Spring Fishing Is In Full Swing
Capt. Josh Fritz
March 9, 2011
Hernando Beach - Saltwater Fishing Report
Chase N' Tails Fishing Charters
Hernando Beach FL
Spring Fishing In Full Swing
The fishing along the Nature Coast is HOT right now with a variety of game fish to target. The bait fish are back on the grass flats and near shore waters, along with the bait are the toothy critters the Spanish mackrel. When targeting macks start off in 4 feet and work your way out to 8 feet ounce you find the macks you can catch them with a few different tactics. A 1/4oz jig head with a white or new penny 3" gulp shrimp bouncing across the bottom will draw strike from macks and trout. A 1/2oz gold or sliver spoon will also work, and of chorse live bait such as shrimp, pin fish, and green backs rig with a 2/0 long shank hook to reduce cut offs. A light leader in the 20 to 30 pound range is the way to go look for grass bottom, rocks, and any structure that holds bait or baits schools around the flats is a sure bet that the mackrel are there sizes of the macks are 16-24".
Trout are also working there way out of the back country to the shallow grass flats. Start off in 2 feet and work your way out to 6 feet, spotty bottom is were the trout like to hang out in. Grass with sand holes. A 1/8 to 1/4 oz jig head with a gulp 3" shrimp with a light leader is great, or the popping cork rig also works great.Suspending baits I like best are a Mirr O Lure Mirradine 17MR in the (808) color this color has produce more catches than any other color from trout to red fish and snook this lure is awesome. Top waters in the morning is a sure bet try a Raplala Skitter Walk (SW8) in the white, mullet, trout, and chartreuse colors all work very well sizes of the trout are 15-24".
Red fish are on the move, they are moving around the outside points, cuts, oyster bars and rocky bottom from Hudson to Chazz, I all ways say this but it is true you need to find the big mullet schools, the red fish are running with these mullet schools and feeding on anything the mullet stir up. Once you find the reds a top water lure the same one I mention for the trout will work for the reds. A white jerk bait rig with a 4/0 or 5/0 Gamakatsu Skip Gap hook weedless style puts big reds in the boat or a live jumbo shrimp, cut pin fish or my favorite green backs AKA Red fish Candy, sizes of the reds are 18-32".
I got reports of cobia showing up on the flats from Aripeka to Bay port that is a good sign that Spring has arrived. Look the cobia around grass flats, channel markers, crab trap markers, rock piles, and look out for schools of stingrays, the cobia will rid the rays and feed on bait that the rays kick up. Keep a medium heavy rod ready with a jerk bait or a live bait if using a lure keep it moving if you stop the retrieve 9 times out of 10 the cobia will turn away so keep the lure moving. I am expecting The BIG BAD Tarpon to show up in mid April if not earlier do to the water warming up so quickly and all the bait fish that has arrived.
You can get all the tackle i mention at Precision Tackle in Spring Hill FL across from Flamer Ford in the Well Care Plaza, stop in and say HI, check out all the goodies if we don't have what you are looking for we can get it in just a few days. All so if you need your rods and reels cleaned or fix Tom is the shops rod & reel repair man and he does the best job I have ever seen, and check out the new website www.floridafishtalk.com it is taking off very well we have 108 members and looking for more.
Tight Lines
Capt. Josh Fritz
www.chasentailsfishingcharters.webs.com
352-345-9304
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