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Fishing Report for Homosassa, Florida
Capt. Mike Locklear
October 31, 2002
Homosassa - Saltwater Fishing Report
Homosassa Fishing Guide Loves Warm Fronts
I hope I don’t fall asleep writing this and more importantly that you don't, instead that you enjoy the report. I finally got a day off with some rest and the fishing has been pretty good lately. Redfish, trout, mackerel, grouper, flounder, pompano and jack crevalle all have been tearing it up now. My most recent trip is what the rest of this report is about. The conditions were adverse.
As the warm front approached Homosassa night before last, I knew the winds would come from the southwest and blow 20. The wind would make the tide higher than normal. Nothing gets me more in the mood to go fishing and catch redfish than a good southwester. I was pumped like Warren Sapp gets just before a Bucs game.
Getting up before the alarm comes on is my new routine since the time changed. With added anticipation of catching redfish, I arose bright eyed. Still, I like a good cup of coffee on the way down to the boat ramp. I always try to think of my client’s excitement as they are traveling to meet me on this day. This is the mood I like to be in as well.
Today’s party consist of my Webmaster’s parents, Doug and Julie Lines and Julie’s brother Jim. Doug e-mailed me a couple of months ago to book the trip. Another e-mail came in to me the night before the charter and Doug said they were ready for a break. He and Jim had been doing some remodeling putting in a new floor.
After ramping in at the best boat ramp in Homosassa, I crossed the river and docked at MacRae’s of Homosassa right at opening time. My party was there to greet me and the docks were buzzing with folks getting ready to head out.
A funny thing happened right after I tied up. A client of mine was in a rental boat and could not get it started. He was adrift and the tide was taking him upstream. He asked me if I could help him get the motor started. I said sure just give me your hand. No, he did not pull me overboard, but it was funny that he did not know how to start the engine.
He made reference to that as I cranked the engine with one pull of the cord. The switch has to be in the “on” position.
The river water was already coming up on the parking lot and I knew the tide was not going to be high until 12 noon at the Bait House, so I instructed Doug to move his vehicle to higher ground. After getting a few bags of ice and some shrimp we were the first guide boat backing out from the docks.
We put on some rain jackets as I headed down the 25 mph manatee zoned river. When we arrived to one of my favorite redfish spots that were designed to protect us from the high winds, a beautiful rainbow appeared. It was incredible, as you know the sun has to be shining for a rainbow to appear. Gray skies with big gray clouds were the backdrop for this enormous rainbow that arch was more than 3 miles across.
I tied on some 2/0 #85 Eagle Claw hooks and had a little talk with them about where to cast their live shrimp. My Joe’s C-Claw anchor held the 23-foot boat in position the first try and I was pleased with that. Both Doug and Julie are very experienced anglers. Jim is above average and a hoot to converse with.
After 5 minutes, I could not believe none of them had a redfish bite. Julie mentioned that she felt a tug, but whatever it was let go. I was rigging a 1/8 ounce red Cotee jig head and a rootbeer/gold flake tail when Jim reeled in a hardhead catfish. That kind of ticks off a guide when you catch a catfish, and usually I would pull anchor right away. But it was blowing hard and I was not sure where I was going to try next. So with everyone baited, I cast in my rubber artificial jig and Wham! First cast and second jig it was on! I asked who wanted it and Doug said give it to Julie! She did not really want it at first, but grabbed the rod and made quick work out of reeling in a 23-inch redfish.
After re-tying everyone’s line with jigs, another shower came by us so close that a new rainbow appeared. On this rainbow, the end of it was within 50 feet of us and almost came into our boat. I said, where is the pot of gold! It was so cool watching that rainbow and enjoying the overcast day. I had to move out from the lee of the mangrove island to find some redfish that were hungry.
I moved into a tidal creek far into the backcountry of the Nature Coast. Again, my anchor held and with the help from Doug, our position was perfect for our next spot.
I began chumming a bit and within minutes a redfish was on Doug’s line. Then Julie hooked up. It was a lot of fun for them and Doug giggles like Jimmy Houston when he is playing a fish. I wish I had my video camera to tape him; he was having so much fun.
Jim was kind of staying out of everyone’s way and had not caught a red yet, but he was trying to catch one from the stern of the boat. Doug knew where the honey hole was and he continued to catch redfish between 22-24 inches on four-consectcutive cast.
The warm front now turned into a cold front with a switch to northwest winds. The clouds were now to the south of us. The sun was out and the boat was now out of position to cast to the honey hole. Being a boat owner, Doug offered to help me with the anchor, so I let him as I poled into the wind the 23 footer. It was not easy. We managed as a team to get the anchor back out and got the boat where we wanted it.
Jim now had the hole to his favor and caught a couple of redfish and thus breaking the catfish jinx. After a bit the tide went slack and it was time to head out. Doug and Julie aren’t crazy about trout fishing and the plan was to go grouper fishing from the start. I was not comfortable with that idea the way the wind was blowing, so we opted to trout fish until the wind laid.
We all fished a while and caught some nice trout that we released, when the wind laid enough to try for some grouper. After eating a turkey sandwich and some peaches, I headed out towards some rocks in 8 feet of water, I keep on my GPS. It was still blowing about 10-15 mph, not too bad.
I like to have my people cast plugs with Power Pro and big-lipped lures. When you get a strike it is an awesome hit. The floating grass was terrible and water was churned up from the northwester and the visibility was not very good. We tried several rocks before I chose to move into about 6 feet of water where Jim and Julie both caught a grouper that was just under the 22-inch size limit. I knew it was not going to be a banner day for grouper. The front passed through and the fish were not that hungry now. But it was worth a try to catch a big grouper over a little trout.
Well folks that is about it, if you want to do some fishing in November-December and you want to try the grouper thing, it can be really a fun time. Don’t forget about my world famous shore dinners. I have moved my deep fryer out to an island and I can whip out some fried fish in a jiffy.
Also, fishing rock piles can be constant action for the kids, so think about that. Key West Grunts, sea bass, mackerel and little grouper provide constant line stretching. My 23-foot boat holds four people comfortably, so there’s plenty of room.
And if you are a light tackle buff or fly fisher, don’t forget that I own a Hells Bay Marquesa for ease of poling those clear water Homosassa redfish flats. This boat is an awesome fishing machine and stealth with zero bow slap.
If you have read this far, I appreciate you taking the time. One more thing, if you want to give someone a nice gift, consider giving them a Christmas Gift Certificate for a fishing trip with your favorite guide.
This weekend will be cooler and new moon tides should bring in new fish. Remember if you are too busy to go fishing, you are just too busy!
Capt. Mike
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