With a quick week of summer we are heading back into winter for a few days. All I want to know is when it will be spring LOL. Well I guess we’ve had a few days since. I’ve smelled the sweet orange blossoms in my yard and love that scent this time of year. One of my favorite fisheries off of Homosassa is getting ripe with fish and I look forward to the easy fun fishing with all the different species to be caught. Along the Big Bend many shallow areas in 5 to 10 feet of water will have shrimp hatches with trout, sea bass, spanish mackerel, blue fish, blue runners, lady fish and small gag grouper that will put a bend in your rod.
The best spot off of Homosassa is the Bombing Range. It’s halfway between Crystal River and Homosassa, or about 5 miles northwest of the St. Martins Keys. This spot has many different natural rocks and at one time was a military bombing range during WW2. My go to baits are soft plastics in glow or natural colors that resemble shrimp either in true life molds or similar shapes. My two favorites are D.O.A. or MirrOlure in glow, bourbon, watermelon red flake, electric chicken, new penny and golden bream. I’ve found that a 1/8 oz. jig head works best. As far as jig head color, I go with chartreuse with glow baits and red on dark colors. The retrieve I use is a rod high vertical 5″ to 10″ hop near the bottom like a shrimp jumping out of the grass.
The big fish that an angler may encounter fishing the Bombing Range is a cobia. Still might be a long shot but I’ve seen big sharks already and they tolerate the same water temperature. So keep a heavy spinning rod onboard to be ready. I’ve caught more cobia by chance and being prepared. Looks like this weekend the best incoming tide will be in the afternoon.
Captain William Toney
Homosassa Inshore Fishing
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