Tarpon, Redfish and Scallops rule!!!

Report Date: June 20, 2004

Tarpon, Redfish and Scallops Rule...

Joyce Brant's Birthday Red - A Bubba!!

Summertime on the Nature Coast flats is Tarpon, Redfish and scallop time!! The tarpon showed up a little later this year and hopefully will stick around longer. Capt. Jim Long boated a 170 plus silver king on flyrod and there have been many reports of other big fish landed off the Homosassa flats.. Captains Mike Locklear, John Bazo and Charlie Harris have hooked and brought to the boat some impressive fish, also. The big schools of redfish are just beginning to show up. There are plenty around but you have to hunt for them. Rocky points, grass shorelines, rocky bottom and oyster bars are prime hot spots. The spoil banks north of Crystal River yields plenty of reds this time of year. Try using gold/silver spoons or soft jerk baits like the Saltwater Assassins or top water plugs early and late like the Mirrorlure Top Dog, She Dog or Top Pup in red/white or black/orange or green/white.

Occasionally, while fishing for Reds you get an unexpected suprise. Several folks have had Tarpon catches and hookups on light tackle while fishing for Reds. Try landing an 80 pound plus fish on 15 pound test. It can be done, but you better have all your lucky charms with you and plan on a 2 hour battle if your line holds. Either way, it?s a heck of a thrill just to hook and see one in the air. Also, we have caught a large number of sharks this year. It appears there are larger numbers inshore on the flats this year than in previous years with some big bull and tiger sharks seen.

This just in, The Homosassa Cobia Tournament held June 12 & 13th was won by Randy Hodges with the winning fish going
56 pounds. Second fish weighed in at 42 pounds and everybody at MacRae?s of Homosassa said this was a very good year and declared the tournament a great success.

Scallop season opens July 1st and scallopers should have excellent success on the grass flats off Crystal River and Homosassa. We have been seeing large numbers of big scallops on our recent flats trips. However, with the large number of boaters after these tasty morsels, the boat ramps can get crowded, so, come early or plan to spend some time in line. Or better still, give me a call or email, and book a trip and leave the driving to us. We have some good ?secret? spots.

Bill Brant's gator trout-= a good 'un

Trout fishing will continue to be spotty. With the 85 to 90 degree waters inshore most trout are in 8-12 ft of water. However there are some good ?uns still close in. Best time to catch a trout is early morning until about 9 oclock or on overcast days when the water is cooler. If you just want to catch trout, try throwing a Cotee jig with a Saltwater Assassin in Electric Chicken color and fish it deep just off the grass.

There will be plenty of big tarpon still around on the Homosassa/Chaz flats. They can still be caught on the flats with fly or spinning gear and later in the month in the Rivers and deep holes fishing with cut bait. It is a wait and see game, but well worth the wait when you hook up with one of these giants.

Grouper and offshore fishing has been good lately and should continue through this month. Mostly coming from deeper water of 40- 60 feet.

Be safe out there. It can get mighty hot, so take plenty of water, gatoraid, or whatever to stay hydrated. Also, this time of year thunder storms can come up from nowhere. So, use caution when you see a thunderhead close. Keep your radio tuned to the local weather channel. Catching one more fish or scallop isn?t worth it.

Ralph Gilchrest, Florida's Principal of the Year, First Redfish!

As we celebrate July 4th our Independence Day, let?s all remember our men and women overseas and around the world who serve every day to help us preserve that independence and freedom. May God speed and protection be with them and bring them home safely soon. I, for one, am Proud to Be An American!!!!!! May you have a blessed Independence Day?..

Take a youngster fishing, ?cause a child?s smile and a good day fishin? is the best medicine for whatever ails ya.

Until next time?..

Captain Ed Lewis
CaptainEd@Redfishhunter.com
www.Redfishhunter.com

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