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Fishing Report for Homosassa, Florida
Capt. Mike Locklear
April 21, 2004
Homosassa - Saltwater Fishing Report
Cobia Highligts Homosassa Fishing
Finally, better weather and fishing. This past week weather patterns were favorable to warm up the Homosassa Bay and west coast. Temperatures are now in the low 70’s which are better than the 60 something we had all last week. A seabreeze and some southwesterly winds helped tremendously to turn fish patterns to a more positive scenario. We need desperately for a new wave of trout to move in from deep water on this new moon as these fish were scarce in shallow water recently.
I will share with you below some of the great action had by me and my friends of the Homosassa Guides Association.
Cobia highlighted this week’s fishing action. One of the fish was reported or rumored weighed 59 pounds and was caught by Capt. Billy Henderson’s client. Many of the Homosassa guides had clients fighting fish on light tackle using jigs with soft plastics. The shallow clear waters of Homosassa Bay make it possible to spot sting rays in which the cobia follow to camouflage their approach to unsuspecting bait fish.
Captains John Bazo, Ray Wallace Jr., Charlie Harris and Mark Zorn all had at least one fish on during the past week. Capt. Ray Wallace Jr. was tops in numbers with his party landing six one day, all undersized but still a lot of fun on light spinning tackle.
While Spanish mackerel fishing side by side in 10 feet of water, Capt. Jim Long and I both had cobia action and released one fish and had one bruiser nearly spool us before pulling the hook. There was a 50 or 60 pounder hanging around and we finally got it hooked on a light spinning rod and it took off headed toward Key West at mach speed.
It got tangled with Capt. Jim Long’s personal rod(my account) and it shot off the box seat that Jim had laided it on. He was mad about losing that rod and reel. Jimmy does get full credit for the spot we fished as I was invited over to fish his chum slick. The least I could do is offer to buy you another outfit at my cost, right Jimmy? Jimmy had the most fish yesterday with 14 mackerel while fishing with Duke Mewborn and friend of Atlanta.
Spanish mackerel action has been good in depths between 10-15 feet of water. To really have a lot of action, a chum block and bits of shrimp must be deployed from an anchored vessel. Cajun Thunder Cork rigs with long shank hooks and a 3 foot section of 20 pound monofilament baited with a live shrimp drifted through the chum slick produces the most results. Wire leaders are ok but you will have fewer strikes as the fish see these more easily and some are not fooled by it. Some of the mackerel weigh up to 5 pounds.
Capt. Jim Long and Jack Wild of Lake Park Georgia put together the 2nd Annual DARBY/FDLA fishing tournament out of MacRae’s of Homosassa. 61 anglers and 18 guides competed for cash prizes donated by a dental lab company from New York. All inshore fish and Spanish mackerel were eligible.
Capt. Charlie Harris and anglers Richard and Cindy Porter of Zephyrhills and Greg and Teresa Brigham of Seffner won the Calcutta with the most fish with 22 Spanish Mackerel. Capt. Glen Touchton and angler Marylyn Pitone landed the biggest redfish at 7 pounds. Capt. Rick Spratt and angler came in second with a 5 pound Spanish. My angler, Mike Hawks landed the largest trout for a third place at 4 pounds even. We had four trout that weighed 14 pounds. A shore dinner on the grounds at MacRae’s was enjoyed by all who participated.
Although spotted sea trout action took a back seat this week, Capt. William Toney and Capt. Marvin Williams hosted the Walker party for two days of fishing last weekend. The group caught 38 keeper trout, 6 slot sized redfish and some Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and an assortment of other inshore species. Capt. Mark Zorn landed six keeper trout and numerous mackerel on a half day trip while fishing Crystal River Bay.
Both king mackerel and grouper have been very good in depths from 25 feet to 50 feet of water according to Capt. Ky Lewis of Yankeetown. Capt. Lewis uses Spanish sardines on the bottom and free lines a flat line for the mackerel while anchored. Trolling Mann’s Stretch 30’s or Series 111 MirroLures work well in the 25 to 35 foot range depths.
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