Nature Coast, Capt William Toney 5/10/2016

After the wind has died down the conditions have been perfect with light westerly sea breezes on the afternoon incoming tides. The trout bite has moved to the deeper turtle grass flats north and west of the St. Martins Keys. Look for spotty bottom around the 5 foot mark. D.O.A. Deadly Combos with a glow 3” shrimp or a MirrOlure LIL John in watermelon red flake under a popping cork has been the best bait. There is a mix of lady fish, spanish mackerel and blue fish with the trout. Use a marking buoy once you land a keeper to stay on the bite.

The redfish bite has been o.k. I’ve seen better but with some patience setting up on a western facing point you will catch dinner. I have been using live shrimp but if the pinfish are robbing you of your bait then use a small hook to catch one (pinfish). The best size is one about 3”and I cut the tail off. Hook them behind the dorsal fin with a 3/0 Owner bait hook and free line the pinfish across the point with the incoming tide. On the rocks out to 10 or 12 feet a few keeper sized mangrove snapper have shown up and good sized grunts. Look for incoming tide in the early morning this weekend. Capt. William Toney