FISHING

 REPORTS

 

CITRUS COUNTY FLORIDA FISHING at it's best with Captain Mark Zorn 
Specializing in Redfish, Speckled Trout, Spanish Mackerel & MORE
 
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2007:   Jan  /  Feb /  Mar /  Apr  /  May  /  June  
         July  /  Aug  /  Sept  /  Oct  /  Nov  /  Dec

2006:   Jan  /  Feb /  Mar-June  / July-Aug 
          Sept  /  Oct  /  Nov  /  Dec

WE'RE A LITTLE BEHIND IN OUR FISHING REPORTS- WE HOPE YOU WILL CHECK BACK.  THE CRYSTAL RIVER AND HOMOSASSA FISHING SEASON BEGINS AGAIN IN MARCH AND  WE LOOK FORWARD TO ANOTHER GREAT AND EXCITING YEAR OF FISHING.

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2008:  Coming soon....

DECEMBER 2007:    Coming soon....

NOVEMBER 2007:  The cooler weather made it's first appearance this month.  The Redfish are still around, but not in the large schools we had experienced the in September and October.  Speckled Trout fishing has picked up, and the Spanish Mackerel are showing off this month too.

The large schools of bait are moving through, and the Macks are following the bait as it moves South.  The mackerel we are catching this month are all on in the large size range, averaging  24" - 30" .    Spanish Macks are always on the move, and are continuously eating- so their growth rate is fast.  And, when the Mack Attack happens you can always depend on these fish to provide plenty of fast action.

Free-lined shrimp or cut bait always seems to get a response.    Spoons and jigs also work well too, but don't forget to gage the size of the bait or lure you are putting on your line to be similar to the size of the natural bait that is running and that the fish are feeding on at the time.

Trout fishing this month has been very good, with limits being the norm.  The large Speckled Trout have been in the kelp grass over what we call "yellow bottom".  The yellow bottom is just the harder bottom where the kelp grass tend to attach itself.    6" jerk baits in white or glow on a 1/16 oz jig with or without a popping cork tended to produce the most action for successful trout fishing.

OCTOBER 2007:  Wow !  the Redfish bite was still on this month.  The large schools of Reds were still out and about, and even though they tended to be a little "spooky", if you used caution in your approach and they went for it- the action was great !

The members of the Homosassa Fishing Club got in on the action and experienced some fantastic Redfish "Catching" too.  John Eurich had his family were down for two days,  and on each day the Reds were the main attraction.  Limits came quickly and many oversized Reds were leased unharmed.  Limits of Speckled Trout added to the fun.  Live shrimp or a cut mullet were the baits of choice for the Reds, and a white or new penny color jig under a popping cork did the trick for the Speckled Trout.

The Homosassa - Atlanta Fishing club members were down for their Annual Jamboree.    Members Hugh Dorsey and Ellis Green came a little early to get a head start with the Reds before the whole crowd came.  During the Jamboree, 30 anglers and 10 guides hit the flats for some exciting Homosassa Redfishing !  Although Redfish were the target,  many Speckled Trout were also boated each day.  A shore lunch was prepared by the members of the Homosassa Guides Association and nothing can beat a fresh catch of reds and trout landed only hours before.  Now that's the way to enjoy truly fresh fish.

SEPTEMBER 2007:   Scallop season closed on the 10th of this month, but Redfishing in Homosassa and Crystal river is just about as good as it can get !

John Maddox of the Atlanta Fishing Club- along with his family, caught over 100 Reds in two days.  They were all sizes, however, many were over 30", with the largest topping out at 36" in length.  To be honest, the total of 100 Reds is actually low, but who has time to count when a hook-up is made on every cast.  Bait didn't seem to matter, in fact once the bite started, we were catching Reds on a bare 1/16th oz red Salt Water Assassin jig head !  If I hadn't been there I wouldn't believe it- no tail or shrimp, just a bare hook.

The Spanish Mackerel are starting to show up near shore.  Look for the big bait pods.  You will see the Macks sky-rocketing out of the pods.  Small silver spoons, free-lined shrimp and lady-fish strips will get you plenty of action !

AUGUST 2007:  Reds and Scallops were the key-words for August.  Many of my guests like to "double-dip" as I called it.  We scalloped on the outgoing tide and Red fished on the incoming !  On most trips we limited out on both, with dozens of oversized and over-limits Redfish released to fight again another day.  The big schools of Reds were out and about this month and were not shy about making their presence known.

