Nature Coast, Captain William Toney 6/7/2016

At this time I can almost launch my boat from the back yard. The tide at MacRae’s boat ramp is all the way up to the four way stop about 50 yards from the river. I believe the fishing will be good soon as the tides return to normal because of the rain cooled waters. The redfish bite has been good on the incoming tides on the western facing shorelines. Live shrimp is working but the pinfish are in full force so if they become a problem I use a very small hook to catch them and use as bait. A small 3 inch pinfish is perfect and any longer than that I will cut in half.

The trout bite has been slow and again I hope the rain cooled waters help improve the bite. The trout that I have been catching are big fish just not allot of them. The better areas are Bird Island in Chassahowitzka Bay  or west of Homosassa Marker #2 in 10 feet of water over dark grass. The best bait is a D.O.A. CAL Shad in glow/gold rush or a MirrOlure LIL John in watermelon red flake. I use a 1/8 oz. red jig head.

The near shore rocks are producing some fun action with grunts, mangrove snapper and all kinds of other species. Ten feet is the best depth and use live shrimp on a 1/8 oz. jig head. I like to have a heavy boat rod with a bottom bait out while we are fishing the shallow rock because on occasion there are keeper sized gag grouper on them. Sometimes the light tackle activity will draw them towards the boat. On the offshore side of grouper fishing the anglers have told me that it has been tough due to alga or other wise known as “snot grass”. Maybe this storm has helped clear the bottom of it. Look for a early morning high tide and plenty of boats fishing for cobia at the Cobia Big Fish Tournament this weekend out of MacRae’s. No need to catch fish just come down on Sunday and enjoy a fresh caught fish fry at The Shed. Capt. William Toney