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Spring Time
Capt. Joel Gant
March 10, 2017
Hernando Beach - Saltwater Fishing Report
Spring time is here and so are the fish. This is your chance to be able to target the fish you've been waiting for all winter. Fishing should be in full swing, offshore to inshore. As the weather and water gets warmer, the fishing gets hotter.
Offshore species like kingfish, cobia, snappers, hogfish, grouper and sharks are really heating up now. When bottom fishing, I like to look for either live bottom or rocky bottom structures. I start by chumming the area, then send down some cut bait like threadfin. Once I start getting some bites, I'll send down a big piece of cut bait and hold on. Bigger bait usually means bigger fish. With a big bait, let the fish take it for a little bit before hooking up for the fight. Just remember, you must use a circle hook when reef fishing, its the law. Another technique I like to use for mangrove snapper or hogfish is to use a piece of shrimp on a 2/0 circle hook and as light of weight as I can. Let the bait get to the bottom and keep the line just slightly tight till you feel the tug.
On a recent charter, one of my clients said "look, a shark"! Along the side of my boat, a 5 foot tiger shark swam by. I quickly rigged up a fresh piece of cut bait. After a short time the rod bent over and started taking drag out. Thinking it was the tiger shark, we chased and fought the fish for about 20 minutes, finally landing a 6 - 8 foot bull shark to my amazement. Two days later in the same area, I had another big piece of cut bait on and another hard hit. After another long chase and fight, we landed a nice tiger shark. I believe it was the same one we saw earlier. So, if targeting and catching big sharks, now is the time to do it. You can either drift or anchor with some fresh cuts baits and a chum block to fight these monsters of the deep. This is telling me the conditions are finally right, so gear up fishheads and get out there.
The Weeki Wachee Anglers Inc, will be assisting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to provide a Kids Fishing Clinic on April 1, 2017 in Weeki Wachee. The Kids Clinic will be held at Linda Pederson Park, 6300 Shoal Line Blvd, from 9:00 am until noon. At the clinics, the children go through five mandatory skill stations: Casting, Knot Tying, Fishing Tackle, Good Angler and Touch Tank. After approximately one hour of instruction, the children will receive a free rod and reel (compliments of local sponsors while supplies last), and at most clinics, will have the opportunity to fish. Come out its a great family day.
Get out there on the water and make some memories with friends and family!
I'm always looking for reports and pictures. For more information or questions, you can email me or stop by my website and become a "FISHHEAD".
Capt. Joel operates Fishdaddy Charters out of Hernando Beach, he knows the local waters like the back of his hand, and works both inshore and offshore trips. You can reach him at (352) 279-1615 or visit his website, www.fishdaddycharter.com
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