Cobia Fever Engulfs Homosassa!!!
After a relatively calm and mild winter the weather this spring has been anything but calm and very unusual. Is the wind ever going to stop blowing? Though, I’m sure in the very near future, we’re all going to be begging for just a little breeze. As I said in last month’s report as soon as the water temperature hits 70 degrees the bite explodes, as that’s exactly what happened. The fishing has been on fire with many days where we’re catching over 10 different species. This time of the year you never know if it’s going to be a Redfish, Trout, Grouper, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Cobia, Pompano, Flounder, Sharks, Tripletail, Black Drum, Grunts or Sea Bass that’s going to bend your rod.
The Speckled Sea Trout bite has been outstanding with many “Gator Trout” over 20 inches and close to 5 pounds being caught drifting the pristine flats outside of St. Martins Keys tossing baits at the sand holes and patches. The Trout like to lie on the edge of the sandy areas and use them as ambush points. The winning Trout in the recent Citrus County Builders Association Tournament was 25 inches and weighed 4.98 pounds! This past Saturday, the winning Trout in the Young Boat Owners Tournament weighed 4.8 pounds!
The Redfish bite is also very hot with many over the slot limit fish being caught on the outside edges of the mangrove islands or on any rocky points or oyster bars. The winning Redfish in the CCBA Tourny was 26 ¾ inches and weighed 7.56 pounds and the winning Redfish in the Young Tourny weighed 6.13 pounds.
Now on to “Cobia Fever”, as usually happens here in the spring time “Mr. Brown Suit” arrives and you can feel the intensity rise among the local anglers. There have been a few reports of 60+ pound Cobia being brought back in to the cleaning tables. Watch for Stingrays or Loggerhead Turtles as the Cobia will be riding on their backs looking for an easy meal. I have to admit, now having my new Young Boat, I have “Cobia Fever” bad and tomorrows plan is to go scout for this excellent table fair preparing for the 29th annual Homosassa Cobia Tournament held this year on June 8th & 9th. Is there anything better than Blackened Cobia and a few cold brews?
As most of you probably know shortly after the Cobia arrives, the Silver Kings aren’t far behind and “Tarpon Fever” takes over Homosassa. There have been a few reports of pods of Tarpon being seen but the real craziness hasn’t begun yet. Though I have seen some huge 8 foot and 6 foot Sharks, in very shallow water, are they also here looking for the Silver Kings? This is an exciting time of the year here on Florida’s Nature Coast as you never know what’s going too happened after you cast your line into our crystal clear waters!
We have very few dates still available in May and prime dates in June are starting to book up. Check our web-site at www.HomosassaRedfish.com for more details or to reserve your charter on my new Young Boat or on my newly renovated Carolina Skiff. Let’s go CATCHING!!!
Red Ed “Coozies” Contest
Send us a picture of you holding your favorite beverage in one of our famous Red Ed “Coozies” from all around the world and we’ll do a drawing and award the winner with your choice of either a half day fishing or scallop charter. Remember Scallop Season opens July 1st and runs through September 25th. Please send your pictures to, RedEd@homosassaredfish.com. All photos will be posted on our web-site, www.HomosassaRedfish.com .
Upcoming Events
May 12 – Mother’s Day – “Gift Certificates Available”, surprise your special “MOM” with a memory that will last forever!
May 15 – Stone Crab Season Closes
May 24 – Full Moon
May 27 – Memorial Day
June 8 & 9 – 29th Annual Homosassa Cobia Tournament
June 15 – I’ll be back on the Reel Animals Radio Program with Captain Ben Marshall, from 6 to 8 AM, broadcast in the Tampa area on 970 AM – WFLA or on line at www.970wfla.com If you’d like to call in and talk some fishing the toll free number is 800-969-9352. It would be great to hear from my Tampa Bay area friends!
Capt. “Red Ed” Brennan
(352) 382-3939