Looking at the trees and the hood of my truck, we are moving into spring.

On a small game hunt this past week I noticed all the new green, purple, yellow, red and white color in the woods and I listened to hear a turkey gobble, but it might be a hair early. So, to say all that I’m very happy that hopefully most the cold air is past us so we can plant a garden, hunt turkeys and enjoy the best inshore fishing of the year.  

Trout are my most favorite inshore fish to catch. There are so many other fish to argue that fight better, taste better, and maybe even look better, but our Big Bend seatrout have more street cred then most. When I was young a big trout would be 18″ but now, we are releasing trout over 19″ because it’s a rule.

Big trout create lots of trout in our healthy waters and excellent sea grass environment. Trout are one of our “bread and butter” fish for local guides and recreational anglers around the state.

Trout can be caught many different ways, but this time of year I look for rock piles and rocky points that are exposed during low tide to absorb the sunlight most of the day until the high water moves in and cover them. The trout will lay on top of those rocks and take advantage of the warmth plus any bait that happens by. My favorite bait is a D.O.A. 5.5 glow jerk bait nosed hooked with a 3/0 bait hook. When approaching a spot be as quiet as you would fishing for redfish because trout will leave town and not come back.

High incoming tide will be early morning this weekend. 

Homosassa Weekly Fishing Report from Captain William Toney

To schedule a fishing charter or shore lunch 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