Offshore Grouper: The weather is cooling down, the water temperature is lowering and the offshore bite is growing. Now is the time to experience Florida Gulf Coast Fishing at it’s finest offshore and inshore in Homosassa and Crystal River. Gag Grouper have moved in just a bit closer so we don’t have to travel as far to get great Hook up’s. My tactics are two-fold this time of year for fishing for offshore grouper. First tactic, TROLL TROLL TROLL, with a big lip deep diving plug. Second tactic (if the grass makes trolling too difficult)-BAIT THE BOTTOM. To get the groupers interested in your live pinfish or defrosting sardine, you’ve got to get the scent in the water and get them feeding. Often people make the mistake of chumming too high in the water column and don’t get the fish excited down where they live, in the rocks. But that’s not such a bad thing this time of the year because you may excite the Spanish Mackerel and get a random King Mackerel to the boat (they typically use the middle to upper reaches of the water column for their swimming and feeding activities)
Inshore Redfish and Trout: It’s a great feeling with the Trout bite turns on. On my latest trips inshore we’ve been able to limit out on trout most every trip. My wife who is a competitive soul loves it when she can beat the boat and make sure she’s top catch when we’re out fishing. I’m a bit better than she is, but I don’t let it show too much as she’s quite the fishing enthusiast and I love watching her smug smile after a great day on the water. The Redfish schools are also moving together and moving around on the rocky shorelines and potholes in the spotty limerock bottom of Homoassa. The St. Martens keys have been where most anglers are having their luck with Reds, but remember if you’re out there to keep quiet as they are sound sensitive and move if there’s too much boat activity in the area.
Thanks for taking time to read my fishing report , call me soon-call me often this is the time to go fishing on the Nature Coast. Capt Don