The Bite is On!
The weather is nice here on Florida’s Nature Coast and the water temperatures have reached 70 degrees so it’s time to go catching! The “Springtime Smorgasbord” has begun! As usually happens when the water temps reached 70, the fish start feeding aggressively. Redfish, Sea Trout, Cobia, Snook, Triple Tail, Flounder, Spanish Mackerel, Sea Bass, Grouper, Mangrove Snapper, Grunts, Sheepshead, Bluefish, Black Drum, Kingfish and Tarpon are all possible and you never know what’s going to start screaming drag off your reel. The ‘Sassa Slam is a very good possibility catching a Snook, Cobia, Redfish and Trout all in the same day! Drifting the pristine flats of Citrus County will continue to produce Sea Trout with many “Gators” being caught over the 20 inch limit. The Redfish bite will continue to be hot along the outside edges of rocky shorelines, most points and oyster bars.
Gag Grouper season opens on June 1st. The offshore bite will also be “RED” hot and we’ll be slamming the Gag Groupers in 20 to 30 feet of water. Whether trolling plugs or bottom fishing for these hard hitting good eating monsters is always fun. It doesn’t matter what bait you’re using as its being inhaled as soon as it hits the bottom. Fishing in clear and clean water not only can you see the structure (rocks or wrecks); on the bottom you can actually see your baits hit the bottom. We always warn our guests to hold on tight as their baits reach the bottom because it doesn’t take long to figure out if there’s a grouper on the structure. If you want to “get your arms broken” come over and try this shallow water grouper digging!
The 33rd Annual Cobia Big Fish Tournament is June 10th & 11th. It’s the largest tournament of the year here in Homosassa and limited to 200 boats. If you’ve never experienced the spectacle of 200 boats running out this river at the same time, it’s a sight you’ll never forget. Many of the homes on the river have early morning “adult beverage” parties both days just to watch the very hectic shot gun start. The weigh-in is also very exciting and a fun time to be in Old Homosassa. Cobia fever is when your passion becomes obsession! Last season was awesome and so far it looks like we’re going to have another great year as the “Brown Clowns” migrate North past our area. We’ve already been hunting the offshore reefs, wrecks and structure for these tasty beasts. Always watch for rays or turtles as Cobia tend to follow closely.
Scallop Season opens on Saturday, July 1st and runs through Sunday, September 24th. Scalloping is part snorkeling experience, part treasure dive and part saltwater fishing experience that can be enjoyed by family members of all ages. We are expecting another banner year for these tasty morsels. Snorkel in crystal clear water, usually waist or chest deep, over pristine grass flats and bag your limit of these delicious shellfish or as I prefer to call them “Dollops of Goodness”! We do two Scallop charters per day, the morning charter from 7 to 11 AM and the afternoon charter from Noon until 4 PM. With our fleet of boats we can handle large groups of any size. We already have the “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing” group from Ft. Lauderdale, scheduled for a two day Scallop adventure the end of July. Our annual trip with the Boy Scout Troop from the Tampa Bay area is scheduled in August. Please check the Scallop Page on our web-site, www.HomosassaRedfish.com for more details and rates. There are also some great Scallop videos on our site, including some drone footage. Join the excitement and start a new family tradition that will be added to your list of “must-do’s” every year! We have many clients that return year after year to enjoy what is best described as an “Underwater Easter Egg Hunt”!!
Inshore or offshore it doesn’t matter; it’s time to be on the water, enjoying the outdoors and putting fish in the cooler!
Let’s go CATCHING!!!
Upcoming Events:
April 22 & 23 – Citrus County Builders Association Tournament
April 27 – Hernando County CCA Banquet
May 10 – Full Moon
May 14 – Mother’s Day – Gift Certificates available
May 29 – Memorial Day
June 1 – Gag & Black Grouper season opens
June 9 – Full Moon
June 10 & 11 – Annual Cobia Big Fish Tournament
June 18 – Father’s Day – Gift Certificates available
June 21 – First Day of Summer
June 24 – Annual Fireworks on the River Show
July 1 – Scallop season opens
A tackle box is better than an Xbox any day
Fishing is a real experience that creates memories that will last forever!
“For Real & Forever”
Let’s go CATCHING/SCALLOPING,
Captain “Red ED” Brennan
Work: 352-382-3939
Cell: 352-476-1998