Nature Coast: William Toney

Much needed rain over the weekend will not only help my grass but will also sweeten the Gulfs water along the Big Bend. Soon heading into the month of June traditionally is when we start with some afternoon storms overcast days and rain cooled waters can create a short window trout bite inshore. Areas I like to fish are the Spoil Banks in Crystal River, the bars just west of the Ft. Island beach, around Ship Rock west to Hells 1/2 acre in Homosassa and the North Channel area in Chassahowitzka. A few soft plastic colors I use are glow, bourbon, electric chicken and golden bream. If there is a good breeze with a light chop them I will use a D.O.A. Deadly Combo with the 3″ glow shrimp.  Out in the nearshore waters around 10 to 12 feet I’ve been catching a mixed bag of  trout, sea bass, flounder, grunts and mangrove snapper. The trout, sea bass and flounder are hitting on a 1/8th. jig head with a soft plastic. Work it slow and low to the bottom with a vertical jigging action. For the snapper and grunts they will be near a rock. Some rocks I’ve fished that have allot of growth on them have not been as productive as the sandy rock piles with little growth. Live shrimp on a jig head is the best bait.  For red fishing it’s been spotty with a lot of short fish. Look for plenty of jumping mullet and try that area with live pinfish or shrimp. High incoming tide will be in the morning this week.