Nature Coast, William Toney

If you make a living working outside you know the feeling about being beat down or worked over by mother nature, wind, cold and rain. This past week had that effect on my body and mind and I apologize for not getting my report out on a timely fashion. Last week if you are a Nature Coast angler and decided not to go out , you didn’t miss much. All I can say it was tough fishing. This coming Easter Weekend things are looking good, cool mornings and warm days, Indian Summer. The near shore rocks are full of action with small gag grouper, keeper sea bass ( black fish ) blue fish, spanish mackerel, trout, jacks and lady fish. The Foul Area north west of St. Martins Keys is the most rocky and structure laden area in Citrus County. Long drifts casting MirrOlure LiL’ Johns on a 1/8 oz. jig head will produce strikes and fun action. Look for yellow bottom with a dark patch in the middle to find the rocks.

Back inshore with the recent full moon tides the redfish action on the last hour of incoming tide is very good. Live or cut pinfish has been the best bait although select live shrimp are catching a few but the pinfish will eat the shrimp of the hook before the redfish can find it. Keeper trout are around the shallow yellow bottom with the limestone rocks and as the tide fills in the trout will be more concentrated on top of the sun warmed rock piles. D.O.A. 5.5 glow jerk bait are the best bait. Snook catching has been the local talk of the town, with the full moon they are bending the rod like never before. Good snook spots are rocky points with near by deep water and a high outgoing tide. Triple tail and cobia are another movie star fish to be caught at this time, both like structure. Keep a good eye on markers, buoys and high profile rocks when running the vessel on a plane. If either is spotted continue on until you are a few hundred yards away, then make a wide berth rod ready and let the wind and tide carry you within casting distant to make the good presentation. These fish can dumb but will embarrass the angler who makes a bad cast. Look for incoming tide late afternoon this weekend. Go to church on Easter Sunday then catch some fish with your family that afternoon