Hernando Beach Fishing Report
Capt. Josh Fritz
Spring has sprung right into summer heat along the Nature Coast. On my recent charters the inshore fishing action is great with monster red fish and snook feeding frenzy. Live bait is producing the best action for red fish and snook, target these fish on a moving tide I like a incoming tide for snook and a high out going tide for red fish. Structure and current is a huge key in finding snook and big snook at that. Mangrove points, creek mouths, pot holes, and oyster bars are great areas for snook. I rig my rods with 15 pound power pro braided line and a 30 pound leader with a 2/0 to 3/0 circle hook depending on the size of your bait. Snook will lay face into the current so cast up current and let the bait naturally drift into the strike zone.
Red fish are holding in coves and mangrove shorelines with a oysters and or rocks, look for the big mullet schools for a good sign that red fish are close by. Live bait is the best way pin fish or green backs. I like to cut the tail off the bait doing this the bait will be trying to swim and it just drives the red fish nuts.
Trout are making there way to the deeper grass flats in 6 to 10 feet of water, a 1/4 ounce jig head and a little john soft plastic in white or root beer color are the way to go. Cobia are here in all depths of water look for sting rays in the shallows or structure in deeper water rocks, reefs, wrecks. ect. Tarpon will be here in about a week be ready i'm looking now for them.
Book your trip asap the fishing action is crazy. Look me up on Facebook at captjosh fritz and Chase N Tails Fishing Charters.
