Nature Coast Fishing
Capt. Sam Medigovich
January 19, 2009
Hernando Beach - Saltwater Fishing Report
What at year this has started out to be with all the new regulations and season closures who the heck knows what to fish for this month, I think Ill just go to Honduras. I have friends there that tell me the fishing is hot in all the rivers where they run out to the sea. Ah, huge Permit and Tarpon in the winter and a cold cerveza on the beach, I think Ill go ahead and book my flight.
We know what the Gulf has to offer this time of year, especially with the water temps way down. And most of you know where and how to catch them. Problem is who wants to run out to deep water, maybe shallow, if you know the right places to target a species that we have all come to expect on our dinner plates after a good day of offshore fishing, and not even be able to keep one for the next two months. I don't like being pessimistic about this and I believe most of our readers and anglers understand the impact this will have especially on our repeat customers looking for some Grouper slabs. Now I don't want this to start sounding like and editorial or commentary, so as I have said before we will have to adapt.
I believe I mentioned it last month but it deserves repeating. The Mangrove Snapper make excellent table fare. And when the water tem does drop as it is now, the Sea Bass seem to take up where the Grouper used to hang out in the shallower water. Now, as far as the Sea Bass go you can pretty much catch your limit. This is a nice white fillet that will satisfy anyone. Now you may have to eat 10 of them to fill your belly but if you don't have that many just put more grits on your plate.
The Mangrove Snapper are out there on almost every rock pile and ledge I have ever fished and dived on. Even in the winter they are there. On a recent trip with my good friend Stacy we caught some Mangrove that went 4 and 5 pounds, just like the ones we had been catching out in the Middle Grounds. So light tackle in the 12 to 15 pound class with fluorocarbon leader and a small hook with the lightest lead you can get away with and go for it. You don't have to go far 15 to 25 ft of water is all you need and plenty of live or dead shrimp. I have even had them hit a small diamond jig when the chum slick was good and the bite on.
So I guess my next report may read something like this;
Rotan Island, Honduras
Best Bet
The fishing is hot, the beer is not and there is room in the hammock so come on down.
Good Luck!
Capt. Sam Medigovich
Rock Boss Charters
San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Target Species:
GROUPER, SNAPPER, KINGS, COBIA AND MUCH MORE
More Fishing Reports:
