Cedar Key Offshore Fishing Report
The best bet for offshore fishing is Sheep Head, they are on fire. Head out to the reefs and concrete piles, using light tackle, 1 or 2/0 sharp hooks with shrimp, fiddler crabs or oysters. They are ranging from 12 to 20 inch. Also the Sea Bass are “thick as thieves” and of course the ole faithful grunts.
April 1st is not far away and we”ll be after red grouper again but until then come on down and get the sheep’s before they move off.
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.
Steinhatchee Fishing Report, Water Temps Bring The Flats To Life.
I know it’s March and it is supposed to be windy every day, but so far there have only been a couple of days too rough to work with.
Water temps have made it to the upper 60′s and the flats have come to life. We are catching Speckled Trout in the shallow flats and the deeper flats as well. Also the last several days we have caught our limit of oversize Specks.
Warmer water has turned on the Redfish in their usual places, such as shell bars and hard bottom areas. Reds are bunched this time of year, making it easy to miss them. They seem to be very aggressive when bunched up though, meaning they will chase down baits, including topwater. Very exciting!!
I included a photo of myself with a couple of nice upper slot Reds caught yesterday.
GOD BLESS, Good Fishing and Be Safe
Steinhatchee Fishing Guide Captain STEVE KROLL
Captain Steve With Two Nice Steinhatchee Redfish
Cedar Key Inshore Fishing Report
For results, fish around the southeast side of Senodie Key and around Grassy Key in 3 to 5 ft of water and many other grassy flats in same depth, the Speckled Trout are on fire. Using Cajun Thunder floats, 3ft of leader, 1/4 oz jig heads and shrimp.
Redfish are biting good as well, look for moving water near oyster bars and grassy bars, using the same as for trout or the finger mullet are working great also. Any of your favorite soft plastics or gulp work as well too.
We have had a couple of reports of Spanish Mackerel, a good sign, seems as though we may be a month ahead of schedule, due to our mild winter. So, come on down, get em while their hot
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.
Speckled Trout And Redfish Are On The Flats
It’s going to be interesting to see how Spring comes in this year.
As you all know, the winter has been very mild. Speckled Trout are on the flats with Gulf water temps in the 60′s. I still find the bigger Trout near a creek ditch or pothole. But remember, if you flush them, it’s over. So approach to within casting distance quietly. Cast your Saltwater Assassin 1/16 oz jighead with an Assassin 5″ shad to the far side of the pot hole or ditch and let it sink without to much slack, so you can feel the strike as it falls. If it’s windy, watch your line to detect strike.
Now I know this all sounds complicated, but when it works you will be raising your minimum keeper size to 16″ or 17″ inches. Or the luxury problem, having to move to find smaller fish to finish your limit, because everything in the hole was over 20″s !
My customers and I have caught more Redfish on the flats this winter than I can ever remember winters past. It does take the right day. By that I mean high tide 11 am or later, sunny and warm, not too windy. The reds will come out and play. I use the same bait I cast for Trout mentioned above. Again, a slow retrieve is the only way you’ll get bite.
This kind a fishing does require some recon, a GPS and polarized sun glasses but can be most rewarding.
At this writing there have been some great Sheephead catches at the Steinhatchee reef.
GOD BLESS, Good Fishing and Be Safe
Captain STEVE KROLL
This Steinhatchee Fishing Report is from Steinhatchee, Fishing Guide Captain Steve Kroll
Steinhatchee Redfish, This Is What you Come To Steinhatchee For.
Speckled Trout Caught In Steinhatchee, Florida. Another Reason To Visit Steinhatchee
Speckled Trout, Redfish and Manatees
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