The Trout fishing has picked up and both live bait and artificial baits are producing.  Try a pinfish tail under a popping cork on the deeper grass flats.  3" shrimp "Gulp" is the premier artificial this month.  Try it on a 1/8 oz jig or under a popping cork.  Trout along with many other species just can't seem to resist it !

A good client and friend of mine, known as "Tip-It" fished and scalloped three-days in a row and boated their limit of 8 gallons of scallops in less than 45 minutes each day.  He and his guest "Owen" also had their limit of Reds each day with many oversized (up to 30") released back into the gulf unharmed.

JULY 2007:  With the hot weather in full force this year, a good way to cool off was to grab your mask and snorkel and head out for a scalloping trip in Homosassa.  Plenty of scallops were found in 3-6 feet of water.  On most trips this year, limits were gathered in less than two hours. 

The outgoing tide, about two hours before low tide and also as the tide turned were the best times.  There were a lot of little jellyfish around this year, and with the shallow water and the outgoing flow it kept the Jellyfish off-shore. 

Speckled Trout fishing slowed up this month on the shallow flats, so we moved out into the deeper grass beds.  Redfish started to turn-on and by the end of the month Redfishing was Hot !  Live shrimp and pinfish were hard to beat, but when the Reds decided they were hungry, they didn't seem to particular about what kind of bait we were presenting.  Be sure to check out the photo gallery for some nice pics of these Reds.

JUNE 2007:  With the water temps reaching the high 80's, the Speckled Trout have been looking for cooler water.  We've been fishing the shallow waters of Homosassa and Crystal River (2' or less) in the early morning and late afternoon.  Jerk baits and top water plugs worked over the pot holes and rocky bottom will trigger the strikes.

During the heat of the day, we've had luck moving on out to the deeper grass flats.  Working a 1/6 oz up to a 1/4 oz jig, depending on the water depth, in a variety of colors has been producing hits.  The pearl white, new penny and electric chicken colors have all been favorites this month.  Change your speed and depth of retrieve in order to find the right action to promote the most strikes.  Blue Fish, Spanish Mackerel and Lady Fish will all be with the Trout, so expect a variety of action.

Redfishing in Crystal River and Homosassa around the islands and oyster bars using live and dead shrimp, cut mullet and pinfish have been attracting all sizes of Reds.  There have been many undersized puppy drums caught this month- and remember it's important to release them carefully not to harm them, so they can grow to their full size potential for another lucky angler to catch one day !

MAY 2007: The illusive Cobia have started showing up this month, and  some nice sized keepers have been in the mix.  At the beginning of the month, Jack (see photo to right) landed a 40 Lb+ Cobia on 10 Lb test line, using cut bait.  Though the odds were against him using such light tackle, Jack's perseverance and angling skills enabled him to boat this spirited catch. The exciting fight lasted about 30 minutes !

Since Cobia tend to follow the Stingrays, we've been casting to the Rays in shallow water using light jigs and jerk baits.  The smaller Cobia seem to beat the larges ones to the bait, but they still put up a great fight and are a lot of fun.

The Redfish bite has been good, with plenty of fish in "the slot" range and many over the 27" maximum size limit.  Gold spoons and jigs are producing many productive hits, however live shrimp have been the most dependable bait for landing nice sized Reds.

Speckled Trout are also biting and many nice ones have been boated, along with Spanish Mackerel and Blue Fish.  Fishing with jerk baits and 1/8 oz. jigs have been the best bait for Trout.  We've also been free-lining shrimp and cut bait targeting the Macs.

I look forward to more great fishing in June.

APRIL 2007: Redfish, Spanish Mackerel and Speckled Trout were the target species of this month !  The trout fishing was good.  Early in the month we were finding them in the shallow rocky bottom, but towards the end of the month they had moved out into deeper grassy flats.  During one excursion this month,  Richard and his group boated their limit of trout and ten nice Macks all in a short half day trip.

The Spanish Mackerel haven't been shy this month either, and the action has been dependable.  Free lined shrimp has been the best bait to catch these feisty fish.  Many over 5 lbs. has not been uncommon.

There have also been some nice schools of Redfish in all sizes, from just under keeper size up to just over the 27" legal maximum limit.  Once again, live shrimp was the bait of choice.  20 redfish per trip was the average, along with other species landed.

MARCH 2007:  Speckled Trout are back in season and the bite is HOT !  After waiting a month during the closed season in February, Charles, John, Ron and Ron (yes 2 Rons) were in a catching mood.  Using 1/8 oz jigs they had their limit of trout in no-time flat.  So- we switched locations and bait, and we began putting Spanish Mackerel in the cooler. 

