HOMOSASSA
You have to love the fall time of year! The cooler waters have made the inshore species more active, and for the offshore fans, the gag grouper are an easy reach away. The first real aggressive cold fronts usually arrive in November, and especially on the blue bird days after the cold front; itâs time to troll up some grouper.
Over all my years of fishing, November has always been my absolute favorite month to target grouper. The majority of the 20 pound-plus fish Iâve caught, have usually been taken the week of Thanksgiving, and the ever-reliable bright orange colored plug, usually gets the job done. Concentrate your efforts on the rocks and ledges that are from 10 to 30 feet deep. If you donât have a bunch of productive grouper honey holes, put the sun at your back and begin trolling over the dark bottom patches. When the rod goes off, mark the location, and youâll be rewarded with a new grouper spot.
The speckled trout fishing has been fantastic since October, and I expect it to continue right through the holidays. Shallow hard-bottom areas with good stands of kelp grass are holding the fish. Long drifts with jig and cork rigs like the DOA deadly combos, are a simple and very effective way to capitalize on the trout action.
The snook are migrating into our spring-fed rivers, to seek comfort for the upcoming winter, and can be targeted with success. Boat docks and rocky points are likely spots, and many fish may be holding on one location. I always prefer an outgoing tide and a MirrOlure MirrOdine attached to a 30 pound fluorocarbon leader work beautifully. Donât be surprised to catch red fish, trout, mangrove snapper or even a largemouth bass while fishing the rivers.
The red fishing is still good on the outer keys, but more and more fish will begin to spread out in the back country. These are usually small pods of fish, and for those anglers who enjoy sight fishing, now is the start of the âlow tideâ sight fishing season. The golden bream color in your favorite soft plastic brand is usually all you need if you want to use an artificial lure, and itâs always tough to beat a free- lined live shrimp too. Good FishingâŚ