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Fishing Report for Homosassa, Florida
Capt. Mike Locklear
August 17, 2001
Homosassa - Saltwater Fishing Report
Before I go into the current fishing action, I have to brag on some of my clients from my July base up in the Big Bend along the Forgotten Coast. Of course it is always great to see the same smiling faces at The Moorings year after year.
Dr. Kaplan and his son Nickie along with Debbie and Will Futch returned this year to do battle with the silver king tarpon. Debbie brought in a 120 pound tarpon in 120 minutes. Not bad for a 120 pound lady. That started out my season from the outpost.
The next day Barry got two jumps from about a 80 pound tarpon and a great run in which we chased the fish by Capt. Gene Strickland’s 23 foot Dorado. (Gene is a good friend to me and is “the man” when it comes to finding the tarpon along the Forgotten Coast. Gene made feel at home by cooking up some mighty fine smoked chicken in which he shared with me from his new house which he built himself. He wants to sell the beautiful house and build another.)
Mid-week we decided to take a break from tarpon fishing and went diving for scallops. Will Futch became the scallop king on our boat collecting his 2 gallon limit of about 200 of the tasty critters. Barry whipped up the scallops in the fry pan and we ate them for appetizers before heading over to Angelo’s Seafood Restaurant.
Later that week Mr. Brooks Schoen brought his grandson who was a mighty durable fly caster with a 10 weight fly rod. Cast after cast was made and the tarpon seemed uninterested for all of our offerings. It was truly a tough day for the young teenager of about 14 years old. And it did not help that we did not have an extra pair of sunglasses as he left his in the truck. What a dues paying day that was.
Who would ever believe that the luckiest white man from North Carolina fought 3 tarpon hooked on the fly in two days. Yep! Ben Baumgardner had a bunch of shots at aces and duces and hooked up twice the first day. It was awesome to watch as the fly was eaten really close to the boat in all the hook-ups.
Even though we had a big knot in the fly line the fish still put on a big show, jumping all the while. Ben had the fish pretty close to the boat when I grabbed a hold of the fly line and for a few seconds I tried to untangle the line, only it was too tight. This is when we decided to go ahead and break the tippet.
The next day for Baumgardner was even more satisfying because the wind had kicked up to 20 MPH and was in his face. With the wind on his right shoulder and shots at 10 o’clock, amazingly he placed the fly in the correct spot for a loner tarpon to swish by and eat the little fly in living color.
What seemed like minutes were only seconds before the fish jumped mightily and was off. It did not matter that the fish had won. Time stood still for Baumgardner as he replayed the moment in his mind and then a perennial yell from deep down inside bellowed from his lungs, sounding like a cowboy at the end of a long cattle drive.
Then the rains came and the tarpon were gone from the flats, only because the water turned red with tannin. The bottom was no longer visible in the usually clear gulf waters. I gave up the tarpon chase after 4 disappointing days.
Several nice meals were enjoyed at The Owl, Julia Mae’s, C-Quarters and Anglelo’s. A short vacation was taken by my family at Wakulla Springs Lodge. The children really love it there. Swimming in the cold spring water and jumping from the high deck into the edge of the spring is the attraction. Glass bottom boat rides and guided nature tours by experienced state rangers bring in the tourist.
Back in Homosassa at the beginning of August and out on the clear water flats of the bay, schools of redfish have shown up. Ted Strauss of Tallahassee and his son caught several nice ones that were too big to keep and their limit of slot sized fish. The next day, Russell Hodge and friends landed more than 20, keeping some nice 25 inch reds.
David Robbins and family caught 15 reds and kept their limit. George Hambos and son Charlie really hammered them along with their friend who never caught a redfish before last Tuesday. He caught 6 monsters over 27 inches and released 6 more by himself. Charlie still holds the family record with a 30 inch 9 pound redfish. Charlie’s Dad, George finally got with the program late in the trip with a couple of bulls, one that was 8 3/4 pounds. Little Charlie giggled knowing he still had the lead for the biggest. That was our best day up to now with over 25 caught and released.
Associates of Bill Woodard in the aluminum fence business enjoyed a trip gratis. They landed 8 reds before the torrential downpour which lasted about 30 minutes. After the rain stopped the day remained overcast and cool for August. More redfish were caught and several in the 20 inch range and one that was 25 inches.
Bill Woodard is coming in this morning to try his luck again. On Wednesday, we got rained out completely. The lightning was flashing and the thunder booming making our decision not to go easy. Radar looks clear this morning. I am looking forward to putting them on some nice redfish.
Remember if you are too busy to go fishing, you are just too darn busy!
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