Looking forward into February and how this month is the last bitter sweet part of winter, the shortest month and a push into warmer weather. I know Florida has experienced a cold winter, we’ve had some cold water fish kill, but by the end of this month I bet there will be some green on the tree’s. Cold winters are just a part of our environment, the same as hurricanes. I believe this will help the Nature Coast have a long and productive spring fishing event because it will take some time for the waters to warm.
The near shore rocks are swarming with sheepshead on the incoming high tide. The rocks at eight feet are a good starting point, I like to drift past the structure to look at the amount of sheepshead before I commit to fishing it. The water has been clear enough to do this but some days cloud cover or wind can make it more of a search and blind cast mission. The further south of Homosassa channel the clearer the water is. Live shrimp is the best bait.
The trout bite has been getting better every day. It is a mix of deep creeks on the outgoing tide or on the incoming tide the outer points and limestone bottom usually exposed on low tide.This exposed rock will warm on the midday sun and trout will sun on top of it. For the areas around the creeks the bite is more near the channels or holes so that after a cold night the trout will move toward a shallow flat that warms up with the day.
The Homosassa Guides Association will have its annual fish fry on Sunday the 25th at 12 p.m. at MacRae’s of Homosassa. The plates are $10.00 that will include fish, hushpuppies, bakebeans, coleslaw and entertainment. Before this fish fry look for incoming high tide this weekend early morning.
- Nature Coast - March 23, 2024
- William Toney - February 29, 2024
- Nature Coast - February 14, 2024