With the water temperatures warming early, it really fired up the Mack Attack !  The keeper limit is 15 Macks per person.  However, remember to only keep what you plan to eat and release the rest.  These hard hitting, line screaming fish are a blast to catch on light tackle and are delicious on the grill or broiled.

Limits of trout was the norm, and when the action started- it didn't take long to reach the limit of 5 per person.  Gary Linn, a friend and client of mine had, along with his two guests boated their 15 fish limit in less than 30 minutes.  3" gulp on a 1/8 oz jig-head was the secret to their success !

A few Pompano are also starting to show up.  Free-lined shrimp with no weight produced the strikes.  Also- try dropping small pieces of shrimp, but not to much.  This will entice the Pomps to come into catching range.
 

FEBRUARY 2007:
During February, Speckled Trout season is closed in this region to cut down on the recreational harvest, so that the population can increase.  This is done throughout Florida by region.  Even though the season is closed, you will still catch Trout and during this time we practice "catch and release".  However, the fish can be harmed when caught, so I make it a point not to target this species during the month of February.

Big sheepshead on the shallow rocks were very active this month.  Using live or dead shrimp with as little weight that you can get away with, was the trick to catching these fish.  Redfish of all sizes were being caught in the rivers and creeks, but many were on the small size.  Live shrimp and a 1/8 oz jig triggered the strikes, with root beer and new penny being the colors of choice. 

One of by favorite guests, "Michael Herman Smith" landed over 30 Reds on one trip, and we had to leave a spot because on every cast he continued to hook-up with a fat trout all in the 2-3 Lb. range. 

JANUARY 2007:
We've had an unusually warm January and with the warm weather- also came some great trout fishing !   

Using either white or new penny "Gulp" bait, in the 3" shrimp on a 1/8 oz jig head, and worked slow on the bottom produced most of the strikes.  However, the speckled trout's strike was sometimes very light (just a tap).  This is when the braided lines out perform mono.  With the braided line, you can feel every tap and bump when the fish are hitting soft.

Limits of trout were the norm, with some nice fish in the 3 lb range.  Small Bluefish in the 1-2 lb range were thick on the deeper grass flats, and provided a lot of action.  Redfish were scattered around the bars and rocky points, but a lot of big fish were found back in the skinny water.  The reds are same as the trout, when the water is colder- you need to work your bait a little slower, but put a  live shrimp on the bottom, and it's hard for a redfish to refuse.

DECEMBER 2006: 
From Kings Bay in Crystal River to the flats off of Homosassa- there were plenty of fish to be found- that is; depending on the cold fronts.  When we had a couple of cold nights, I would stay up in the river or around the warm water canal and had no problem getting on the fish.  Lady fish were hooking up on every cast in Kings Bay, and many undersized trout were caught in the river.  I estimate that at least 15 short trout were boated for every keeper trout that was landed.  Redfish provided plenty of great action, although most were undersized, but still a lot of fun !  On one trip with a client of mine, Scott and his guest landed over 75 reds- all out of one hole !  They also caught Snapper, Sheepshead and Black Drum.

During the warmer days, the water on the flats would move up a couple of degrees and the Speckled Trout would move back outside.  Working a jig or jerk bait slow near the bottom produced some nice limits of fat Speckled Trout !.  Working the shallow bottom and the pot holes seemed to be the key to success.

NOVEMBER 2006: 
November brought the cold fronts and with them, the wind.  However, between the fronts, the fishing was still good.  Fishing out of Crystal River, we were still catching Spanish Mackerel, Sand and Speckled Trout, Reds, and misc. others, but the Macs are on their way offshore as the water cools.  Redfish are around the rocky points and oyster bars, as well as up in the creek and in the river.  Many are undersized, but there were still some big ones caught, and schools of big reds were found in the back-country of Ozello.

Homosassa offered up some nice Speckled Trout and they were found in the kelp grass and along the hard bottom.  But with the water temps dropping, they will move into the deep holes in the river and surrounding creeks.  With the cooling of the water, it is necessary to slow down the presentation of the bait and work it a little slower and be sure to cover your area completely.  Jerk baits and slow sinking plugs are your best bets this time of year.  Like Crystal River, the Redfish around Homosassa are following the same pattern and are found around the rocky points, oyster bars, and up in the creek and in the river.  Jerk baits, gold spoons and live bait will all provide great action.

OCTOBER 2006:  Fishing was great this month !
From Chassahowitzka to Yankeetown, the bite was on.  Speckled Trout were hitting "new penny" or "electric chicken" grubs on 16oz jig heads, and were found in one to four feet of water.  Angler keeper limits were the norm, and many others were over the 20" maximum size limit and were landed and released unharmed.

