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Fishing Report for Homosassa, Florida
Capt. Mike Locklear
October 24, 2005
Homosassa - Saltwater Fishing Report
Spotted Sea Trout and Redfish Abundant
This morning at dawn Hurricane Wilma has landed on the 10,000 islands. While millions of dollars in destruction of dwellings is expected Mother Nature takes its course. This is nature’s way of cleaning the swamps and replenishing the aquifer.
Storms like Wilma hurt the guide business days before the storms arrive. Based on the National Weather Service Hurricane Center these predictions save thousands of lives, but none the less it drives me nuts when I know I can guide and catch plenty of fish to make money for my family as the storm approaches.
I am put out at least one week’s pay each time the mention of a storm is plotted to hit Florida. I know I should not complain and am better off than most folks, none the less it ticks me off. I wish there was a better way for the weather service to let all of us know when it is safe to fish verses canceling a long planned trip. I knew Saturday and Sunday was fishable on Thursday. The tail ends of these storms are not very good for fishing and cancellations are automatic on my part. I hate missing the two days prior to the arrival of a hurricane or tropical storm because the fish bite so well before the storms hit.
The winds were no where near the predictions for yesterday as perhaps a dozen guides sat on the hill. Yesterday was fishable and Saturday was an awesome day to catch fish. Even though I was canceled, I was frustrated and decided to go fishing on Saturday. The seas were like a mirror with almost no wind, hence the calm before the storm.
Invited were friends Alan Ritter and Henry Morris. Henry and I later learned the real reason to go fishing was to avoid cleaning the garage as our wives tried to recruit us for honey-do. Although Alan had prior commitments, he bailed on those as well.
As soon as we arrived to the spot where dozens of limits were taken by the Jimmy Austin party, I immediately landed 2 nice keeper trout. I will not brag about it, but that was sweet for a little while. It turned out that was all I caught that day. Alan and Henry both landed their limits within a 2-hour span. When the tide went slack, the trout quit biting and we headed in. All the trout were keepers in the 16 to 20 inch range.
Last week, Jimmy Austin brought in a crew of about 40 guests for two all day trips and two half day trips using 9 local guides headed up by Capt. Jim Long. The trout fishing was so good all week that most all the guest caught their limits of nice fat trout.
Jimmy Austin and Rod fished with me the first day and we kept 10 keeper trout. We tried for redfish and had the winning fish on, but it got away. On the first day, Capt. Ray Wallace and Mark Zorn split the trout pot while Fred Lyles took the redfish prize and the only boat to have their keepers. Mr. Austin and I were a half inch short of a three way split on total length of two trout. 41 ½ inches won the prize. Ray Wallace and Craig Green won the big pot on the third day with the longest trout and redfish.
After the first day of complete limits for each boat, we cut back to keeping only the angler’s limit of 5 trout each. If you like trout fishing, you should have been here. Bunches of trout over 20 inches were released to reproduce and fight another day.
It is my opinion, when the trout rules are revisited; guides limits should be prohibited and the ones over 20 inches prohibited. Then you would see some really big trout and the return of the gators. Then I would recommend a 14-inch size limit because a third of those fished harvested between 14 to 15 inches would be males leaving more females to reproduce. The biggest trout we see these days here are less than 24 inches and those are rare.
Thursday morning on a half day trip, Craig Green and Vic of JGA went redfishing with me and they enjoyed catching and releasing 17 redfish with their limits of keepers by 9:30 a.m. They were free lining shrimp and casting near shore lines in 3 feet of water on an outgoing tide. Unfortunately, there was not a prize pot on this day as we had the longest redfish and a keeper each.
Well, it is a nasty day for fishing and cooler weather is upon us. Good fishing is expected to return by about Thursday or Friday as the passing of a front will halt production. I am thinking freshwater bass fishing had to be awesome the past few days with the approach of the hurricane. People ask me how fishing is after a hurricane. Once it is totally gone, it is awesome.
I would suggest planning for a great weekend next week with pleasant temperatures. The approach of a new moon will make for some fine deer hunting in Georgia. Fishing will be very good particularly top water lure fishing for trout. Don’t forget to stock up on the Bass Assassin seas shads in Electric Chicken, Cotee grubs in root beer and gold flake, Berkley Power Baits in glow white and the Popa Dog MirrOlure in red and white. My last recommendation is the Cajun Thunder cigar shaped cork for trout.
Despite my frustrations about the storms and loss of work, I enjoyed a great day in church yesterday where I truly belong. My favorite illustration from the Bible this week is from the book of John where Jesus was walking on the sea where He came upon the disciples’ boat while they were in a rough storm with big waves in the middle of the lake. They were scared but He said it is I; do not be afraid. As they willingly received Him into the boat they were immediately on the shore where they were going.
The illustration composes a thought that with Jesus in your heart; there is not a storm too great that he can not calm. Once he is in your heart calmness should be implanted no matter what the circumstances are. Have you given your heart to Him? Being a sinner, I have repented from the things I wrote above complaining about petty things such as losing a few days work.
Have a Great Week!
Capt. Mike
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