The best bite inshore has been redfish. As we get further into fall, the evenings will get darker sooner, which will help drop our Nature Coast water temperatures. Although the water temps are still in the mid-80s, this is the best time of the year to experience a nice school of redfish.

Looking into the water and picking out mullet, snook, and redfish takes a trained eye. Amber-colored lenses in quality sunglasses make the difference between guessing or just casting into the blind when an angler is fishing on the flats.

Mullet tend to dimple and flip in tight schools and this is a good indicator that redfish are in the area.

Redfish will make a “push” or small wake as they move through the water. Redfish will move in uniform together and then settle down and hole up at a given location. It’s hard to see them if it’s cloudy or if there is a chop from the wind. The key to getting set up just right is to read the water and move your vessel in short increments so as not to run them over and spook them into the next zip code. 

The inshore grouper fishing has been good but not great. If you would like to catch one on a casting plug, wait a few weeks and let the grass move out. The ones that my anglers have caught have been on a heavy bottom rig with a grunt or porgy head. Put the bait close to the structure and sit and let it happen.

High incoming tide will be mid-day 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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