Author Archives: Captain Nick of Slick Charters



Speckled Trout, Redfish and Manatees

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Captain Nick of Slick Charters

Last Friday we made our way out to the “Bird Rack”, just off the Levy County and Citrus County Coasts, for some Spotted Sea Trout action. After about 30 minutes of casting a variety of baits around without any luck, we decided to try the warmer waters of the Hot Water Discharge Canal at Crystal River.

Typically the 70 degree plus water works like a fishing magnet, once the offshore water temps fall below 60 degrees. After idling up the channel, we tied up to the barrier fence and immediately started catching one “Rat Red” after the next. The water temp was 69 degrees and I thought we were in for one of those unforgettable days of fishing. Within a few minutes, several manatees swam up to the boat, apparently looking for a handout.

After about 2 hours of catching these small Redfish and watching the manatees eat the algae off the barrier floats, we decided to give the Sea Trout on more chance. We ran in to marker 33 at the Withalocoochee River Entrance, and fished the channel for about an hour. They were lots of Trout, unfortunately they were all about 12″ long. Not exactly what I had in mind.

Although we didn’t find the big ones, we all had a good time. Like they say, a bad day of fishing beats a good day at work.

Best bet for this time of year is to fish the outer markers, wrecks, and reefs for Sheepsheads, weather permitting.

Pictured below, Doug with a typical Hot Water Discharge Canal Rat, and several Sea Cows (Manatees).

Until next time…see you on the Gulf!
Good Luck
Captain Nick

This Yankee Town & Big Bend Fishing Report is from Yankeetown Florida Fishing Guide Captain Nick

Yankeetown Speckled Trout, Barely Big Enough To Take A Picture

Citrus County Manatees, Part Of The Winter Saltwater Fishing Show

Posted in Crystal River, Florida Saltwater Fishing Reports, Yankeetown Fishing Reports
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Schooling Redfish Are On The Move

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Captain Nick of Slick Charters

Schools of Redfish have been spotted in numerous locations off the Dixie, Levy and Citrus County coasts.

September and October are the best months to go for that Trophy Redfish in Florida’s Big Bend region.

Huge schools of “breed stock” Redfish run inshore up the creeks and rivers near Steinhatchee, Horseshoe, Suwannee, Cedar Key, Waccasassa, Yankeetown and Crystal River to lay their eggs this time of year, then it’s’ back to the deep water. These aren’t the typical 12-24 inch fish we’re all used to catching, but huge full grown adults, up to 52 lbs.!

Although these schooling Red’s are sometimes very picky about eating, they will bite. It’s kind of overwhelming when you see 30 huge Reds swimming in formation past your boat, but a sight to see, never the less.

Best bet is to have a fresh Mullet handy, and fishing gear big enough to handle a 30 pound Red Fish (30 lb. test minimum).  It’s hard to target these schools, but most of the time you will see them while moving from one place to another.  My advise is to be prepared.

Until next time…see you on the Gulf!
Good Luck
Captain Nick

This Yankee Town & Big Bend Fishing Report is from Yankeetown Florida Fishing Guide Captain Nick

Posted in Cedar Key Fishing Reports, Crystal River, Suwannee Fishing Report, Waccasassa Bay, Yankeetown Fishing Reports
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Late Summer Months Remain The Toughest

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Captain Nick of Slick Charters

Here in Central Florida we catch fish 12 months our of the year, although the late summer months remain to be the toughest to do so. As water temps soar into the 90′s, the window of opportunity keeps getting shorter. This equates to getting up very early to catch a 2 hour bite window for Redfish and Trout, or running 40 miles off shore to catch and release Grouper.

On the other hand, if you are not picky about what you catch, and don’t mind being out in the heat (like most of our younger clients), then summertime fishing might be just the thing for you. Lot’s of Sharks, Ladyfish, Sail Cats, and Spanish Mackerel are all over the nearshore waters off the Levy & Citrus County Coasts.

