updated February 12, 2019

The final leg of winter is here and plenty of spring promises are showing in the trees. Pollen is blowing in the breeze, red buds and azaleas are delighting one’s eyes.

Late winter and early spring will send trout sunning on the shallow rocks. I look for tight schools of fish this time of year compared to large swaths of trout. Long drifts with plenty of action will come later in the year but with cool to cold water, trout are all looking for the warm water.

Spanish mackerel have pushed north into the Nature Coast and most anglers have caught them both inshore and off.

This northern migration includes pompano. To find pompano look at Google Earth to find deep stretches of water or holes on the western end of creeks and rivers. The best holes will include mackerel and lady fish with the pompano mixed in. Outgoing tide is best.

Captain William Toney’s Homosassa Fishing Seminar is February 21

To learn more about being a successful angler in Citrus County on the Gulf Coast, I invite you to attend my Homosassa 101 seminar, brought to you by the Homosassa Civic Club at the Homosassa Civic Club on Thursday February 21 at 7 pm. I enjoy answering questions that are particular to this area and discussing equipment, tides, lures and areas with the guests.

High incoming tide will be in the morning this weekend.

To schedule a fishing charter excursion with Captain Toney, visit his website.

If you want to learn more about how to catch Nature Coast fish from Captain Toney, subscribe to his videos at https://inthespread.com