Tropical rains have cooled the Gulf waters for some good trout fishing. As we move toward fall, look for the trout bite to be best on the outgoing tide, and popping cork rigs are the best way to go. Some of my favorite colors are watermelon red flake, glow gold rush, golden bream, and new penny. Three to five feet of water is the best depth. 

The nearshore rocks are a great place to put some nice snapper in the box. High-profile rocks in 8 to 10 feet of water are the spots to fish during the first part of a turning tide high or low they will give you 30 minutes of opportunity to bite. Live shrimp on a 1/8 oz. jighead works well, and if they get picky free line them on a 3/0 Owner hook.

To keep them close to the boat, if someone hooks a small grouper or a grunt the school will follow it to the boat and have all anglers be ready to toss out their baits. When they pack up they will be competitive over the bait, but when the rally is over it’s time for a new rock. 

High incoming tide will be in the afternoon 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.

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