Crystal River Redfish!!!

Report Date: July 15, 2003

Crystal River Reds!!!
Captain Ed Lewis

Big Redfish!!!! Yep, that's what we have been catchin'. The ol' spotted tail.. A rod bending, arm tiring, line screaming, tackle testing, bulldog fighting , light tackle angler's dream fish. You hook into one of these rascals with 10 lb test and light spinning gear, and you have a fun time on your hands.

With the full moon of July and August the big Reds come inshore each year, school up and spawn on the Crystal River and Homosassa flats. This is the best time to catch a big 'un. This year we have seen schools of 20 to 100 fish, all over 30 inches which puts them about 8 to 10 pounds and up. They are a little spooky, so in clear water, a stealth approach is required. Once we find and set up on a school, I try to be as quiet as possible and careful not to make any type noise with the boat. All it takes is a loud bump on the bottom of the boat and these fish disappear.

We have had best luck fishing from our 19' Hewes Redfisher powered with a 140 Suzuki 4 stroke, by drifting or poling along rocky points and rocky flats, casting gold spoons or soft jerk baits. Once we locate fish, we sight cast to the schools. We have had our best luck using live pin fish either freelined or under a Cajun Thunder cork, however, cut bait of mullet or ladyfish will work, too.
You talk about feeling "like a bird dog on point", try standing on the bow of a boat, looking at 100+ big Reds in a tight school just 50 feet away, waiting for you to throw something to eat their way. Son!!!! It don't get no better than that!!!!

Once you have one on, and he feels the hook, it's "Katie bar the door", cause they will tear out out of Dodge like a freight train. That's when you start thinking-did I tie a good knot, is the drag set right, I hope there?s not a fray in the line, , darn, my arm and wrist is getting tired. Then you come to your senses, and realize, there is no other place in the world you would rather be, than right there, right then, fighting a big 'ol spotted tail, Red!

Recently, while fishing with good friend Bill Brant and my son Jeremy for these big reds, we had a bodacious, unexpected line stretchin', drag screamin' time!
Jeremy had something Big swirl and engulf his live pinfish. He set the hook and Boy Howdy, A Silver King, better known as a Tarpon, exploded 6 feet above the water! White water everywhere, Jeremy did a masterful job fighting the big Tarpon. Each jump was met with a "bow to the King" procedure and all the necessary techniques for fighting a Tarpon were used. However, keep in mind we were originally fishing for Redfish with 10 lb. Test and a 20 lb flourocarbon leader.
We used the bow mounted trolling motor to keep Jeremy on the front casting platform to fight the fish. With coaching from Captain Ed, and photographer Bill Brant snapping action shots, thirty minutes later, a half mile away, and after 8 jumps, we were able to bring along side the Hewes flats boat, a beautiful silver king about 5 feet long. We estimate the fish weighed between 45-60 pounds. Not bad for light spincast equipment with light line!
Jeremy was using a Diawa BG 15 with Trilene Big Game 10 lb test line with Berkley Vanish 20 lb flourocarbon leader, on a Diawa's new Inshore series medium action, 7 ft. rod and an Eagle Claw 5/0 Kale hook with a live pinfish for bait. Heck of an unexpected adventure.

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If you want to have a "Memory Making" trip and catch some of these big Reds, give me a call or drop me an email. I "guarantee" you a will have fun!! From now through September is as good as it gets!!

Until next time.......

"May God bless you with golden sunsets, gentle breezes to your back, calm seas, big fish and tight lines"

Captain Ed Lewis

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