Nature Coast, Capt William Toney 5/31/2016

This week is opening of gag grouper season. The limit is two per angler and the size limit has increased from 22 “ to 24”. The best starting depth is twenty to thirty feet over good rocky bottom. Trolling plugs may work like the Mann’s Stretch series but there is floating grass to contend with. Bottom fishing is probably the best way to go using sardines or live pinfish for bait. There will be plenty of grey snapper and grunts so bring some live shrimp for the mango’s, use cut sardines or threadfin herring for the grunts.

Back inshore the redfish bite is much better now that we are away from the full moon. Live pinfish or cut pinfish is the best bait. Western facing points on incoming tide is the best spots to fish. The near shore rocks at about 8 to 10 feet are holding some trout, flounder, bluefish, spanish mackerel and grunts. For the trout, flounder and bluefish use a 1/8th oz. jig head with a dark colored soft plastic. The spanish and grunts are biting live shrimp. South of Chassahowizka Point the tarpon migration is in full swing. A new moon incoming high tide will be this weekend starting midmorning. Capt. William Toney