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Fishing Report for Homosassa, Florida
Capt. Mike Locklear
July 3, 2007
Homosassa - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fast forwarding to July 4, 2007, Happy 4th of July. This month started out with a scallop trip to be. Instead we did our annual Suwannee River Dip and Wade. All of the family included we decided to back off the Homosassa River since it was a weekend and everyone was out.
Upon arriving at Fowler’s Bluff boat ramp, only one boat was ahead of us in the ramp and later one butted ahead of us. I guess even up there you can not get away from people who are in a hurry. We were not, so I did not mind the intrusion.
We cruised up the river to a sand bar and became the second boat. Where was everyone? I guess most were scalloping. After some leisure time and lunch we cruised up past Manatee Springs to Fanning Springs.
Manatee Springs has access but you must dock on the river and walk in whereas at Fanning Springs you can drive your boat up to the dock inside the spring basin. We did not have to wait for a spot to tie up to.
There is nothing cooler outdoors than hanging out by the springs. The 72 degree spring water keeps the humidity down and so does a dip every now and then. What is really cool is the high deck where the brave jump 8 feet down to the chilly but refreshing clear waters where the spring boils out.
We have been reading about the free jumping sturgeon of the Suwannee River mutilating jet skiers. We saw a few big ones and we did take precautions to not sit up near the bow of my 24’ skiff. I told Courtney they needed some type of sturgeon guard on the front of their vessels. She responded by saying the occupants would probably hurt themselves on such an invention.
Thanks to Jon West of the new “Local Angler” monthly magazine I was called out of scallop retirement into active service. I had told “Visit Citrus” staff that I was going to sit this year out. Nada. On July 2nd , I picked up a crew of two and met John Acres and his family of Ozona . They drove up in his center console Hydra Sport.
About six of them and three of us picked up plenty of scallops. I did not keep my limit as I like to secretly place them near my divers path if they are kids or beginners. When they get the hang of it, I get out of the water and keep an eye out for knot head drivers who recklessly cruise through the fleet on a plane. Monday was not so bad, but I heard that on Sunday someone got hurt out there.
The tarpon scene was still running hard the last week of June. Captains Long, Bazo and Harris all pleased their clients. Capt. Billy Hampton had one of his best days in many a day. 16 eaters! My guys did pretty good this year , but I wish the ones who are crummy would just practice before trying this sport. One of my best days for seeing fish were when I had two guys who could not hit their asses with a fly. I just show them the fish and don’t get upset if they can not produce.
My guide buddies did well with Chris Whites’ group of 17 Christian men from Atlanta. Redfish, trout and a few tarpon ate and one was jumped. Captains’ Mark Zorn and William Toney had a real nice mess of trout and redfish. Some sea bass and grouper were caught but most were released. A few sharks as well.
It’s time for me to move up the coast near St. George Sound where prime time for tarpon is July. I love it up there as the area is so quiet and peaceful. And the fish up there are plentiful and hungry. If you are looking for a fun time and easy pickings that is the place to be. I will be back and forth to Homosassa as I have a few more fly-fishing trips next week.
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