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Fishing Report for Homosassa, Florida
Capt. Mike Locklear
March 8, 2004
Homosassa - Saltwater Fishing Report
Smith Party Scores Big in Homosassa
Gordon Smith of the Homosassa/Atlanta Fishing Club had a great trip with both his fly rod and conventional tackle. Spanish mackerel and grouper kept him busy all morning with his fly rod using a Clouser Minnow.
Smith turned 50 last year and figured he deserved a top of the line fly rod, so he bought the latest Sage 8 weight which was one shade lighter than deep blue. The model number I know not, but it is the newest line and the rod is very pretty and feels sweet in the hand.
One mackerel actually almost got him into his backing on the Tibor reel. Other species landed were a measly spot tail and an ugly blow or puffer fish that would not puff up for the camera.
Later in the day we turned in our fly rod and switched to spin rod and reel. Smith likes the Ande backcountry blue in 10 pound test. I attached a bimini twist to make a double line and then connected a 30 inch section of 25 pound clear Ande using a double uni-knot. This series of knots gives a full 100% in breaking strength. I tied on a blood red 2/0 Owner hook using a loop knot to insure better movement.
The bait of choice was large live shrimp hooked just below the horn and in front of the little black spot which is the shrimp’s brain. No cork was needed.
The sun was out and I could see mullet flashing along the shore line when I noticed some bigger objects reflecting their bronze, copper and reddish hue. I told Gordon to cast out as I staked the Hells Bay Marquesas with the push pole.
For the next hour and half it was a redfish every other cast and some were over the 27 inch slot. It was a day to remember for Smith. Just so you know we were humbled when we tried with no success to catch the redfish on a fly rod. Excuse. Water was too cold. Remedy. Change to live bait.
The next day Gordon Smith left me to fish with another guide. Smith invited his brother-in-law, Sheldon and his son, Whit age 12, for some excellent flats fishing. The wind was up near 20 knots and this made the morning difficult. So we opted not to fish for trout and went for sheepshead and grouper. Both father and son caught quite a few grouper. Whit landed the first and only sheepshead. A huge Spanish mackerel that got away and a ladyfish along with a stray trout provided some quick action just before the shore lunch.
After a great meal on land of fresh fish we headed back out to try our luck for redfish. I found them again waiting for us behind a tall mangrove island protected from the wind. The tide was perfect. For the next 2 hours action was steady. Photos were taken along with some video footage. Several reds in the 7 to 8 pound range were landed and released. They landed about 20 redfish together.
Whit will always remember that trip of a lifetime and his father who took him to that little sleepy town of Homosassa
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