To say the trout and sheepshead bite is “on” is typical for this time of year. A few weeks ago I was catching either one of these fish in the river but the last cold front that had some bite. It burned the guava plants leaves off that I didn’t cover in my yard. Although it was cold, the fish held at the places I have caught them for the last two decades.

Look for a good sheepshead bite on the nearshore rocks starting at 8 feet out to 20. Live shrimp is the best bait. 

For trout, the low tides will expose limestone ribbon rock that collects the warm sun. As the tide covers this structure, trout will make their way from the flats or deep swash nearby to feed and collect the warmth from the rocks. One of my go-to baits is the D.O.A. 5.5 glow jerk baits. It’s a fun way to catch trout! 

Support Nature Coast Aquatic Seagrass Preserve with HB 1061

Please support HB 1061 for our Nature Coast Aquatic Seagrass Preserve. February 13, between 1 and 5 pm, our County Commissioners will consider supporting this Nature Coast seagrass preserve. The Preserve will protect our Nature Coast seagrass for shrimping, crabbing, mullet fishing. angling, scalloping, boating – all that we work for and enjoy doing throughout the year.

This bill will protect our turtle grass and other Gulf grasses to make sure we are protected from pollution or other factors that may harm our clear fertile Gulf waters.

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