Hernando Beach Inshore report

Every week seems to be a constant battle against mother nature to try and find a day when the weather will allow us to go fish. The winds for the last month have blown so much that out of the past 30 days we have had a small craft advisory for nearly 50% of the time! We did have a few days this week where the weather was nice and I was able to get clients out to the flats for some Nature Coast fishing. In 6 - 8 feet of water the Mackerel bite is still pretty hot. In 8 - 10 feet of water is where the bigger trout are feeding. Drifting with a chum bag out while throwing a silver spoon or freelining a shrimp in the slick is a very effective tactic for both species. While drifting try tossing a shrimp to some of the sand pockets for flounder.These guys just lay in these sandy openings in the grass just waiting for something to ambush. We are starting to see cobia in our area so have a rod and reel ready to handle one of these bruisers. Cobia will follow that chum slick right to the boat so be ready to toss a large shrimp or pinfish to them. You can also use a variety of artificial to attract a strike. I like to use a 1/2 ounce jig with a white or new penny 4" gulp shrimp. They like these colors and seem to hold on to them longer when they strike due to the scent. When drifting or anchoring with a chum block I often take a heavy spinning rod like the one I use for cobia and float a piece of cut ladyfish under a cork to give my clients an opportunity to land a big shark. This past week we had numerous hook ups with large blacktip sharks. The power of these sharks is impressive. A 20 minute fight with one of these guys will test you endurance. 40 or 50 LB. braided line with a 60 - 80 LB. leader(steel preferably) tied to a 6/0 circle hook works good. Be ready to start the boat and follow these guys around a bit until they tire so you don't get spooled. Good luck out there and tight lines!! Capt. Keith Tomlinson Bulldog Fishin Charters www.bulldogfishin.com (352)238-3581