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Fishing Report for Homosassa, Florida
Capt. Mike Locklear
December 31, 2003
Homosassa - Saltwater Fishing Report
Temperatures in the 70's Good For Homosassa Fishing
I hope your Christmas was a good one filled with laughs. Mine was pretty good and the kids enjoyed it. I know I ate way too much good food.
I had a first expereince, fishing with a foreigner who spoke only a little broken English. I learned a broken bit of his language and the smiles, gestures and bows we gave each other made up for the lack of verbal understanding.
Ishikawa Mithuyoshi from Japan fished two half days before and after Christmas Day and caught a Homosassa River grand slam which included a baby tarpon, redfish, mangrove snapper, jack crevalle and lady fish. All he needed for a super grand slam was a snook. We saw many snook although none were hungry at the time for our offerings.
Ishikawa said he was very "r(l)ucky" to see a manatee. He clapped when he saw the 1500 pound mammal swimming slowly along the clear waters of the Homosassa River.
My favorite deer hunting guides are my brother-in-law and his son, Mark and Ben Rivenbark of Brooksville fished with me today and landed 13 nice sheepshead between 2 to 6 pounds and released several undersized grouper. Mark has the record number of "burps" recorded on my boat.
My long time friends and clients, Lewie and his daughter, Peggy caught and released numerous ladyfish and mangrove snapper while relaxing and enjoying the upper reaches of the Homosassa River during the holiday season. Lady fish can be caught in front of the Sea Grass Pub and Grill by fast jigging or slowly trolling a small Cotee jig with a gold glitter tail.
The rest of this report, I promise, I am not drinking or doing drugs, we just acted like Gilligan.
Keith Hall and his newlywed, Tammy were accompanied by his brother-in-law, David and wife Penny of Illinois. They had a fun day while reeling in more than 100 mangrove snapper and some small spotted seatrout. These are little kid fish but are a lot of fun for grown-ups, too if you have been in the cold country all winter.
David was all too funny when he mentioned to my buddy, Capt. Charlie Harris, that we were going to Gilligan's Island. Harris commented that we had a good start, because I was the skipper. David said he wanted to find Mariann while Keith preferred Ginger. The women onboard kept silent for a second.
Penny made it her mission to keep me thinking with her many questions of the area and was quite funny when she asked me why the black buzzard was flying overhead. Before I could answer she responded by saying, do we look that dead. No not at all, I thought, might smell that way, though.
It was that kind of day, never a serious moment, and I was glad to be there for Tammy to help her with all the fish she caught. I think she caught the most, I am not sure. But I know she had the longest thing, which was a crab about 12 inches.
They had a bet going on for five bucks for the biggest keeper and we threw her crab back in the water! Darn, that was the biggest had we kept it. Keith won with an 11 inch snapper.
Keith kidded her about catching the crab in Homosassa when he reeled one in and I said they both caught the crabs in Homosassa. Are you understanding that we had at least part of the crew of Gilligan on the boat.
Only me and one of the cast of this report know who
Mr. Howell is. Personally, I thought Keith looked more like the skipper if he would dye his hair white. David was really acting like Gilligan when he made a cast and took off Penny's fishing cap with the hook and lost it in the river.
The Professor is none other than my good buddy, Capt. Charlie Harris with all his scientific anaylis of the fish's habits. And the island of Gilligan is none other than Monkey Island, at least for now, until we can really find another place that is better.
Just some serious note, if you are visting Homosassa and want some really great fun and food, visit MargaritaGrille on Halls River Road just across the bridge. Tommy runs a tight ship.
Well folks, it has been fun and I thank you for reading my reports this past year. I hope to pen many more. My New Year vow is to write more frequently, not only to you, but to my loved ones as well.
May your New Year be a blessed and healthy one and filled full of joy with many days of fishing with lots of fish, both big and small.
Very Best Regards,
Capt. Mike Locklear
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