Spanish Mackerel were hot and some monsters made themselves known.  Free-lined live shrimp and strips of lady-fish were the best baits for catching the feisty fish, although jigs also produced.  These hard-hitting, hard-striking speedsters put a great show both on the water and at the dinner table.

Redfish were caught around the islands using live shrimp or a pin fish.  All sizes were landed from 12" puppy drum to big 32" bull reds.

While fishing for the Macs, we also landed Sand Trout up to 16" and Pompano up to 20".  Sand trout do not get as big as their cousins the Speckled Trout, but they put up a fight like there is no tomorrow.

As always- my "Thanks" go out to all my guests this month. 

SEPTEMBER 2006:   The "Mack Attack" was on during September.  Free-lined live shrimp were the key to success is catching these feisty fish.  On most days, the cooler was full.  And, as I hoped, the big Redfish were also out and about and provided many days of exciting action.  My guests landed Reds up to 34 1/2" in length and 14+ pounds.  We limited out on Reds on just about every trip !  Other species were also plentiful and my guests caught many Silver Trout, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, Cobia, Blue Fish, Lady fish and Gag Grouper.  There was also a surprise catch when Judy outdid her husband (Rod) and landed a huge 38" Snook while fishing out of Crystal River.  My "Thanks" go out to all of my guests this month, and I really enjoyed fishing with all of you. 

Check out my Photo Gallery and take a look at some of these fish caught in September.

 JULY - AUGUST 2006:  July 1st started the opening of scalloping season.  I went out of Crystal River and there were hundreds of boats full of excited men, women and children full of anticipation- hoping to limit out on scallops.  I found that the scallops were very scattered about and still  in deep, murky water.  I recommend to my clients that they wait a couple of weeks to see if the water cleared and if the scallops came into shallower water.  Since fishing is my specialty I didn't have the opportunity to participate in many scalloping trips, although I did take a group out last week and the water was very clear and we limited out by the end of the day.  Although, the scallops are still out a little deep in 6-8 feet of water.

Now for the fishing !  Big redfish are schooling up on the rocky points.  I've been doing best free-lining live baits into the tide.  Speckled Trout usually slow down a bit during these hot summer months.  My guests have been picking up some nice ones in a little deeper water over the grassy flats.  We've also been picking up other species such as shark, and cobia.  The Spanish Mackerel fishing has also been great and you can always count on them to provide you with an exciting run.

I'm looking forward to fishing in September when the weather and water cools off a bit.  Scallop season ends on the 10th of September, so be sure to get your trip scheduled.  As far as fishing, sure catches in September will still be reds, trout and mackerel. 

MARCH  - JUNE 2006:  As you can see....I've gotten behind in my fishing reports.  But, that doesn't I haven't been out on the water with my clients and doing my best to put them on the fish !  Check out the featured catch and take a look at the huge Snook that Judy of Daytona, FL landed out of Crystal River.  Her and husband "Rod" battled windy conditions and choppy waters, but their persistence paid off when Judy landed this Snook.   Thanks for your patience, and in the future I'll be sure to keep you up to date on the great fishing action in Crystal River and Homosassa.

FEBRUARY 2006:
February is a closed month for Speckled Trout, so all had to be released.  This allows this popular sport fish to multiply and ensure the continuation of a healthy population.  And, even though my clients and I practiced catch and release during this month- they were still a lot of fun to catch !  Many species were landed during February, including Reds, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Permit, Snapper and Jack Crevalle.  Live shrimp and white with pink tail jigs was all that was needed for non-stop action this month.  Try tipping your jig with a small piece of shrimp if the actions slows down.  This never fails to get the attention of near-by fish.  Gold spoons were also successful towards the end of the month.  While there have been a few days just after a cold front that the fish didn't want to cooperate, all in all February hasn't been a bad month for catchin.

JANUARY 2006:
Cold January nights and frosty mornings made the run to the fishing holes more than a little nippy !  With water temps in the low 50's, it put me in search of warmer water.  It only takes a few degrees higher to make all the difference.  Fishing with live shrimp and 1/16 oz jigs worked slow near the bottom gave the most action during this cold month.  During January keeper sized Reds sure were scarce, but the short ones were everywhere !  Speckled Trout (Sea Trout) were the best bet for this month.

My "Thanks" go out to my clients (and good sports) for wetting a line with me this month: 

Until next time.......KEEP ON FISHING !!

Lauren and a very respectable keeper Trout- Homosassa, FL