Although we are almost finished with September it’s still hot as blaze’s and I don’t know if it’s because we are anticipating that first cool morning or just humid tropical air. I believe its a mix of both. The trout bite is both inshore and offshore. West of marker #2 I’ve had good luck bouncing MirrOlure LiL Johns near the bottom on a 1/8 oz jighead, with a mix of sea bass, spanish mackerel and small gag grouper taking the bait. Back inshore in the early morning or breezy days use a popping cork around the rock grass with a dark colored jig or suspending hard body lure if the floating grass is not bad.
This is the time of year when my father and I would do good catching tarpon in the Homosassa and Crystal River. Although not as glamorous as early summer fly fishing for them, the action can be excellent. Our favorite bait would be half a mullet on the bottom around Gustav Bay in Homosassa or Wash Island and the Yacht Club in Crystal River. A heavy boat rod with 30lb. test and a 60lb. leader and a 5/0 circle hook works best. Another method is to troll for them at night with shallow running plugs like a Bomber Long A with a flat line on clips staggered 60 and 80 feet behind the stern. A 5 knot troll works best but also consider how fast the current is running. Capt. Jim Long of Homosassa helped me with this and has it down to a science. High incoming tide will be very early morning or late evening this weekend.
- Nature Coast - March 23, 2024
- William Toney - February 29, 2024
- Nature Coast - February 14, 2024
