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Fishing Report for Homosassa, Florida
Capt. Mike Locklear
January 19, 2002
Homosassa - Saltwater Fishing Report
Bill Fehn of Chattanooga and his fiancée, Debbie checked out of Tennessee and headed for Homosassa to get a sunburn and catch some fish. Bill has been fishing with me for 10 years now, always fishing in January. Every time he catches fish. Sometimes we catch trout. Even big redfish when the weather and tides cooperate. Sheepshead would be our target species today.
The gulf was smooth as glass. Not a ripple on it. I checked several rocks on the way out and saw a few small sheepshead on them , but not what I was looking for. Finally, in another county, I found a rock filled with the striped bruisers.
The water was about 6 feet deep. The sun was out and the sky blue. The calm water and slack tide made it tough to get a bite. After a little wait for the tidal current and some fine tuning of boat’s position, Debbie reeled in a 5 pound sheepshead after several tussles with the fish. The fish made several runs from the boatside and almost got into a rock.
Debbie reeled in three more before Bill got the hang of hooking the tricksters. You see, I was helping Debbie get hookd up. Bill got in on the action later and redeemed himself with 5 1/2 pound sheepshead. It took us half the day to catch 10 nice fish, but it was fun and no one was around, but us. Getting away from it all, that is what it’s all about. In fact they had so much fun, they decided to hire me again for a second day.
We went for trout this time. The morning air felt cool and refreshing on our faces as we headed north to the St. Martins river. First place we stopped, the trout were striking our Cotee jigs with white with red curly tail combination. We tipped our jigs with little pieces of fresh shrimp to further entice the cold fish. By working it real slow, almost dragging the bottom, we were greeted with three bent rods. It was reel action for about twenty minutes and then nothing much bit until the afternoon.
After many moves, we ended our day catching about three dozen trout, 8 of which were big enough to keep. 2 of the trout were 19 inches. Also, three flounder at 12 inches each, graced my fish box. Not bad for winter fishing in Homosassa. Where else can you go in January and fish in 75 degree weather and get a sunburn? Come on down to Florida!
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