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Fishing Report for Homosassa, Florida
Capt. Mike Locklear
March 19, 2006
Homosassa - Saltwater Fishing Report
Adventure in Cedar Key
This report is about bottom fishing techniques in direct correlation to Capt. Phil Muldrow of Cedar Key that is a 60 mile drive from Homosassa Springs north into Levy County.
Phil and I have been friends for a couple of years and through the Chevy Florida Fishing Report we talked about grouper fishing techniques each week for the show. Matthew Boren, an up and coming young lawyer from Orlando also contacted me from the same TV show he watches each week. Matt and I went out one day last year and waxed the reds on gold spoons. He invited me last weekend to come along with a charter he set up with Muldrow.
Six of us set sail from the city ramp at 7:00 am with a beautiful sunrise in the back ground. Seas were predicted at 2-3 feet and 10-15 mph south winds. The weather folks were right on and throughout the day the seas subsided to 1-2 feet and became almost calm. Air temperature was a perfect 70 to 75 all day long. Water temperature was 64-66 on the surface.
Phil and I chatted briefly about Homosassa fishing where he mentioned catching and releasing 38 largemouth bass this past winter around the canals of Riverhaven using buzz baits, and then he instructed me to take the helm while he gave his safety speech.
From the cockpit of his 26’ Parker powered with a 250 H.P. outboard motor he began by telling everyone where they could sit or stand for the ride out to 60-65 feet of water. “No sitting on the gunnels while cruising and no whizzing at high speeds,” says Muldrow from his friendly-toned voice. “I don’t want to lose anyone.”
“I brought 60-pounds of threadfin herring and we will fish until that runs out or until we get our limit of grouper or until 2:30-3:00 P.M. After you put on your sunscreen make sure you wash your hands in the soapy bucket on deck. Grouper can smell very well and sunscreen is a deterrent to the natural scents of the herring. ”
On the way out I sat opposite to Phil in a nice padded chair with a back rest. Matt insisted I sit there while he and his friends hovered around on the fish box. Phil rigged up some cushions and a back rest that would seat 4 persons on the big fish box in the cockpit.
Upon arriving to the first drop, Phil rigged the anchor to be tied off from the stern. It is worthwhile to note as a great way to fish over the rock with less scope than anchoring from the bow as well as less swinging back and forth off and on the rock. Caution has to be exercised in performing this procedure. Do not attempt this if you have a low transom or in rough seas.
Capt. Muldrow explained how to hook the herrings to the hooks. First we went through the belly once and then up through the thickest part of the meat in the back, careful to expose the barb and make sure a scale was not stuck on the hook point.
Almost immediately we began bringing in grouper, mangrove snapper and red snapper.
None of the fish would qualify for the box as red snapper season was closed and the groupers were short. We never stayed more than 20-30 minutes if the spot was unproductive.
The incoming tidal current was rolling in strong and for the first two hours we struggled to catch our first keeper gag grouper. Matt brought in the first one, a nice 21-inch red grouper. Size limits for red grouper is 20”and gags have to be 22” total length. Phil does not keep any grouper right on the line as shrinkage could occur once the fish is iced. He likes at least a half inch over and this is a noteworthy recommendation.
Over the VHF radio, Phil and two other guides chatted and one of those captains landed a 16-pound gag. They were a fish or two over our boxed ones. Phil ordered lines in and asked if all lines aboard before taking off.
Upon arriving at the next spot, Phil circles the rock at pretty fast rate of speed and watches his depth finder. The anchor is let down after reversing off the ledge and then the boat rest directly over the edge of the rock or ledge where grouper hide. This is a skill few have mastered. Most grouper diggers use a buoy to mark the ledge and then back down even to the buoy.
The third spot became a charm as the tidal current slowed thus allowing us to feel the grouper bite. On the third tap of the rod tip usually the grouper will pull a little harder. Ignoring the first two taps is where patience is a virtue. A grouper tap is defined by intervals of one per second whereas a grunt tap is a constant pecking feeling.
With the rod tip down, lead on the bottom, maintaining a tight line but giving way to the up and down motion of the boat by waving the rod tip, the bites can be felt. Again on the third tap, set the hook vigorously by raising the tip with force. With drags locked down the grouper should be off the bottom about 3-4 feet upon hook set.
Between 11:30-2:00 o’clock we caught our limit of 5 grouper each with two 12-pound grouper, one a red grouper that Matthew Boren landed. Capt. Muldrow once again lived up to his reputation as King Gag. He is truly a remarkable man and has his nitch in life well defined. Although fishing is fishing, sometimes limit catches once in a while elude Muldrow; on slow days he will get right in there with you and help out by fishing, too.
If you decide to book a charter plan on going sometime this fall as he is fully booked throughout the spring and summer months. Currently he charges $600 for the boat up to 4 persons and $75 each for each additional person up to six anglers.
Plan on bringing your fish cooler, mine was so full; I could not close the lid.
For more information on Native Son Charters of Cedar Keys dial 352-543-9930.
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