[dropcap]T[/dropcap]here is plenty of action for those anglers willing to endure the start of the summer heat. The redfish bite has picked up considerably in the last couple of weeks and we’re starting to see the first of the redfish schools in Homosassa. The large over slot fish are not here in great numbers, but there are plenty of lower to mid slot fish to be targeted. The outer keys are going to be the hot spots. Look for the mullet schools jumping around the points and present a free-lined live shrimp or a fresh piece of cut ladyfish or mullet for a guaranteed hook up. Don’t spend too much time in one location and if the redfish are there, you’ll know it.
The best bet for the trout bite right now is to head west. The spotty bottom in the 10ft depth range will hold a variety of species. Trout, sea bass, flounder, ladyfish, shark, etc. will keep the rods bent. Lately, the trout have preferred the dragging technique. This consists of casting your jig into the wind, or the opposite side the boat is drifting and letting the boat drift do the work. This is a summertime technique that is extremely effective. Slow twitches and letting the jig fall slowly is all that’s needed for a proper presentation. DOA shrimp or CAL shad tail jigs on a 1/8oz jig head in the holographic root beer and glow colors are my go-to baits.
Another way to keep cool is spend the evening tarpon fishing. Trolling the rivers with plugs such as Yo-Zuri mag minnows or Rapala F-18’s in the black back and silver and red head and white color combinations are good choices. If possible, plan your trips on weekday evenings for less boat traffic. Keep in mind, an outgoing tide is usually best. Anchoring up on one of the bends of the river with a spread of cut mullet can also be very effective. Keep the anchor on a release clip so when hooked up, channel markers and crab traps can be avoided when running a fish down.
The offshore reports are very good as well right now. The kingfish bite in the 50ft to 70ft depth range is the hot zone: Trolling plugs or flat lining a threadfin herring while grouper and snapper fishing will surely find a smoker king. Gag grouper are still on lockdown, but the hot weather means hot red grouper fishing. Keep in mind red grouper prefer the lower profile structures and setting up a drift over the structure can be more productive than anchoring up.