Homosassa Scallops & Redfishing
Capt. "Red Ed" Brennan
August 19, 2009
Homosassa - Saltwater Fishing Report
Homosassa Scallops & Redfishing
Homosassa was recently declared "The Scallop Capital of the World", by one of our local Tampa news stations, Bay News 9! Although Homosassa Scalloping hasn't been as good as the last couple of years, folks are still managing to get their limits by just having to swim and search a little longer. The fresh water influx from our almost daily summer afternoon rains has messed with the salinity of the water but has also kept the jellyfish away. Unlike last year where we found the scallops over the lush green grass flats, this year they are more camouflaged with growth that will match the sandy or brown grass on the bottom. Try outside the county line markers in about 3 foot of water just off of Chassahowitzka Point. Hint, look for their cobalt blue eyes on the edge of their shells! Scalloping is still a great way to beat the heat while spending quality time with your family. Where else can you have an underwater Easter egg hunt in pristine gin clear water? I've included a couple of pictures from recent Scallop trips, the first one is the Rupp Family from Bartow, Florida, and the second one is Chad & Taylor Bentley from the Tampa area. They all look like they were having a great time! Scallop season ends September 10th.
Homosassa Redfishing has still been as hot as the weather. Fishing the outside edges and points of the mangrove islands South of Mason Creek on an incoming tide has been the best bet. Bait of choice has been either cut Pinfish or Mullet soaked on the bottom. Kathy Segriff from Williston, Florida, caught her first Redfish, a 27 inch beauty and her picture is this month's "Catch of the Month" on the bottom of our Home Page at, www.HomosassaRedfish.com. Kathy was so excited she sent the following testimonial via e-mail, "Thank you so much!! I was so surprised and happy to see my picture as the "Catch of the Month", and of course I had to send the link to everyone I know! I am referring everyone I know who fishes to you. What a wonderful experience! We are planning another fishing trip very soon and look forward to another Captain Red Ed fishing experience! Talk with you soon! Kathy Segriff."
We also had another recent charter where a couple of the guests caught their first Redfish. Jim Cart from Wesley Chapel was fishing with Dr. Lenny Cacioppo from Brooksville and Mike Wagnoer from Spring Hill and he caught his first two Redfish, (18 & 17 inches), the first place we stopped! There's nothing better then getting the skunk out of the boat at the first stop. Of course, he started to talk trash immediately! The next place we fished, Jim caught another Redfish, which during the fight we thought might be over the 27 inch Florida slot limit. When we finally got the fish netted, it measured 26 ¾ inches and the trash talking was really flying!! Next up it was Dr. Lenny's turn to catch his first Redfish. Not long after he threw a piece of cut mullet up to the rocky shoreline the 26 1/4 inch Bronzed Redfish exploded on the bait and after a good fight they finally stopped Jim from talking! But not for long, as it didn't take long for Jim to catch a 24 inch Redfish. The guys went home with smiles on their faces and a cooler full of fillets, promising to check the Recipe Page on our web-site, and a couple of the caucuses for fish stock!! Let's go CATCHING, Captain Red ED
Upcoming Events
August 30th – Sarasota Slim plays at The Shed at Mac Rae's in Old Homosassa
September 1st - Snook Season opens Statewide
September 26 & 27th – Visit with us at the Florida Sportsman Fishing & Boat Show at the Florida State Fairgrounds
Homosassa Fishing Forecast:
Scallop Season runs through September 10th. September has always been the month, where the Bull Redfish school and invade the shallow near-shore waters. Trout fishing also improves once the flotilla of scallop boats disappear.
Target Species:
Scallops, Redfish, Trout, Sheepshead
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