Nature Coast: William Toney

Well here we go again with the hard north east wind. It seems we have

a pattern of 5 to 7 days of good weather then the same with the wind.

If you head out this week expect to see lots of Florida real estate

sticking out of the water. With the wind and extreme low tides it can

be tricky if not dangerous if an boater is not on top of their game. I

have been catching my limit of trout in these conditions and this is

what I do. Starting at the mouth of the river I set up a drift that

will keep me far from and shallow keys, rock piles or bars. I’ve been

using a popping cork rig on my 7′ Boner Rods. The color soft plastics

that have caught the most fish are glow/chartreuse and red flake. A

drift anchor is a must to slow down my vessel and turn it side ways to

the wind so my anglers can all cast down wind. The best drift lines

will bring you towards deep water so you can safely return to the

channel for your next drift.

I’ve tried the river with minimal success. Fishing some of the deeper

holes has gotten some black drum . The Gulf waters are still in the

seventy’s so most of are game fish are still in the flats and creeks.

Incoming high tide will be very early morning this weekend or very

late evening.

C