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Fishing Report for Homosassa, Florida
Capt. Mike Locklear
December 4, 2002
Homosassa - Saltwater Fishing Report
Homosassa fishing is always good, however, sometimes the catching varies. Our winter like conditions have caused the water temperature to drop between the mid 50’s to the low 60’s. The fish have gotten use to the change and feed during the approach of a cold front. Because the trout slow down and move little when the water gets cold, they don’t eat as much food as usual. The warmer afternoons have been more productive.
On the other hand sheepshead like the water cold and will eat all throughout the winter. These fish are delicious on the table and are pretty good fighters on light tackle spinning rods.
Grouper offshore chewed up the live baits from many of my friends who like to go out far. Depths of 30-40 feet have been very productive for those who like to do the deep-sea fishing deal. The shallow water fishery, however, has not taken off by my accounts. I am waiting on the water to warm back up for some exciting plug fishing on light tackle and hope to bring home some slabs for the freezer in the near future.
Today I did a 5-hour charter with one of my favorite clients in the whole wide world. Enter Sam Shine and his buddies Pete and Tom. We wanted redfish, but the tides just did not make high enough to fish the reef, so we went sheepshead fishing. Sam wondered if I was taking him grouper fishing when I brought the boat to a stop several miles offshore.
Along with three-keeper sheepshead to three pounds, the trio all reeled in a half of dozen grouper, I have to admit they were not keepers, but they sure pulled hard on their light tackle. Sam caught an 18-inch grouper that had another line hanging out from its mouth. I cut it off and let the fish go back in. You see we were in water you could stand up in, so that is why we did not catch any hogs.
I told Sam and the guys we could try again for the reds, but when I rode into the redfish creek, the tide was still way too low, so I made a u-turn on a plane and got out real quick before I hit rock bottom. These rocks here in Homosassa on low tide can do some real damage even to a veteran guide.
So I went to the trout creek and anchored up and had the guys toss out some live shrimp under corks. Actually, Pete had a 1/8 ounce red Cotee jig head with a white/red curly tail and caught the first one, and then I dropped the anchor over. Sam then became trout master and reeled in 4 nice fat trout between 18-20 inches. Tom caught two keepers before Sam said its time to call it a day.
The best thing about today was the warm weather. Finally it got warm enough to enjoy a short sleeve shirt and shorts.
On Monday, December 2, my clients consisted of a father/son team by the name of Paul and David Trivelpiece. David lives in San Diego, CA and his Dad lives here. There was a special occasion to celebrate; it was Paul’s birthday. This was David’s treat for his Dad.
The morning started out cold for me as I had ice all over my boat when I arrived at MacRae’s Bait House. I was not moving very fast but I was warm enough with my Thinsulate boots that I was not shivering.
We had some small talk about the Buccaneer loss to New Orleans on the way down the river. I stopped near marker 45 and anchored. The tide seemed low as it gets, but somehow it was still running out. Paul began catching some New York keeper trout, he told me the limit is 5 inches I think. Anyway, he caught about 5 of those little fish and pinfish. He even counted that one! Now David still hadn’t caught a fish and I was in the same shape.
After another half hour went by with sun warming us a bit with clear blue skies, David landed his first trout; you got it a New York keeper. We caught some more little fish and I decided to go look for some sheepshead. This was a different spot than I fished today and a little further out. The area is full of cracks and holes with sheepshead poking their heads out every now and then.
I managed to get the first bite and let Paul reel it in since he was right beside me. After that, I showed Paul the hole the fish came out and he pulled out a nice 3-pound sheepshead. Then David came through with two more nice keepers in the 3-pound range.
We left that spot and I then went to a round deep hole that had some cracks and crevices where I think they pulled out a few short grouper and maybe one more sheepshead. This spot was not too productive and we left to go to the trout hole.
It was here that both David and Paul pulled in a dozen or more you got it New York keepers. Finally we ended the day with talk about Monday Night Football with the Jets/Colts and two keeper Florida spotted sea trout. It was good fishing for a cold day in Florida. The final score was Paul 15, David 8.
Hope y’all didn’t eat too much Turkey during the Thanksgiving Holidays! I had a great time taking my son, John out hunting where he shot a mallard duck, a dove, and a doe deer. The three D’s. Happy Holidays and thanks for your visit here!
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