Citrus County is a great place for fishing and many of the residents like the fact that we are so close to waterways. Whether you have a boat of your own, charter a guide or fish from any of the numerous piers, Citrus County is a fisherman’s delight. There are many opportunities to do all kinds of fishing where we live. Some of the best fishing is in Homosassa.
Our friends at Leisure Time Travel, a popular local fly-fishing travel agency, discuss the Homosassa fishing, types of fish you’ll catch and best times to do so.
Homosassa Fishing for Redfish
Sight fishing in Homosassa for tailing redfish offers an interesting challenge for the angler. Redfish are abundant in the clear shallow water here all year and remain on the flats except for the rare times we have freezing weather. Redfish make perfect fly targets. They are very obvious as they “push” water. They are not spooky. Additionally, you don’t need to cast a mile to catch one. The largest schools of redfish are found in July through late September. The biggest redfish are found in late October and November.
Seatrout
Homosassa fishing for seatrout is year-round. During the fall, early winter and again in the spring. It is not unusual to find large concentrations of fish. From late March to May, you will find “muds” on the flats where trout, bluefish, mackerel, and who knows what else will be grubbing around in a feeding frenzy.
Cobia
Late March and early April is usually blustery, but prime time for cobia fishing in Homosassa. One of the best places to catch cobia is to find stingrays. Cobia love to follow along behind a feeding ray as it grubs along the bottom. Anything that is flushed out usually gets eaten by the cobia. Just toss your fly on the ray’s back and hold on.
Tarpon
May is normally very calm and warm. The migratory tarpon start arriving. Your greatest chance fishing in Homosassa to hook a huge tarpon is here. If you really want to catch a tarpon, you will need a guide. Make your plans early as all the good guides are booked well in advance. There are tarpon in the rivers year-round.
We all enjoy a fun day fishing and there is probably nothing as exciting as catching a tarpon on light tackle. The giant tarpon that frequent the flats of Homosassa in May and June are the breeding stock that replenish this fishery. It takes fifty to sixty years to produce a big tarpon, but only an hour to kill one. All the big tarpon are females. With a few simple rules, you can get the fish in fast and release it to spawn and maintain this wonderful tarpon fishery.
The most important factor in fly fishing Homosassa for tarpon is adequate tackle. You need a good sturdy 12 wt. or 13 wt. fly rod and a reel capable of holding at least 300 yards of 30# backing. Your drag should be set at 20% of your line strength. So, if you’re are using a 20 lb. class tippet, your drag setting should be set at 4 pounds straight off the reel. With some knowledge about tackle and fighting fish, you can keep the trauma to the fish at a minimum. Your guide will help.
Jacks, Mangrove Snappers & Lady Fish
Jacks, mangrove snappers, and lady fish are thick in the rivers when the weather is cold. There have been many fishing days saved by these denizens of the winter river. The jacks are powerful fish and are fun anytime you catch one. You can catch a snapper on a “Crazy Charlie.” Lady fish are a blast on ultra-light tackle. When hooked, they jump all over the place. All the main spring fed rivers here maintain a 72-degree temperature year-round. That’s why the fish swarm in the rivers in the winter.
If you’d like to learn more about fly fishing in our area, contact the experts at Leisure Time Travel online or by phone (352) 795-3474. Their office is conveniently located in downtown historic Crystal River.
Make the Move to Citrus County
There is something for everyone when you are at your leisure in Citrus County Florida. So if you are looking for an idyllic setting to call home, contact one of our friendly professionals at Coldwell Banker Next Generation Realty of Citrus. Speak with a professional today: Crystal River (352) 794-6100 or Sugarmill Woods (352) 382-2700.
When you’re ready to build, contact the trusted professionals of Edward Russell Johnston Inc. Over 42 years of experience building beautiful homes in Sugarmill Woods and across the Nature Coast. Call (352) 795-2200.
