After 5 days of flooding rains, things have let off some to provide a more regular summer pattern. With the rains comes cooling effects on the Gulf waters that should improve the trout bite.

As we get further away from summer, the trout bite will be better on an outgoing, rather than an incoming high tide. The tannin-stained waters make a soft plastic lure in glow work best because it will stand out in these conditions, making it easier for the fish to see. Expect the dark water to continue until the swamps of Chassahowitzka, Waccasassa, and Tide Swamp have returned to normal flow. 

Redfishing should start to get as good as it can, with schooled fish for those anglers lucky enough to tap into one!

One method I rely on is to read the surface of the water on an incoming tide to decipher a mullet dimple from a true humped up water redfish push. Once I’ve located the fish, I like to study them as they decide what point of location they will settle in before I start fishing for them. Yes, you can catch them in open water but as the tide gets deeper, then its easy to lose pressured fish. 

The nearshore rocks are holding grunts and mangrove snapper. Live shrimp is the best bait.

Look for incoming high tide this weekend around midday. 

Homosassa Weekly Fishing Report from Captain William Toney

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