Quick Cast:
 Area Reports
 Find-a-Guide
 Forums
 Tides

Departments:
 Articles
 Books
 Clubs & Orgs.
 Fishing Reports
 Feedback
 Forums
 Fly Fishing
 Guides & Charters
 Links
 Photo Gallery
 Reef Locator
 Regulations
 Software
 Survey
 Tournaments
 Travel
 Weather
 Home

Administration:
 About Us
 Advertising
 Contact
 Privacy
 Terms of Use
 Web Development

Fishing Report for Homosassa, Florida

Capt. Mike Locklear
January 24, 2007
Homosassa - Saltwater Fishing Report

This past Monday was one of those days you write home about. Tony Romantz of Ford Motor Company of Michigan and his father-in-law Jeff went out for a full day of fishing out on the flats of Homosassa Bay.

Southwest winds were moderate to gusty up to 14 knots with overcast conditions. Things started out slow as the tide was near ebb and there was not much water for an outboard to run in. Using my remote control wireless trolling motor is an advantage when the winds are calm or when the tide is so low the big motor is non-functional.

Fishing in about a foot of water, Jeff landed the first trout, then the second one also. Jeff was using a jig with a cork above and a white Bass Assassin 5-inch jerk bait. Tony was using the same bait except with no cork. The tide went slack and I decided to head on out to catch the incoming offshore and try our luck at sheepshead.

We must of caught 25 little sea bass and porgies. I caught the only keeper sheepshead. The wind and seas were getting tough and I became uncomfortable with those conditions. We returned to an area known to be a good spring and fall trout fishing spot.

Jeff stayed with the simple red 3-inch split cork, all 45 cents worth. I was fresh out of the $4.00 Cajun Thunder that I love so dearly. Of course the red Cotee live-eye action jig in 1/8 ounce was the main hook that we attached our white Zooms and & BA’s to.

This is the truth; I don’t remember the order that the action took place, but the next 4 drifts we were into the spotted sea trout or specks as the Texans call them. These were Texas sized trout up to 23 inches. We had several over 20 inches and ended up with 16 trout. We were 4 short of having 20. My nephew, Dale Nelson came over and helped run the deck while I am up on the tower or on the bow running the trolling motor.

About 2:40 p.m. I saw what was a good-sized rain front heading our way and figured we better tuck tail and run. A 23-inch trout is pretty big here. I heard of a 27-inch trout caught on the Crystal River. That is a really big trout.

We as a whole of fishermen put too much pressure on these fish for them to reach trophy size. I am for taking the one trout over 20 inches off of the bag limit and have just a straight slot. You would see some really big trout and more of them if we put that law into effect. That does make sense not to take the big breeders out of stock.

The next day Floyd Blankenship of Houston Texas Chevron Oronite brought Alexis originally of Moscow, Russia and chemical engineer Jeff of parts unknown for a half day of fishing.

Man what a difference one day can make. The front moved through and the night before and the wind shifted to the northeast and blew all the good water to Mexico’s east coast. It was about bone dry. We went to St. Martins River first.

Alexis caught the first keeper a bluefish. We caught some trout and all were undersized. We tried for redfish with live shrimp and the tide just wasn’t moving very strong. On our last fish and cast of the day, my nephew Dale caught an undersized redfish on a Johnson gold spoon. Go figure. The reds would not eat a live shrimp. I guess we needed some pinfish or creek chubs. Mainly the tide was just not that good for the way I like to fish.

About two weeks ago, Pat Burchard entertained her grand daughter, Jenny to an all day trip. We went to a sheepshead hole and caught 8 keepers right off the bat. After that the catching was all but over.

We did run into a huge school of bottle nosed porpoise and Jenny played with them for over an hour. They were attracted to the boat and her rapping a tune on the side of the boat. Jenny is lead singer for a hard rock band named the Mighty Electric Band.

Jenny is a beautician during the day and helps raise show horses with her mother and grandmother. I know one thing; she sure loves to fish as much as her Momma does. I wish we would have caught more but they said the porpoise show really made the trip special. It is nice to have clients that enjoy the trip whether or not they catch fish. As my good buddy from St. Louis says, it is Capt. Mike’s Nature tours.

Well folks the next few weeks trout season will be closed and they will have time to bunch up because no one fishes for them when the season is closed. Snook are around and I plan on honing my skills as I saw some huge wakes as I traveled out the river yesterday. Redfish will be in very skinny water and in holes up the creeks as well as on dark mud bottom that will require stealth ness and casting accuracy for success. The cold weather is due to hit this weekend and should make river and creek fishing interesting to say the least.

My favorite spinning rods are Shimano Teramar Inshore Series in 7’ 4” length. The rods are light, thin diameter and flexible. They carry a lifetime guarantee and Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World of Orlando guarantees them against breakage for life or get a free replacement in store. That what the salesman there told me but you know what the sign says as you enter the store. “Welcome fishermen-hunters and other liars.”

For spinning reels I use Spheros 3000FA for reds and trout. These reels are bullet proof and inexpensive as professional tackle, about $80 plus tax.. I like the drag as it is sealed and has never locked up like some reels will do when you have a smoking run from a bull redfish. The weight is right as a redfish reel but a tiny bit heavy for all day trout casting.

I own a Shimano Spheros 12000FH. It is a huge heavy duty spinning reel that will stop a greyhound bus doing 80. I spooled up with 65# Power Pro. It will flat whip a 150 pound tarpon or a 20 pound grouper. I prefer G-Loomis Saltwater Series rods that are made for the abuse a beast of that size and strength does.

For trout and reds, I recommend Triple Fish RX spinning line in 10# test with a 3-foot abrasion tippet of clearTriple Fish fluorocarbon- 20# for trout. My favorite braided line is Power Pro in the 10# size for trout and I use 20# for reds..

In closing, I leave you with one fishing joke that has been around for years and is a classic. I really like it! Fishing has been so bad lately even the liars are not catching any.

Remember if you are too busy to plan a spring or summer fishing trip you are just too busy.

Capt. Mike

More Fishing Reports:

 

Referrals-Avid Angler-Social Media, Blogger, FaceBook and Fishing Reports Writer.

Contact Info:


Phone: 352-422-1927
Email the Captain
Browse Photo Gallery
Display Find-a-Guide Listing


Copyright © 1997-2024, CyberAngler - All Rights Reserved
Privacy Policy :: Terms of Use
For Questions and comments please use our Feedback Form
Back to the Top