The mangrove snapper and redfish bite has been my stronghold on most of my charters. Snapper are on the nearshore rocks and redfish are tucked deep under the mangroves, so putting that bait way back in the shadows is how to make catches happen. Live shrimp is best for the snapper and I’ve been using cut pinfish for the reds. 

Further out, about 3 miles west of Homosassa Marker 2 in the deep grass beds, I have been catching a few nice trout using bourbon-colored MirrOlure LIL Johns with a 1/8th oz. red jig head. Work the bait near the bottom with short upward bounces and then let it fall. Most strikes are a small tick in the line, so using braided line is best.

Another method is to cast behind the drift of the vessel and let out about 70 feet of line. Let it troll behind the boat with an occasional twitch of the rod tip.

Back inshore on the flats north and south of the river is a morning trout bite until the sun starts to heat up the water. A little breeze helps the bite and I’ve used a popping cork with a soft plastic to get the bite.

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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