Nature Coast, Capt William Toney 7/27/2016

For some of the most tasty and fun fighting fish, the rocks at the 10 foot range will produce. Moving tide is best but the incoming is a little better. I like to fish the rocks that have a high profile and I also anchor a short cast away. Live shrimp on a 1/8th oz. jig head is the best bait for mangrove snappers, grunts, sea bass and flounder. For larger snapper use a live 2” pinfish hooked through the tail with a 1/0 Owner hook and free line it across the structure.

The red fishing has been good on the incoming tide. Cut or free lined pinfish has been the best bait. In the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife I have done well using Eppinger Rex gold spoons and MirrOlure LIL’ Johns in water melon red glitter. Trout fishing believe it or not, has been good for this time of year. The bars near Bird Island have been good and I have seen some nice trout on the yellow bottom west of St. Martins Keys. On the yellow bottom use a D.O.A. 5.5 jerk bait rigged weed less will get the bite. There is a lot of floating grass and outgoing tide is best. For the last weekend of July the incoming tide will be in the morning.

 Capt. William Toney is a full time 4th generation fishing guide from Homosassa. Experience some of Florida’s best inshore fishing and beautiful unspoiled backcountry. His boat is a custom built 23 foot Tremblay and uses G-Loomis rods with Shimano reels. Trout, redfish and shore lunch are Capt. Williams specialty’s but many other species are caught or targeted.