Nature Coast: William Toney

Well sorry I skipped out on last week’s report. It goes without saying with such a major weather event there was a lot going on. My hart goes out to our friend and family south of us and I hope that each one of them finds some rest and comfort each day until things are back to some type of normal. 

 The Fall trout bite has been very good. I’ve been catching most of mine in 3 to 4 foot around rock grass beds using a popping cork rig. The color of the soft plastic varies some but if you have watermelon red flake or glow your in the game. Most of the strike are when the jig falls below the cork and the cork goes upright. Outgoing tide is the best bite. Redfishing is on par with the trout but incoming tide is best. Outside keys when the tide first turns is the best way to luck into a school, but as the tide fills in the backcountry there is plenty of opportunity to work the rocky edges of the keys with a gold spoon to catches reds and snook. Cut pinfish has also been working well for me.

 The nearshore rocks have been fantastic for mangrove snapper. Chumming with some live shrimp is the best way to get them fired up. When the bite begins stay with it, don’t stop to take pictures or a beer break. Mango’s can turn on and off very fast so take advantage of a strong bite when it’s happening. High incoming tide will be in the morning this weekend.