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Fishing Report for Homosassa, Florida
Capt. Mike Locklear
February 10, 2002
Homosassa - Saltwater Fishing Report
The Homosassa flats were fairly active as the water temperature rose to 66 degrees from a chilly 56 at the beginning of the day. This little warm up triggered some feeding.
The tides were barely high enough to navigate the Flatfisher 1. This 23 foot boat will float in 8 inches of water, but she is just too heavy to pole any long distances. The spots I like to fish are at least 500 yards up on a skinny water flat. I think my body is getting too worn out to pole like I use to. Don’t count me out just yet though as I am looking for a lighter boat to push around with. Anyone have a Hells Bay they don't like?
At any rate, my group of anglers managed to catch 8 nice sheepshead up to 3 pounds. We released several others that were too small to keep. These fish ate shrimp of course. With the tide up, we barely got onto the redfish flats and managed to catch one keeper redfish. We did not spend much time looking because the tide was already starting out and we did not want to get trapped or stuck in the mud so to speak.
We finished the day up with some spotted seatrout fishing, catching perhaps 20 up to 16 inches. No real monsters here like I have been hearing about down south towards Charlotte Harbor. In our area, trout season is closed for the month of February, however, fishing south of the Anclote River is now open.
The last week of February should be the beginning week of some decent high tides for us to pursue redfish. March will be better yet and April will be prime. This is a good time of year to book your trips ahead for your favorite guide. Or get you reels service, your flies tied and the boat waxed. Spring is just around the corner, so get ready.
The grouper are still chewing real good in about 40 feet of water for those who like that type of fishing. I like to do the shallow water plug casting and it will be around Easter before the grouper move back into the shallows. Most of what was in shallow water has been caught up or the fish moved on out into deeper water.
Look for mackerel to be showing up by the end February. Could be that we have a good run of bluefish and trout along with the macks in the form of a mud, where action gets real good. March is the best month to look for the mud slicks in depths of 10 feet of water.
We have a lot to look forward to in the coming months. Right now, I prefer to get ready for all that reel action. Kind of the same way you do when you prepare for turkey season.
You know this time of year, its time to be thinking about going to seminars to learn about your favorite pastime.
The shallow water fishing expo in Atlanta is one event I do not want to miss. If any of you are in Atlanta the weekend of February 23-24, stop by and see me at Gangler’s North Seal River Lodge booth. You can visit Ken's web site at: http://www.ganglers.com Come on over and we can talk some fishing, one on one. For directions to this event see the promoters web site at: http://www.castlow.com
Also, the Frank Sargeant Outdoors Exposition in Tampa on March 1-3 is going to be very educational for the sportsman. I plan on being there on March 3 to learn from my peers and see old friends. The event will be held at the Tampa Fairgrounds on US 301.
Capt. Mike Locklear
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