Steinhatchee to Hernando Beach

Includes Steinhatchee, Horseshoe Beach, Suwannee, Cedar Key, Waccasassa Bay, Yankeetown, Crystal River and Homosassa.

May 16-18

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Homosassa to Steinhatchee Includes Homosassa, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Waccasassa Bay, Cedar Key, Suwannee, Horseshoe Beach and Steinhatchee.

This coming weekend is going to be especially ‘fishy’ as the full moon approaches. There will be some exceptional tidal movement, and if the winds cooperate, the fish should be willing to eat just about any bait presented to them.

Big Bend offshore anglers willing to run to 60-feet or so will likely have good luck bottom fishing. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, try trolling some closer-to-shore spots like the south edges of the Cross Florida Barge Canal, outside of Marker 28. Or, anchor up on any of the close-in public reefs, toss out a chum bag and see what happens. You’re likely to find all sorts of critters on these areas—pink mouth grunts (Florida snapper) on the bottom; cruising cobia and even a stray Spanish or king mackerel. Other near shore reefs worth considering, depending on your port-of-call, are the Gainesville Offshore Fishing Club reefs (see: www.gofc.us) off Cedar Key, any of the ‘spotty bottom’ off Suwannee, or the Steinhatchee Reef. These areas might be crowded with less-adventurous anglers if the winds are howling, but there are usually plenty of fish to go around.

Inshore will likely be a repeat of previous weeks, although we’ve had a mid-week cold snap that could slow the morning ‘bite’. As the tide floods and the water warms towards mid-day, the mullet and baitfish should get frisky, as will the sea trout and redfish. Trout will be on the deep flats in 4 to 8-feet of water. Many will be undersized, but there will be some big pre-spawning fish caught on live shrimp or pinfish, as well as soft plastics or synthetic baits. If you’re shallow and not wanting to work very hard for your catch, rigging baits under a cork is good, but otherwise get your offering to the grass tops. Free-lined pinfish and shrimp, retrieved very slowly will do well. Live pinfish or topwater mullet imitations are the key to big reds, but they’re shallow and near structure, so watch your motor’s lower unit!

I’ve been reading some posts about tarpon fishing at Homosassa on our Big Bend Forum and feel I need to make a comment. The upcoming full moon in May is often considered the beginning of the ‘tarpon run’ on Homosassa’s Oklahoma Flats. If you plan to fly fish for tarpon here, be aware that you’ll need to follow the local ‘rules’—dual trolling motors, long push poles, and the ability to hit a moving target at 60-90 feet with a big fly. There’s no place on these flats for pluggers or live baiters. Also, if you’re close enough to see the color of a nearby angler’s (or guide’s) shirt—you’re too close! So, unless you’re a more-than-competent tarpon angler and rather than mess up someone’s fishing, try some other good tarpon spots this full moon weekend. Consider the flats north of Ozello, Pat’s Elbow in the Withlacoochee River, the ‘tarpon hole’ northwest of Cedar Key, East Pass in the Suwannee River, or the deep flats off Pepperfish Keys. Big fish are waiting for you there!

Capt. Tommy Thompson Inshore Light Tackle and Fly Fishing Steinhatchee, Florida (352) 284-1763 www.flanaturecoast.com/capttommy captain@twotree.net

By Capt. Tommy Thompson | http://www.flanaturecoast.com/capttommy/ | captain@twotree.net

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