Typically most of our clients are after a specific species of fish, and prefer the cooler times of the year to pursue them. This time of year we typically catch 7-10 different species of fish every trip, which makes for an interesting looking cooler at day’s end.

I’ve noticed lots of people having trouble with their outboard motors recently, most due to the ethanol in the fuel. I have a few tips to help you out.

1. Run your boat as often as possible. This keeps the ethanol in solution, not collecting in the bottom of your tank.

2. Use fuel stabilizer…it works!

3. Buy ethanol free fuel if you plan on letting your boat sit for more than a month.

4. Change your fuel filter and lines often.

5. Last but not least, if you are tired of all the maintenance, upkeep and other things your boat requires, just give us a call! We’ve got the perfect solution!

Until next time…See you on the Gulf!
Good Luck
Captain Nick

This Yankee Town Fishing Report is from Yankeetown Florida Fishing Guide Captain Nick

Posted in Waccasassa Bay, Yankeetown Fishing Reports
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TROUT TO TARPON….CATCH “EM WHILE YOU CAN

Posted on June 11, 2011 by Captain Nick of Slick Charters

The Spotted Sea Trout are schooling up off the Levy/Citrus County coasts, along with several other species. Recently, June 6, we headed offshore for some Grouper/Cobia action, but had to go to plan “B” when the offshore seas became too rough to fish.

After about an hour of running back inside we ended up at the grass flats just north of the Withalocoochee River entrance, “Lowes Bay”.

The Spotted Sea Trout were biting good up until the tide started to slow at about 1 p.m.. Almost all of the Trout were keepers, “15 inches”, with a few close to 2 feet long.

Around noon time the Sharks showed up, both Black Tips and Reef Sharks. Not a target fish, but lots of fun on light tackle.

Both on the way out, and again on the way back in, we spotted a couple huge Tarpon, free jumping not far from the dock. This is the time of year to target those “Silver Kings”, either early or very late in the day.

The Trout preferred the jigs tipped with pinfish versus shrimp for whatever reason. I’m not sure why, I just give them what they want.

There are big numbers and a wide variety of fishes in the grass flats this time of year. Catch them while you can!

Til next time…See you on the Gulf!
Good Luck
Captain Nick

This Yankee Town Fishing Report is from Yankeetown Florida Fishing Guide Captain Nick

Posted in Waccasassa Bay, Yankeetown Fishing Reports
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Fishing Off Of The Levy Citrus County Coast Is Alive and Well

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Captain Nick of Slick Charters

On a recent trip, 5/20, we ran about 5 miles north of the Withalacoochee River entrance at Yankeetown and fished the first 2 hours of the falling tide. Just south of the Waccassasa River, this area of the Gulf of Mexico is referred to as the Grass Flats, and is teaming with aquatic life.

We typically drift the Flats for Spotted Sea Trout, although there’s a wide variety of other species in the area. The deadly “Cajun Thunder” (a rattling float) is the rig of choice.

The bite was pretty good Friday morning. Caught our limit of Trout in short order. Although we kept enought to eat, about 7, we landed over 2 dozen “Spots” in less than 2 hours. Many were keepers that we released.

We left the Flats about 9:30 a.m. and headed for the outer markers of the Cross Florida Barge Canal in search of Cobia. Although the “Cobes” were a no show, we caught several Trout, a couple Spanish Mackerel, 2 small Gag Grouper, and a decent sized Reef Shark.

Yes, fishing in the Gulf is alive and well, and that’s the feeling you get every time you go, alive and well!

Pictured below is a mess of Spots.

‘Till next time…See you on the Gulf!

Good Luck
Captain Nick

This Yankee Town Fishing Report is from Yankeetown Florida Fishing Guide Captain Nick

Enough To Eat, The Rest Went Back Into The Water!

Slick Charters Fishing Pictures
Florida Saltwater Fishing Pictures
Florida Freshwater Fishing Pictures
Posted in Cedar Key Fishing Reports, Crystal River, Waccasassa Bay, Yankeetown Fishing Reports
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