2014 April May Fishing Report

I met Gary Yackel and his family at the dock at 8 on a Saturday morning. We took off, down the river. I knew that the CCBA fishing tournament was the same day. I headed straight to my pinfish traps, when I slowed down at the first trap I looked behind me and there were 2 boats following me. I thought to myself, I know how this day is going to turn out. We took off through the mangrove littered creeks ran about a mile, a wake popped up on the North shore line of the creek that we were in. Gary saw it also, he has fished enough with me to know that their was something to the wake. I shut the boat down and let the fish settle. Put the Minn Kota in the water and slowly eased up the narrow ditch that the fish entered. Slowly and quietly we pushed forward until I could see about 40 big Reds in the back of a pond that ditch opened into. I launched 2 live pinfish into the middle of the school. It was only about 3 minutes, it felt like 30, before the drag started screaming off of the reel that Gregg was holding. The oversized Red put up a hard fight, then it decided to head out the creek where the boat was anchored. As the Red came towards the boat it turned and went under 3 mangrove roots. I told  Gregg to open the bail on the reel, to give the large fish a free spool. I quickly slipped my shoes off and the wallet out of my pocket and into the water I went with rod in hand. I was able to slide the rod under the roots as the red shot under the the boat and out the creek. As soon as the line was free from the mangroves I handed the rod back to Gregg , so he could finish the fight with the 32 inch Red. The day turned out to be a good day fishing with some big Trout for dinner.

 
 
Capt Kelly

March 2014 Crystal River Fishing Report

I was poling my Gulfshore 20 into a narrow Mangrove creek, when a school of over slot red fish started pushing a wake 40 yards up the creek. I told my client, Robert, There thy are, get ready. I knew where the fish were going to settle, so thats where we placed the large, live shrimp that Robert was using for bait. 60 seconds later the fish spook and come pouring out the creek like a bunch of Texas long horns on stampede. I tell Robert there they go look at all of them, as they blast out the creek 10 feet from the side of the boat. I'm looking at the fish as they rocket by, Thats when iI see it, Robert's line is going with them! I start shouting out of excitement, REEL! The bull on the other end of Roberts line took him around the boat 3 times. All I could hear, besides screaming drag, was Robert. " Lord please don't let this line break. When we got the fish in the boat it was 33inches and weighed 12.5pounds.  

  We have also been able to do some sight fishing for Trout getting our limit on most of the trips over the last 30 days. Fishing has been on fire, and will be as water temps are warming up. Book your adventure now.
  Capt Kelly
1-352-445-2755

November 2013 Homosassa Fishing Report

November makes me think about turkeys, pumpkins, family and hunting. My Family always spends Thanksgiving in the woods at our hunting camp. Good times and great food, with friends and family. But I have to come out of the woods and fish; I can never stay away from the salt water of the Nature Coast for any length of time. What I have been doing lately and it will work right through November, is a new bait that I have been trying and having a lot of success with. It is the 3D TPE Shrimp, made by Savage Gear. 

On a recent trip with clients I was trying the Savage shrimp while my clients were throwing another bait. We were using Cajun Thunder popping corks with about an 18in leader and the jig on the bottom of the rig. It is rare that I fish with my clients, but they insisted that I did. I wanted to try the bait, so I stayed in the back of the boat while the 2 of them fished out of the front. It was about 30 minutes into the trip when I was asked if they could use one of the Savage shrimp as well, of course my answer was sure you can. I wanted to try the unproven bait before I gave it to someone to use. In my book it is now a proven bait.
  With the cooler nights of November and the waters cooling down, the Red fish bite will be a little more aggressive.  We have had a good summer with the Reds and with most of the fish that we have caught being at the top end of the slot or bigger. The fall months should be the same. Mackerel and other striking fish that migrate South for the winter are on the move as well. Some large schools have been spotted in about 30 feet of water. There will be smaller schools within a  couple miles off of the shore line. The Gag Grouper bite has also been strong in shallow water. All of these fish will stay strong until the water temps fall below 60 to 65 degrees. This Thanksgiving season lets all take time to be thankful for the things that we have been blessed with; we all have something.
 
Capt. Kelly Kofmehl
www.spottailscharters.com
Inshore and Flats Fishing
www.okumafishing.com

September 12th 2013 Homosassa Fishing Report Scallop Report

The night time temps are starting to drop just a few degrees, giving us here on the Nature Coast the hint that fall is just around the corner.  October is the month of several changes here in the small stretch of paradise that i get to call home. First Stone Crabs are back in season. They will be on the market and ready to be consumed on October 15. With the Crystal River Stone Crab Jam the first Saturday in Nov. Another change is the opening of a new store here in Crystal River, Sodium Fishing Gear. I had the opportunity to sneak a peek in the store the other day. Brandon and Casey not only have fishing apparel from head to toe, but they also have rods, reels coolers, a full line of Carbon Marine products, Fly fishing gear and much more. Stop in and support one of the "local" businesses.

  On my trip yesterday I was polling my clients down a shoreline, I could see fish working in front of the boat about 150 yards. I told my guys to get ready to throw. When I was able to maneuver the boat into casting position I told Bo and Jordan to throw in front of the school of Reds. One guy made a perfect cast and the other was behind the school. About 2 seconds after the first bait hit the water, drag was rippin off the Okuma reel. We were able to catch 3 Reds out of that school before they just blew out on us, the first one was 30 inches, the second 31 inches and the third was 32. What a awesome bunch of fish. They defiantly had all of our hearts pumping for a while.  
    Trout will be back inshore once again in some larger numbers making it possible to catch a limit without having to run way out into the open bay, as the water temps begin to drop a few degrees. I have been eagerly awaiting this event to happen. I typically fish with a popping cork rig this time of the tear. Last October we did very well on the Trout and I have already noticed some early arrivals.
  Capt. Kelly Kofmehl
  352-302-5861 or1-352-445-2755
Scallop numbers have still been good. Call us for a Scalloping trip.

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