 |
Fishing Report for Homosassa, Florida
Capt. Mike Locklear
September 20, 2005
Homosassa - Saltwater Fishing Report
Tribbles Dribbles Redfish
Today as I write my report another hurricane named Rita is passing west through the Florida Straights packing 100 mph winds. It is my sincere prayer that she avoids all populated areas and preferably to die at sea. That would be a miracle to die at sea.
Winds here are 20 mph and better out of the east. Plans are to sneak out for a little redfish action at the top of the tide with a neighbor whom I promised a retirement present in form of a fishing trip. Feeder bans of rain are on their way, but we will not melt.
Yesterday my fishing trip was awesome. My buddies from Ft. Valley GA arranged a half day charter for redfish. We left the dock at 2:00 P.M. from Riverhaven Marina.
Bill and Anne Tribble both commented on the cleanliness of my boat as we quietly idled down the Homosassa River. Bill also noticed that I was running a 60 H.P. four-stroke Mercury Outboard and liked the quietness of the engine very much. My comment to him was that I also loved the engine’s performance and dependability. My engine starts every time, runs smooth and quiet with the best fuel economy in times like these.
Cruising at 25 mph, my rpm’s are around 4700 and at full speed I can reach up to 35 mph depending on the load. The hull design of my 600-pound Marquesas Hells Bay helps tremendously in adding to the speed particularly because of the light weight.
Within 30 minutes we arrived to the spot in which I knew some reds would be waiting on us near a mangrove studded island. Pinfish, ballyhoo, and pig fish were flipping and silver-siding beside the boat near the grassy bottom. With winds near 20 mph out of the northeast I set up the boat so a downwind cast could be lobbed to the waiting school of hungry redfish.
With a few throws of my cast net, I caught some choice baits for them to use. The first three casts we landed three slot reds. It was the beginning of a great afternoon and guides dream. A dozen redfish were landed in short order one of which was Anne’s largest ever; a whopping 15 pound 34-inch redfish. It took Anne about 10 minutes of careful playing the drag to strong bull-headed redfish.
We quit fishing after Bill landed a nice over the slot redfish of 28 inches because I had promised Anne a tarpon fishing trip. We returned to the river after stopping by to catch a few mullet with my cast net. We had one tarpon on for a few seconds and only tried for about a half hour. We could see the tarpon in the river but they won today.
Last weekend for three days, John Maddox Sr. and Jr. arrived for their annual family trip. John Jr. had a huge tarpon on for a short time before a boat passing by may have cut his line. It was an interesting day with Ramsey having the red hot hand the second day.
John Sr. and Jr. along with sidekick Ramsey and John Carlton all enjoyed landing some nice redfish between 7 to 11 pounds. There were also limits of lower slot reds kept for the annual shore dinner at the club island. John Jr. landed the biggest red of 11 pounds.
Hurricane Katrina Victims Still Need Your Help
In closing, one of my reader’s views was touching for Katrina victims and is something I want to share with you. If you would like to additionally contribute for some behind the scenes grunt work like meals prepared, laundry washed and showers provided and children cared for; your donations can be sent to the National American Mission Board at http://www.NAMB.net 100% of your donation goes to the Southern Baptist Relief Fund.
There is a frequently asked questions page posted on the home page on how you could help in one or several different ways. By donating money those who can physically help the victims can continue their works and you will be blessed for giving.
“It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty" (Zechariah 4:6). Verse posted on the namb.net web site.
More Fishing Reports:
|
|
|
|
