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Fishing Report for Homosassa, Florida
Capt. Mike Locklear
September 24, 2002
Homosassa - Saltwater Fishing Report
Homosassa Red Fishing
Homosassa, Florida, USA red fishing could not get much better. How much longer will it last? Read on for that answer.
Sandy and Jo Sharpe of Black Diamond Gold and Country Club scheduled a one day redfish trip with me recently aboard the Flatfisher 1, my 23 foot Tremblay which will accommodate 4 anglers just right. We met at MacRae’s dock in Homosassa at 11:00.
“I would have never dreamed that we would catch this many big redfish”, exclaimed Jo Sharpe to her daughter Teri. Teri quickly agreed with her Mom as she was reeling another 10-pound redfish. Jo’s husband, Sandy caught 8 big reds and video taped the 2-hour feeding frenzy while son-in-law, Jim Cox caught his share of 30 released redfish between 5-10 pounds. Teri caught the biggest redfish of 10 ½ pounds.
Sharpe landed the first redfish while casting a gold spoon, after that the push pole was staked off and we never moved until we cranked up to head in. It was an awesome day for the family. Two 10 pounders, several 9 pounders, a few 8 pounders and the rest were between 5-6 pounds. Both Jo and Teri said the fish bruised them up a little, wow what a great way to get hurt! All but three of the fish were released unharmed.
“Best redfishing since 1942,” said John Maddox of the Atlanta-Homosassa Fishing Club. Maddox brought along his son John, Jr. for an all day guided fishing trip in Homosassa Bay. We arrived at the redfish hotel where clear water and 3 foot depths provided non-stop action for the pair.
The team began by tossing live bait at the hungry school of redfish. Instantly both rods were doubled over and the fish were on. Each time a redfish was brought to the boat, several other redfish were chasing the hooked one. Throughout several hours of on again and off again action, the pair used 15 different types of lures and flies. Top water Mirrolures, spoons and fly rods all caught reds. We stopped counting after 25 redfish and estimated to have landed about 35 between 5-11 pounds.
United Airlines pilot Jack McGee brought along his brother for some excellent redfishing as well. Jack would fly over Homosassa and look down at this area and say, one of these days I am going fishing there. Well he did and the action was pretty dang good. The pair reeled in some nice trout and plenty of redfish to 10 pounds.
John Euart of the Atlanta Fishing Club and his guest, Mike Schildgen and John Fagot had a great time reeling in a dozen redfish to 30 inches and 9 pounds. John landed an eight-pound redfish on 6 pound test just for fun. It took about 15 minutes to get the fish alongside the boat. I had to chase the fish down like a tarpon, as it was about to spool us out of line. Fagot was the trout master during the day within our boat and landed several with two keepers in the mix.
My guess is that the big reds will hang around until the first cold front comes in and drops the water temperature below 80 degrees. Then we will have to be happy catching trout for a while. However, grouper will be moving as it gets cooler and so will the mackerel. We will still have redfish to 27 inches hanging around, so don't sweat it tournament dudes.
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