Looking at fast swimming hard fighting fish, there are two that are moving through the Big Bend right now. Any fish that has a V-shaped tail are known for their fast strikes and long runs.

Spanish mackerel fit that bill and are showing up on the nearshore rocks and deep channels. Bucktails , jigs, and spoons are good artificial lures to fish for mackerel but one method that can bring them to your vessel is to use chum. Small pieces of shrimp or a commercial chum bag works best for chum. I use an Eagle Claw 1/0 long shank hook on 20lb. leader with a live shrimp free lined behind the slick for best results.

Some anglers use wire for the leader but I’ve found the long shank hook prevents most cutoffs and with a mackerel’s extreme eyesight, I get more strikes with mono or fluoro carbon leader. 

The other fast swimming, good eating fish is the pompano.

I find most of mine around gravel or sandy bottom deep water holes, although on occasion I’ve caught them mixed in with trout, bluefish, and mackerel on a deep water flat.

Pompano can be chummed if they are in a hole — and when the bite begins it can be very fast. My favorite bait is a 1/8th. oz. chartreuse jighead with a headless shrimp threaded on the head to tail. The hook should come out on the bottom or leg side of the shrimp. Cast it out and jig it in slowly.

High incoming tide will be in the morning this weekend. 

Homosassa Weekly Fishing Report from Captain William Toney

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