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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September 22 - 24

After a hot hot week on the water, I'm looking forward to a week that has some breeze to it. The trout fishing has been tough for this time of year and many anglers have been asking me about it. One thing I noticed is the lack of rock grass that is usually growing all over the flats, I believe it's because of the unseasonably warm water. The trout I have been catching is on the outgoing tide around the bars in Chassahowitzka, Homosassa and Crystal River bays using a popping cork with a MirrOlure LIL John in watermelon red flake or a nose-hooked D.O.A. 5.5 glow jerk bait. The cork will do two important things: the popping will help attract fish and also keep most of the floating grass off your hook.

The nearshore rocks have cooled off with the mangrove snapper. I don't know if most of them went offshore or if some have moved into the rivers. The inshore rocks are still holding some good-sized grunts and the occasional keeper gag grouper. Casting a plug for grouper has been tough because of the floating grass so the few I've gotten were on cut porgy, pinfish and grunts. The incoming tide will be midday this weekend. 

Editors Note: Signatures Needed! The "Right to Clean and Healthy Waters" petition needs 900,000 signatures by November 30 to get on the 2024 ballot. Learn more here: http://www.floridarighttocleanwater.org/ 

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