Great fishing with great weather is the best way to describe the nearshore waters of the Nature Coast. The cold front that just passed though this week will give way to warm days ahead.
The seatrout bite has been outstanding with fish being caught during the low tide phase in the local rivers and creeks and on the high tide on the shallow rockpiles and rocky points near the edge of the Gulf. The best baits are D.O.A. Deadly combos, jerk baits, MirrOlure Lil' Johns , MirrOdines and Gulp!
Redfishing has been O.K. with most of the reds that my clients have caught have been on the high tide that allows access to some backcountry creeks. On the low tide phase the sight casting has been good with mid-day offering the best visibility. Good baits have been Eppinger Rex gold or copper spoons, D.O.A. shrimp, MirrOlure LiL' Johns and live shrimp. For sight casting with a flyrod a light sinking crab pattern works best.
Sheepshead fishing is still strong but most of the bigger fish have been caught in deeper water, up to 15' and 20'. Some decent fish still remain in the shallow rocks but not as many as last month. The warm winter defiantly has helped fishing and I've even saw small bonnet head sharks cruzing the flats and experienced some of the best pompano fishing ever in my life.
Look for high incoming tide mid-morning this weekend. Capt. William Toney www.homosassainshorefishing.com
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