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Fishing Report for Homosassa, Florida
Capt. Mike Locklear
April 20, 2002
Homosassa - Saltwater Fishing Report
HOMOSASSA TARPON FEVER
When I hear the sound of whipporwill before I go to bed at night, that tells me that the arrival of the mighty silver king ‘megalopacus atalanticus” is upon us. Migratory schools of giant tarpon make their way to Homosassa’s gulf coast each year for about two to three months.
Professional fishing guides ready their 16-18 foot skiffs with twin electric trolling motors, several deep cycle batteries, and extra long push poles. Preparations include tying flies and rigging leaders that have Bimini knots that will not break before the line does. Big outboard motors, trailer bearings, and tow vehicles all get their preventative maintenance before the start of the three month long camp.
The not so sleepy village on the Homosassa river becomes a little busier in May and June with presence of flats skiffs fueling up each day at one of the marinas along the river. Well-to-do fly fishers from almost every corner of the earth come here to pursue a world record. But not all who come here care about the records.
For many the challenge is to present a three inch fly to one of the largest sport fish that swims along the west coast of Florida. Some fishermen come back every year because they are successful in hooking a large tarpon. Many say, it just does not get any better than this.
Fly fishing for tarpon is not for everyone. In the last 20 years, I have seen a few anglers quit because they could not deliver the goods or they get frustrated because the fish just don’t jump right onto the hook every single time. The ones who stick with it will sooner than later hook-up. Accuracy and placement of the fly in the direction that the fish is swimming rather than where it already is accounts for some success.
Some anglers have nearly passed out from physical exhaustion, cramping up and having to sit down to fight a fish. It is very important to be in good shape to do battle with one of these fish. And it takes most of the time two people, one to guide the boat along and follow the fish while the other keep the pressure on.
Tarpon over 120 pounds are considered a giant. There are many each year that are hooked and jumped, but lost after the first time the fish hits the air. But the memory of the gill rattling acrobatically silver beast lingers in the minds forever. For many the eat and the jumps are the most rewarding. Once a tarpon angler gets the fever, he’s usually hooked for life.
Preparation begins with a desire to pursue a hobby that could be costly. It is a rich man’s sport, but by hiring a guide for $400-500 a day, you can avoid the cost of a world class rod and reel that could cost more than $1400. That is just the beginning. Add a world class flats boat for 50 grand. There are less expensive rods, reels and boats on the market and they can be found with a little research. But keep in mind you usually get what you pay for.
The cost of an experienced guide is priceless to an obsessed tarpon buff. Many discerning anglers book their guides years in advance. A six month notice or booking in the winter is the best time to get prime dates. My guide service includes finding qualified fly fishing guides for clients whom I can not take because of late scheduling.
For beginners, fly casting lessons are essential in grasping the double hauling technique that will send a fly line shooting into a 10 knot wind through the 9 foot fly rod at distances up to 100 feet. A 60-70 foot cast will suffice if thrown quickly and accurately.
Learning the ropes does not come easy. But the reward is great if you really want a challenge. There are two instructional videos that are very helpful in learning the sport that were filmed on the Homosassa flats. “The Challenge of Giant Tarpon” by Billy Pate and “The Quest for Giant Tarpon by Stu Apte”
One local fly shop is capable cater to the fly angler in Citrus County. The Fly Shop of Best Western in Crystal River. Owner, Darryl Seaton is an avid fly fisher. Daisy Bazo who works at the fly shop and ties custom tarpon flys. She relies on her husband, Capt. John Bazo’s advice who has spent 10 years on the tarpon flats. Capt. Bazo is the man to show the nuts and bolts of salt water long distance fly casting. He has plenty of patience.
If you have never ever cast a fly rod, then maybe you might want to arrange for some lessons. I started fly fishing for tarpon as a beginner. If I can do it, then you can too. Captains John Bazo, Jim Long, Bill Fitzsimmons and myself offer personal instruction that is necessary to begin. A guided trip would be the way to learn the most from the pros who know. We are starting to get pretty busy now, so this coming Christmas, ask your wife to buy you some fly casting lessons.
Come to Homosassa. Learn to fly fish. Maybe the whippoorwill will give you the tarpon fever as well.
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