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Fishing Report for Homosassa, Florida
Capt. Mike Locklear
December 16, 2004
Homosassa - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fish Seek Warmer Waters
The recent frost and freeze this past week dropped water temperatures to the middle 50’s in Homosassa Bay. However, the headwaters near the spring fed rivers of our county provide a winter refuge for many species of salt water fish. Water temperatures remain in the low 70’s near the outflow of the springs and is considered warm water this time of year.
It is in these headwaters where at least part of the fish will go. Mangrove snapper, jack crevalle and lady fish will congregate in the upper end such as Kings Bay in Crystal River.
Some spotted sea trout and redfish also move up the rivers and will feed near the bottom of the deeper holes in the channels as well as the canals. The remainder of the trout and redfish either go towards the warm waters of Florida Power Canal discharge or they just tough it out in skinny water flats.
Some trout and redfish choose to stay in the shallow water less than 3 feet deep, along the coast and will hold on rock bottom in the afternoons to warm themselves.
These cold water fish only bite during the warmer part of the days after a long period of cold weather. As the fish get used to colder water, they began to eat a little more than just during the warmer part of the day.
Casting with a free line which means just a hook with a live shrimp or pinfish is the best way to land a cold water red or trout. You have to cast it upstream from where they are and let the bait move to them on its own. A good second and third choice is either jerk baits or a lipped lure like a Yozuri, Rapala or Mirrolure.
As the weather changes with cold and warm days, the temperature of the water will change and the fish react to that and will either move up or drop out the entire course of the river. A good rule of thumb is if the gulf’s water is colder than 60 degrees, then at least some of the trout, redfish, snapper and jacks are in the upper reaches of the rivers.
There are at least two types of fish that anglers like to catch and keep that are not affected by the same cold water temperatures. Both sheepshead and grouper will feed in gulf waters dipping down to a chilly 55 degrees. Both types of fish like live or dead bait or lures cast over rocks and reeled in fast.
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