Nature Coast, Capt William Toney

Warm weather continues to make a great bite for all anglers. Pompano have been a real pleasure to catch this week. Early winter is the time when they tend to make their appearance in the coastal deep water pockets. Outgoing tide when the water is pushing though the deep holes creating an eddy near the west end. This is the area to cast with a chartreuse jig head tipped with a piece of shrimp. If the action is fast, sometimes a jig in pink, yellow or red will work just fine. I like to look at Google Earth to find the deep spots starting at Camp Island Pass in Crystal River to North West Key in Chassahowitza. Most of the good water is just inside the outer keys.

The trout bite has been good and on low water the same spots that pompano are at will have trout also. The red fish bite has been good but with the low tides, it makes them more of a river target. If there is water this weekend the western facing points on the outside keys are a good place to catch reds with some live shrimp. In the Homosassa River there are many short mangrove snapper and redfish. With patience and time though one can work up enough keepers for a fish fry. Try the points that are near the channel for the best bite. I hope everyone and their family who reads this report has a very blessed and Merry Christmas. High incoming tide will be in the morning when you should be at home opening presents!