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

Citrus County Manatees, Part Of The Winter Saltwater Fishing Show

For the people that serve their local communities and send me reports, here is 25 Reasons To Hire A Fishing Guide (aka Why hire a guide?)

A Professional Guide Will Put You On Fish, (that’s their job).

A Pro Guide Will SAVE YOU MONEY

1. No boat payments

2. No fuel bill

3. No boat maintenance

4. No boat insurance

5. No boat registrations

6. No boating equipment to buy and maintain

7. No boating gear to buy and maintain

8. No boat tags

9. No boat permits or licenses

10. No tackle to buy and maintain

11. No bait to buy

12. No need for storage facilities for your boat

A Pro Guide Offers Peace of Mind & Mental Health.

13. No worrying about safety equipment,

14. No worrying about breakdowns from your boat being parked to long.

15. No worrying about navigating dangerous or unfamiliar waters

16. No worrying about sea conditions, weather etc

17. No psychological problems caused by $250 a month or more payments for a boat you see parked for 3, 6 or 9 months.

18. No convulsions or dry heaves from writing insurance payments for a boat you see parked for 3, 6 or 9 months.

A Pro Guide Will Save You Time by

19. spending your time fishing or sleeping rather than prepping boats

20. not having to put gas into your boat

21. not having to put extra gas into your truck, suv or car to tow your boat

22. not having to round up bait, ever had to go to several places to find bait?

23. not having to do the dreaded clean up of your boat after your fishing trip.

24. letting you can sleep in while your guide does the dirty work.

25. being a quick way to learn about the local fishing and water conditions. It can take several weeks, months, or years if you do it your self.

and one to grow on ……..

With a guide you just walk on the boat and go!

Why do Guides Hire Guides?

When guides go on vacation many hire a local guide because,

1. they want someone else to do the work.

2. they are fishing new or unfamiliar waters.

3. fishing techniques change with geographical areas and they like to learn these new techniques.

4. they get real-time info on what is biting, when and what its biting, and how its biting.

Saltwater Fishing Guides

Freshwater Fishing Guides

This list was made mostly by Captain Nick Bozman and his cohorts and a little by OutdoorUpdate.com

Humble apologies is all I have for not submitting a report in such a long time. I was recently scolded by a customer who told me they checked in from time to time to read what I posted. Yes I’ve been busy, but plain old sorryness is the only excuse I have.

I have had a great 2011, in fact the number of trips was a personal best.

River fishing has been disappointing so far, especially for those who enjoy creek and river fishing. It just has not been cold enough. There are some Trout and Reds there, just not the numbers we had this time the last 2 years.

The good news is Speckled Trout and Redfish are still on the flats. With water temps in the mid to upper 60′s shrimp, pinfish and their predators are there also. You may have to look a little harder, but focus your effort on flats adjacent the river and major creeks. Days with sunshine and south breezes will be best.

Fishing success is “right time-right place”. I guided the Menken family recently to one such day. The kind of day you have to move because the Trout were to big! And when you cast your jig you didn’t know if it would be a Red or Trout until you were able to feel the pull.

Anyhow, we are having a great fishing this mild winter. Offshore fishing has been very good as well.

Thanks for reading,

I promise to be more frequent, Good Fishing.

Captain STEVE KROLL

GOD BLESS, MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

This Steinhatchee Fishing Report
is from Steinhatchee, Fishing Guide Captain Steve Kroll

Dinner! AKA Steinhatchee Speckled Trout

Diversity in Steinhatchee, a Speckled Trout AND a Redfish

 

A Bucket Full Of Speckled Trout

Saturday, November 12th, was a rough trip, cold, windy and 3-6 foot seas, the bite was slow but there were good red grouper & gag grouper in 45 to 60 feet. We were/are even catching keeper red grouper in 30 feet of water this year. Large sea bass are in 25 to 30 feet as also and they make great table fare.

Sunday, November 13th, we had beautiful weather and the fish were on fire, we released plenty of keeper sized gags and plenty just short. We did best in 55 feet of water.

Remember, you’re now allowed four red grouper, even though gag grouper fishing will be closed. The Amberjacks have moved back in, go to structure or wrecks, use live bait or jigs and have all the fun you can stand.

Till next time, tight lines and safe boating

Capt. John blouse

Hooked up charters & Cedar Key Marina II

 
This Cedar Key fishing report is from Cedar Key Marina II and Cedar Key Fishing Guide Hookedup Charters.

The Team With Some Nice Cedar Key Grouper

Smiles And Cedar Key Grouper

A Shed Full Of Grouper, One Of The Things To Love About Cedar Key.

There also have been good numbers of sheephead caught around the docks, as the temperature gets cooler, they will move in strong. so come on down to Cedar Key & the Big Bend, the fish are biting.

Till next time, tight lines and safe boating

Capt. John blouse

Hooked up charters & Cedar Key Marina II

 
This Cedar Key fishing report is from Cedar Key Marina II and Cedar Key Fishing Guide Hookedup Charters.