Nature Coast, William Toney 9/13/2016

If there was ever a come back from a bad storm in the fishing world we have been knocking it out of the park. The inshore waters are cooled down from the wind and rains. I will say be careful of floating fire wood, I’ve seen some logs and they are the easy ones to spot. Most all of our islands with cabins had fire wood and a small log can take out a lower unit other than that the bite is on. On the keys west of Ozello on the incoming tide look for jumping mullet to find good red fish action. Most of the western facing points are the best places to start. Live shrimp or any cut bait like mullet, pinfish or ladyfish will get the bite. What I have been doing to locate fish is to use a soft plastic jig to fan cast the intended fishing spot and if there is a school of reds there this is the quickest way to find them. Some of the larger schools of redfish my clients have caught a few snook using the artificial method.

On the trout bite look for clean water with rock grass. Either tide as long as it is moving an angler should have some action. The best areas have been south in Chassahowitzka , west of St. Martins Keys or west of Ft. Island Beach. The best color soft plastics under a popping cork have been new penny, bourbon, watermelon red flake or golden bream.

On the offshore bite Capt. Chris Wilkins informed me that most reef fish are in transition with the water temperatures. Just after the storm in 25 feet the grouper and snapper bite was very good good. Now it’s deeper with the rising water temperatures. Capt. Chris said to move a little deeper and the snapper have been replaced with big grunts. The snapper are still there but reluctant to bite. You never know tomorrow may be game on. High incoming tide this weekend will be in the afternoon. W