Nature Coast, William Toney

As the flats warm up look for trout more in open water. I have still been catching a few on the rocky points but more action can be found in the 3 to 5 foot range west of St. Martins Keys. Live bottom is holding larger trout then the turtle grass. The best bait has been a popping cork with a 1/8 oz. jig head with a dark colored soft plastic.

The redfish bite is scattered around the outside keys with some holding single fish but a few has some decent sized schools. Incoming tide is best and I’ve had the best luck using 3 inch live pinfish. Further back in the Chassahowizka National Wildlife Refuge some redfish are being caught on gold spoons like the Eppinger Rex and top water plugs. Even though snook season has ended there are plenty of them out there to bend the rod. With this years mild winter it seems as though the Nature Coast is teeming with snook. Look for green holes near the outside keys or passes with good tidal flow to catch them. My personal favorite has been a D.O.A. 5.5 glow jerk bait with a 1/8 oz. chartreuse jig head.

The rocks out at the 12 to 14 foot range are holding good numbers of spanish mackerel, cobia, small gag grouper, black sea bass and grunts. Use a chum bag to start the action and hope one of the many spinner sharks in the area do not tear it away from your boat. Incoming high tide will be in the morning this weekend.