Homosassa Trout, Reds and Grouper Hitting Hard
Capt. Mike Locklear
November 22, 2009
Homosassa - Saltwater Fishing Report
The winter season for fishing Homosassa redfish is nearing but for sure it has been more like autumn so far. With the days becoming shorter and the water temps dropping just getting to the redfish can be impossible except for the best of anglers and guides. November through February the tides are upside down meaning the major highs is at night in the wee hours of the morning.
Redfish do bite in the dark. No moon is needed. But the bait needs to be smelly like cut mullet or day old shrimp. New-Penny or white Gulps work well and last longer once the water gets in the mid 60's [we are not there yet]. I would stick to fishing the rivers at night because it is easier to navigate safely. If you are a very good navigator the flats will produce nice slot size redfish with some in the 30+inch size.
Just getting to where the redfish are at low tide is an art without slamming a big rock. Once there one must stand still or better yet wade and use a free-lined shrimp or top water MirrOlure. Mid-afternoon is the best bite time and sun is at the best angle. But make a wrong move and they will take off like a keys bonefish. It is absolute stealth techniques only. This means two anglers at the most.
Trout have been the mainstay and biting very well although most are on the mark. A few have been gators though and most all chunky in size. Red Cajun Thunder rigs with 30-inches of 20# line and a light red jig head with white or rootbeer tail like Cotee twin tails work well.
Grouper are a chewing and the sizes have been from the legal mark up to 12-pounds. Shallow water lipped lures cranked fast in less than 10-feet are producing easy enough to keep your limit of Gags. Remember the guide's limit can not be kept. So load up the boat with 4 anglers and come on out. It is a blast to hook a big one and now is the best time though December.
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