Nature Coast, William Toney

With the rain cooled waters look for a good bite this weekend. The red fishing has been very good on the incoming high tides on the outside keys up to a few keys towards the east. Live shrimp and pinfish are the choice baits. A few trout are in the shallow flats and if there is a breeze enough to give a good drift use a D.O.A. popping cork with the red gold glitter 3” shrimp or a MirrOlure Lil’ John in watermelon melon. The best area has been west of Mangrove Point.

The grouper bite has been very good starting at 18 feet out to 40. Trolling plugs, casting plugs, cigar minnows and live pinfish are the best baits. The same structure that is holding grouper is also good for mangrove snapper, hogfish, big sea bass and grunts. Live shrimp is the best bait for them. The big catch this weekend cobia. The 31st annual Cobia “ Big Fish “ Tournament is this weekend June 7th and 8th. You do not have to enter to have fun come down to  MacRae’s in the afternoon to see the weigh-in, eat and enjoy the free entertainment. High tide this weekend will be in the afternoon. W