Big Bend Forecast

Homosassa to Steinhatchee

Capt. William Toney gives the fishing forecast for Homosassa, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Waccasassa Bay, Cedar Key, Suwannee, Horseshoe Beach, Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach.

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Action Spotter Podcast

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February 2 - 4

As we move one month closer to spring the inshore fishing still remains mostly unchanged. The rivers are still holding sheepshead, black drum, small mangrove snapper, and the occasional keeper trout and redfish. The best bait is live shrimp fished on the bottom. On the warmer days or warmest part of the day, the outside edge on the hard flats around the keys nice trout are being caught on jerk baits with a nose-hooked rig. Long casts are the way to find the trout and most of the time if you have a hook up stop the vessel and fan cast the area because they are tight together or schooled up.

The nearshore rocks are still producing some sheepshead and white grunts. Although I have to say I've had better luck with sheepshead that are bigger in the rivers. Some of the nearshore rocks will surprise you with keeper trout that are working their way inshore with the changing conditions so be prepared on your day fishing to make the run if nothing is happening inshore.

This is the time of year when I have days off I like to play in the woods. Some Wildlife Management Areas have a small game season that allows for squirrel and also wild hogs to be harvested. It's a fine time for a nice walk through the Big Bend hammocks and woods, plus the opportunity to bags some game. Generally, the woods are quiet with the lack of hunters so getting out and enjoying the cool weather is good for your soul. If you would still like to pursue a buck deer the 3-hour ride north of us in the Apalachicola National Forest is still open for deer hunt almost till the end of February. This national forest has free primitive camping or drag your camper trailer to one of the many camping areas. For the best info to put you on track for some hunting fun always go to www.myfwc.com. High incoming tide this weekend will be early morning.

Capt. William Toney
(352) 422-4141
captwilliamtoney@bontheweb.net
www.homosassainshorefishing.com