Bulldog Fishin Charters INSHORE report

We had another great week of weather and once again the fishing has been fantastic. The water clarity has been good throughout the entire area. The best bite continues to be in the early morning. The Backcountry fishing has been best from Bayport South to the Aripeka area. Be sure to target the outside points and islands near shore on a good moving tide. Live small pinfish and cut mullet or lady fish have produced the most fish. We have been catching quality redfish and trout early but when it starts to get hot the bite slows down. We have been seeing good numbers of snook in the Hernando Beach channel but getting them to bite has been a challenge. Long cast and stealth are key to fishing the channel because these fish can spook easily due to the pressure they get from the constant traffic. The flats continue to be on fire in 6 - 12 ft. of water. We he been catching good numbers of quality trout,Spanish mackerel,black sea bass,lady fish,blue fish, and shark. I find that the tactic the produces the best number of fish is to drift these depths and slowly jig scented lures like GULP 3" shrimp slowly. Find areas with good sea grass and sandy pockets and work these baits across the bottom. Small pin fish 2 - 4 in. in length put under a popping cork or free lined behind the boat seem to get the bigger trout. Scallopers struggled to catch their limits in recent weeks but the last week the numbers were much better. The best numbers have been to the North of Bayport up to the Homosassa area in 4 - 6 ft. of water. Remember to deploy your diver down flags while scalloping and have small spray bottle of vinegar on board in case any swimmers gets stung by jelly fish. Good luck and tight lines! Capt. Keith Tomlinson Bulldog Fishin Charters www.bulldogfishin.com (352)238-3581