Capt. Kelly Kofmehl
Just before Christmas I took five of my younger kids shopping for their mother. We wandered around Ocala for several hours and it started to get late. We were on Hwy 200 just south of I75 when we found Flint Creek Outfitters. This place has everything that one will ever need for fly fishing; salt or fresh water. They’ve got clothing for warm summer days or the middle of winter, the staff is very knowledgeable, helpful, and very patient, considering I’m a guy with five kids ranging from ages 4 to 12. I found some nice things for my wife for the kids to give to her, and was able to pick up some flies that I’m gonna catch some pompano on in February.
Speaking of Pompano, the last couple of years I have found quite a few in some of the deeper holes and channels that are scattered up and down the Nature Coast. Traditionally, I’ve fished light tackle with a 1/8oz. jig tipped with a shrimp, and slowly dragged along the bottom. When a pompano hits, it feels like a small pinfish tapping on the shrimp. I will slowly lift the rod tip, if there is any resistance I will go ahead and set the hook. I miss almost as many as I catch, they have very small mouths compared to most of the other fish that are commonly targeted in this part of the Gulf Coast. When you hook one though, the fight is on. It is the better of two worlds; they fight like a jack but are one of the best eating fish on the whole Gulf Coast. Most people that I know prefer them broiled or grilled with some light seasoning and butter.
The trout bite should start to pick up on the flats towards the end of the month if the temperatures are warm for a week or so. Trout and reds will start to drop out of the rivers and the warmer waters of the, “woods” to the outside flats. This makes them more easily accessible for most of the anglers. I look for fishing on the mangrove-filled shoreline to be extremely good this month.
