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About ten years ago I remember writing that when I stopped at my daddy’s and moms house in the morning to get ice for the days charter and smelled the pungent aroma of the orange blossoms that it would be a good day of fishing. I would look at the trees that are lime green, azaleas, dog woods and all the flowers growing and I can say that fishing has been good because of this change that reminds me winter is over except for a few chilly mornings that we yearn for in May.
The trout fishing up on the shallow rocks on the incoming tide is very good. Timing is everything and patience to let the fish bunch up is important. Coming in to early or drifting over and over a spot will send the trout to a different area. This time of year the trout will gather and sun on shallow rock piles or points. Patience is key to this fishing and moving very slowly will pay off with a limit of fish at anchor. Another good place to catch tout and other species like sea bass, blue fish, spanish mackerel, grunts and flounder are the nearshore rocks. The Bombing Range is the best place to long drifts to catch all of these species.
Red fishing will be hit or miss because of the fish will be moving from the backcountry to the outers keys. This happens every year so cover some ground and use live shrimp under a cork or a Eppinger Rex 1/4 oz. gold spoon to cover more shore line. It’s a beautiful time of year to fish and filling the box is ok but catching enough for diner and enjoying this nice weather is what it’s all about! Tides will be spread out this weekend, if you fish till dark you will get incoming tide. W
- Nature Coast - March 23, 2024
- William Toney - February 29, 2024
- Nature Coast - February 14, 2024
