Fourth-generation Homosassa native
About Captain William Toney
Four Generations on the Water
Four Generations on the Water
The Toney family’s connection to Homosassa’s waters stretches back more than a century. Captain William Toney is a fourth-generation native of Homosassa, Florida, and fishing has been woven into his family’s way of life for as long as anyone can remember. His grandfathers and father were all guides, and William grew up learning the subtle rhythms of the Nature Coast firsthand: where the redfish stage on a falling tide, how the seatrout respond to the first cool mornings of fall, which creeks hold snook when the water drops.
That kind of knowledge doesn’t come from a book or a fishfinder. It comes from a lifetime spent on the same water, season after season, generation after generation. It’s the reason Captain Toney can read a flat the way most people read a road map, and it’s what sets a trip with him apart from anything else on the Nature Coast.
A Full-Time Guide and Lifelong Angler
Captain Toney is a full-time professional fishing guide. This is not a side job or a retirement hobby. He is on the water year-round, adjusting to seasonal patterns, tracking fish movements, and staying dialed in to what’s working right now. His charter service, Homosassa Inshore Fishing, has built a loyal following of repeat clients who return year after year, many of whom have been fishing with him for over a decade.
He holds a United States Coast Guard captain’s license, carries full liability insurance, and is an active member of the Homosassa Guides Association, an organization dedicated to preserving the fishing traditions and natural resources of the area.
Educator, Writer, and Ambassador for the Nature Coast
Captain Toney’s influence extends well beyond the deck of his boat. He is the host and co-owner of instructional fishing content on In The Spread, a respected online platform where professional anglers teach their craft through detailed video courses. His videos cover redfish, seatrout, snook, mangrove snapper, sheepshead, and shallow water reef fishing, drawing on the specific techniques and local knowledge he has developed over his career.
He also writes a weekly Homosassa Inshore Fishing Report that has become a go-to resource for anglers fishing the Big Bend region. Published through local media outlets and online, his reports offer honest, detailed assessments of current conditions along with practical advice on tides, bait selection, and where the fish are holding. His writing has appeared in Florida Sportsman Magazine and three Florida newspapers, and he makes regular appearances on WYKE TV’s Citrus Today broadcast.
In recognition of his contributions to fishing media and conservation, Captain Toney is a member of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association.
A Homosassa tradition
The Shore Lunch Tradition
One of the most memorable parts of fishing with Captain Toney is the option to add a traditional Homosassa shore lunch to your trip. After a morning on the water, Captain Toney will pull up to a secluded island, fillet your fresh catch, and cook it right there on the shore. It’s a tradition that goes back generations in the Homosassa guiding community, and Captain Toney is one of the few guides who still keeps it alive. For many clients, the shore lunch is the highlight of the entire trip.
Sponsors and Partners
Captain Toney is proudly sponsored by MirrOlure, D.O.A. Lures, Mercury Marine, and In The Spread.
Book Your Trip
Captain Toney’s charters book well in advance, especially during peak seasons. Contact him directly to check availability and plan your trip.