grouper, mangrove snapper and hogfish. The best depth is starting at 50 feet.

High incoming tide this weekend will be midday.

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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