With Gulf water temps around the Big Bend above 90, hitting the right spots and catching a few then turning the vessel on and running a little to keep cool is how I’ve been working my charters.

On the inshore keys redfish is still the best bite, cut pinfish has been my best bait. It won’t be long before the Reds will begin to school up. On calm days look for a push in the water. A push is when a school of fish is swimming in shallow water and creating small waves on the surface. I like to study the redfish and watch from a distance to see where they are heading, once they have settled down on a particular key, I will then pole my vessel in without any noise to set up and fish for them. 

I have been catching a few more trout as of late west of marker #2 in Homosassa. Using a MirrOlure LiL John in bourbon with a red 1/8th jig head slowly bouncing on the bottom is the best method. The water is around 10 to 12 feet.

The rock in this depth is also holding some nice mangrove snapper and extra large white grunts. Live shrimp is the best bait and once the mangos start biting, capitalize on it by keeping all hands on deck and lines in the water.

Scallops continue to be best on the south side of the Homosassa channel and north around Gomez Rocks.

Incoming tide will be early morning or late 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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