Yankeetown Fishing Report and Info

[bellrifleman]

Hi, need a Yankeetown fishing report and info. I want to go fishing at Yankeetown and I'm going to put in at the boat ramp at the end of ST rd 40. I know the power plant is south of the ramp but in the spring what would someone that knew the area do, go north towards the Waccassassa flats or south toward Crystal river and what areas would would they fish. PS  I'm not asking for numbers unless someone wants to give them to me lol.

[Flatlander]

I don't go that often but when I've gone I've fished the discharge canal (in cold weather), the pilings at the end of the d canal and toward Rocky Cove. Also in cooler weather the Withlacoochee River.

[Captain Nick]

Lots of good fishing both north, south and west of CR 40 ramp at Yankeetown.

For Trout and Reds, I personally recommend running out to the 'bird rack' (Withalocoochee River Channel Marker #9), then turn right and run about 5 miles on a heading of 340 degrees. (careful making the turn just past the rack...lots of rocks).  This will put you smack in the middle of the 'grass flats', just west of  Lowes Bay.

Depending on time of year and time of day, adjust the water depth you're fishing in. Generally speaking for Trout, the hotter the water, the deeper the fish are. Once you figure out the depth, the rest is easy. Best bet is to drift. On a good day the wind/tide will work in your favor. Typically, I'll let the boat drift as long as we're maintaining the depth the fish are biting at.  NW and SW winds work best. Make several short drifts if the wind/tide doesn't cooperate.  Maintaining that depth is the trick to big Trout and big numbers.

As to the tackle, nothing beats a Cajun Thunder for Trout. I've never seen anything like it. Like shiners for Bass, you either got a Cajun Thunder, or you need one. For the Redfish, simply run due east from the flats and fish the skinny water around the oyster bars.  Best bet is cut mullett or shrimp.

As always use caution when out on any body of water, especially the unfamiliar...

[Flatlander]

In a recent report Captain Nick said he'd been fishing the flats and near shore oyster bars around the Levy County and Citrus County Coast with excellent results. Recently he went about 4-5 miles north of the Withalcoochee River entrance to fish the grass flats for Speckled Trout.  Moving further inshore to try his luck with the Redfish he anchored up to a favorite oyster bar and noticed several varieties of bait fish in the area. Always a good sign, he then caught a Trout over 20 inches on the first cast, a keeper Redfish on the second cast, and a nice Black Drum on the third.

Below is a speckled trout caught on the trip

[Captain Nick]

Yankeetown Fishing Report, (this report was also on the Saltwater fishing reports)

Near record high temperatures throughout the Big Bend region have really effected the fishing. Water temps are already up to 90 degrees. On our most recent trips the best bite for the Trout and Redfish has been very early in the morning, typical for late summer. For best result, plan your trip accordingly, and if possible fish the near shore waters around the high tide.
 
Grouper fishing off the Citrus/Levy County coasts remains pretty good between 25 and 30 feet of water. Although I expect them to move further out as water temps increase.
 
Record numbers for scalloping appears to be the hot ticket this summer. Try around the observation platform at the Crystal River channel for best results.
 
Our go to spot during these hot summer months has been the outer channel markers of the Cross Florida Barge Canal. A wide variety of fishes are caught here on a regular basis.

[Captain Nick]

Yankeetown Fishing Report, The Red Fish bite has slowed over the past few weeks on the Gulf. Recently the best bite has been early in the a.m., and in extremely shallow water.
 
That is typical for this time of year. As water temps drop, the window of opportunity narrows. Many of the pelagic species have migrated, and the native populations are searching the warmer waters local to our region.
 
Fortunately the Big Bend has an abundance of spring fed creeks and rivers that hold lots of fishes throughout the winter months. Crystal River, Homosassa, and the Withalacoochee River entrance, just to name a few.
 
Remember the ‘T’s: time, tide, and temperature. Expect the Spotted Sea Trout bite to improve as the upcoming spawn approaches.