October Treats in Homosassa!!
First, I’d like to thank all of my friends and clients who made another Scallop Season enjoyable and fun! It really is just like “An Underwater Easter Egg Hunt”! I’d also like to dedicate this Scallop season to the Citrus County Chronicle and their prediction of a horrible season, not even close to being an accurate report, as we got our limit of Scallops on almost every charter!!! Remember to book early for next season as many folks due book a year in advance. Here are a few memorable pictures from this season!!
October has always been one of my favorite months to fish here on Florida’s Nature Coast. The first puff of fall weather signals conditions both anglers and fish dream about during the hot summer months. Historically the weather is nicer, creating a comfort zone for both man and fish and as the water temps drop the bait fish are migrating back South, with the predators not far behind. Whether fishing inshore or offshore the bite is on fire with a smorgasbord of fish possible!
Inshore, the Redfish are aggressively feeding with abandon trying to put on as much weight as possible before the impending cold and it doesn’t matter if the bait is Shrimp, artificial, cut or live, the outside edges and rocky shorelines are the best ambush points on an incoming tide. Remember in the NW region of Florida, you’re allowed to keep 2 Redfish per person per day between 18 and 27 inches. The Trout are back on the flats, now that all the humans are gone and a scented MirrOlure 5 inch Provoker or Lil John behind a popping cork is a sure bet for a Gator Trout! It’s a great time of the year to get a limit of these tasty Speckled Sea Trout! On a recent charter with the Black family – from Starke, Florida – after we got the bananas off the boat caught 17 Black Drum, 3 Redfish, 1 Mangrove Snapper and 1 Spanish Mackerel. All the Black Drum were caught in one spot on Shrimp with many double-headers on at the same time! The next day, went back to the same spot and caught another 7 Black Drum and 2 Redfish with the Austin party! Some nice Flounder have also been brought back to the cleaning tables. Come join in the fun enjoy the weather and a day on the water and book your charters at www.HomosassaRedfish.com .
Offshore, Gag Grouper season is open until December 3rd, and as the water cools, the Gags are moving closer with some 20 pound plus fish being caught in 10 foot of water! That’s shallow water Grouper fishing at its best!! Some days trolling plugs is best; other days if there’s too much grass floating on top, bottom fishing is best. With the pristine water here in Old Homosassa you can actually see the structure rocks, ledges or wrecks in 35 foot of water and watch your bait hit bottom. Offshore the bite is also on fire, with Sea Bass, Grunts, Mangrove Snappers, Spanish Mackerel, Jack Crevalle and even the occasional Kingfish in the mix!
Stone Crab season opens October 15th and runs through May 15th! Something new this year, we’re going to have Stone Crab traps in the water and you’ll be able to bring my favorite Crab to eat, home with you as well! Fresh claws and fresh fillets, can it get any better? Just another way to enjoy the waters of Citrus County, Florida’s last best kept fishing secret!
Upcoming Events:
Join us Saturday, October 24th, at Fish on Fire Restaurant in Orlando for the 5th annual, Anglers for Conservation – GUMBO WARS Charity Cook-off. We’ll have our trade show booth set up and have donated a package with the Riverside Resort that will be part of the silent auction. The donation includes two nights in a standard room at the Riverside Resort and two days inshore fishing in Old Homosassa. Plus we will also do a drawing at our booth and give away a one day inshore charter. Stop by our booth to say hello and register for the drawing and also to meet the new “Redettes”!
Have you listened to my favorite “Outdoor Darlin”, Misty Wells, new radio show, Let’s Take It Outside – Tan Talk 1340, www.TanTalk1340.com from 5 to 6 PM Eastern on Friday’s? Give her a listen or even better; call in a fishing report at 727-441-3000.
A tackle box is better than an Xbox any day!
Fishing is a real experience that create memories that will last forever!
“For Real & Forever”
Let’s go CATCHING!!!
Captain “Red ED” Brennan
Work: (352) 382-3939
Cell: (352) 476-1998