Hernando Beach Fishing Report

The fishing is great on our local flats and backcountry waters. Schools of big red fish are holding in rocky areas from Aripeka to Chassahowitzka, live green backs are best or cut pin fish and lady fish also work great. Fish the middle of the incoming tide for best action for red fish and snook. Most of the reds are in the upper slot and over 25 to 32 inches. Snook are in the same area as reds look for points, cuts, and creek mouths with a good current flow. Live green backs are the ticket and the bigger the bait the bigger the snook. Sizes are ranging from 20 to 33 inches with a few over 35 inches. Trout are working there way out from the outer points of islands to the 5 to 10 feet range mirrodine 17mr in the 808 color is my go to search lure. In the deeper flats a 1/4 ounce jig head with a mirrolure little john soft bait in white or watermelon red is working good. Live bait also produce's good catches or trout a green back free lined or rigged on a bobber is deadly to trout. Cobia are showing up look for the large rays cobia like to rid the back of the rays or just behind and feed on bait that the rays stir up. Live pin fish or green backs is the way to go.