As we close out the month of August and come into the first month with a “R” in it, this does not mean our oysters are ready to eat. The water is still very warm but some subtle changes are there for those who take notice.

One thing that I notice is the different colors of the grasses of our inshore waters and how thick the rock grass is getting. The rock grass is key to catching nice trout on popping corks with dark colored soft plastics. Some of the better areas have been either side of Chassahowitzka Channel, Homosassa Bay, west of St. Martins Keys and south of Ft. Island Beach. High outgoing tide is best, but incoming tide can be productive also.

Snook season will open this Thursday but due to a tropical storm on the horizon we may have to wait till safe conditions to give them a shot. I have been catching them with some consistency and seeing them in large schools. Outside keys with rocky points and good moving water are holding snook. I had the best luck with a 1/8 oz. jig head and either a glow or dark colored soft plastic tail. Something Nature Coast anglers may not be used to is tying on a 30lb. leader. Most all of my inshore fishing is done with a 20lb. leader, but a snook will cut it like butter.

Red fishing is about as good as it gets now till Halloween. Live free-lined shrimp or pinfish will get the bite. South of Homosassa artificial baits work well because there is no floating grass. The best areas are west of Ozello, south of Mason Creek and the outside points in the Chassahowitzka  National Wildlife Refuge. High incoming tide will be in the afternoon this weekend.

Have a safe Labor Day weekend.