Hernando Beach inshore report

Capt. Keith Tomlinson
July 14, 2009
Hernando Beach - Saltwater Fishing Report

The weather this past week was beautiful giving us anglers a chance to get out on the water and wet a line. All the recent rain has cooled the gulf waters a little. This drop in temperature has fish in our area on a feeding frenzy. The best bite is still in the morning before the summer heat shuts the bite down. Try to fish the skinny water early if the tide allows and then move deeper as the day gets hotter.
The Hernando Beach channel has been a hot spot this past week. This area can be very difficult to fish at times with all the boat traffic. This traffic can cause the fish roaming the spoil islands near the channel to spook easy or force them to relocate to a quieter location. I try to fish this area on week days when there is less pressure on the fish. I also hit the water as early as I can stand it. Red fish,trout,snook,cobia,mangrove snapper, and more can all be caught here. Select shrimp or pin fish are my favorite live baits to use, and a Johnson gold spoon or scented GULP 3" shrimp on a 1/8 ounce jig. Work your lures slow, and make as long of a cast so these fish will see your presentation before they see you. Using braided line like Power Pro or Suffix gives maximum casting distance. This area will be affected with the much needed upcoming dredge but don't worry, when the dredge is finished we should have more structure to fish.
Trout have been the most consistent bite on the flats this past week. 6 - 10 ft of water has been holding great numbers of quality trout. Pin fish and New Penny GULP 3" shrimp are my baits of choice, but these guys will feed on a lot of baits. Silver spoons,Mirro-lure mirrodines,and live select shrimp are also effective tactics. The best bite is early but these fish are feeding throughout the day. I like to drift fish and cover a lot of territory. When drifting we have been catching mackerel,sea bass,lady fish,blue fish,grouper, and a lot of sharks. There are a ton of juvenile sharks in the flats right now. If you want to target some big sharks then put a chum bag out,beef up your tackle, and hang on.
Good luck out there and tight lines!

Capt. Keith Tomlinson
Bulldog Fishin Charters
www.bulldogfishin.com
(352)238-3581

Target Species:

red fish,trout,snook,shark,and more

More Fishing Reports:

• All Reports by Capt. Keith Tomlinson
• Hernando Beach Fishing Reports
• West Florida (Englewood to Cedar Key) Reports
• Florida Fishing Reports
• Browse All Fishing Reports