Hernando Beach report - Bulldog Fishin Charters
Capt. Keith Tomlinson
October 6, 2009
Hernando Beach - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fishing out of Hernando Beach is hot and should continue to improve. One reason the fishing is so good is the Autumn cooling trend this area of the Nature Coast is starting to go through. Fronts will continue to move through bringing water temperatures down. As the Gulf continues to cool a variety fish will migrate through.
The shallow flats and backcountry from Aripeka North to Chassahowitzka are producing good numbers of quality fish. Trout are feeding in 3 - 6 foot of water. Drifting these depths over spotty bottom and casting silver spoons or bouncing Gulps across the bottom on a 1/4 ounce jig are a sure bet. The many near shore points with structure and spoil islands are still holding good numbers of red fish. Cut mullet and small pinfish seem to produce the best. Anchor up as far off as possible on these areas. Get within casting distance and no closer. This is why I prefer braided line. You get great range with a strong line. The further you stay back the less chance you have of being noticed by fish. This allows fish to move about naturally and feed.
Stone crab season starts the 15th of this month but commercial crabbers are allowed to bait and drop their traps ten days before that. These thousands of traps that are dropped are fantastic fishing areas. I believe this to be another reason that fish push in. Drifting these traps is a great tactic that will put fish in the box. The deeper flats offers anglers to catch a mixed bag of quality fish. I often target rock piles in 8 - 12 ft of water especially now that the crab traps have been soaking for a few days. Anchor off near these areas and put out a chum bag. This will attract large numbers of Spanish mackerel and the occasional cobia passing through on their southern migration. This tactic will also have trout,blue fish,sea bass,and jacks pulling drag. White GULP shrimp under a popping cork or a silver spoon worked in the chum slick will catch fish. A light steel leader may be needed to stop the cut offs from the macks and blues.
Oh yeah, can you say shallow water grouper! Big grouper can be caught on these very same rock piles. Long cast on heavier tackle is key. Due to the shallow water it is crucial to anchor a little ways off and cast to the structure. This forces the grouper to come out of the rocks to feed. When grouper are hooked away from rocks, there is no cover for them to dive into. This means less break offs. Casting plugs or frozen sardines floated back to the structure on heavy spinning tackle is a blast. Bring your back brace!! Trolling these areas can also produce if the weeds are not to bad. Precision Tackle on U.S. 19 has a fantastic variety of casting and trolling plugs to choose from. I prefer red/white or black/gold Long A Bombers scented with Pro-Cure. This set up is also great to throw to a big cobia you might spot working his way up your chum line.
Good luck,tight lines, and take a kid fishing!
Capt. Keith Tomlinson
Bulldog Fishin Charters
www.bulldogfishin.com
(352)238-3581
Target Species:
trout,red fish,mackerel,cobia,shallow water grouper
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