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

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

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.

If you use a live pinfish you’ll catch larger trout, maybe not as many, but more quality.

I have heard to reports of cobia’s caught last week as well, around the markers, #7 thru #1.

Redfish have been plentifull too, the water temp is slowly dropping, and that means either inshore or offshore the fish are gonna lite up.

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.

It’s still summer here, folks are out trying to get one or two more bags of Scallop meat for the freezer before the extended season closes Sunday the 25th of September. This hot weather makes scalloping very refreshing and a great way to top off a box of fish.

As the days are becoming shorter and we have some cooler(not as hot) days fish will begin to bite better, especially in shallow water. I have seen subtle changes already. Saturday, my party and I caught 10 nice Speckled Trout, including one over 20″s, and two over 18″s all 3 foot or less, and all on Saltwater Assassin 1/16oz jigheads with 5″ tails. Several colors were used, Night Shiner and Pink are the colors we used most.

Sand Trout or White Trout have began to show on the deeper flats and Spanish Mackerel won’t be far behind. There are a few here now, but not in the numbers we will see in a couple of weeks.

Redfish will be good one day and slow the next, but I guess that is partly what makes them so special, but hang on, in a few weeks a limit of Reds may be easier than a limit of Trout.

No matter what you decide to fish for, it’s going to be more comfortable to fish all day.

Thanks for checking in,

Be safe, GOD Bless, Good Fishing (Scalloping)

And Thanks for reading,

Captain, STEVE KROLL

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

The Men With Some Steinhatchee Redfish

Two Good Size Steinhatchee Speckled Trout