Nature Coast, William Toney

As February approaches I will be looking at 25 years of guiding on the

Big Bend. I cannot say I did it all on my own, there are much better

guides than me who have help and pushed me in the right direction that

live close to the Homosassa River, then some from Tampa and some from

the Indian River. When Ron Tremblay and I met during the summer of

1999 he started building my vessel in the Fall and from that point on

I knew this would consume my life and I was married to being a guide.

To put some fish in the box stop fishing in the river and move back

out to the outside creeks and and major river mouths. Work the shallow

edges with D.O.A. jerk bait nose hooked  with an Owner 3/0 bait SSW

Hook. The trout this time of year will lay shallow on the lime stone

shallows that will collect heat while exposed. The trout will lay on

the rock on the incoming tide warming themselves. The approach will

make or break an angler because clear shallow water the fish always

have the advantage. Small increments with your vessel is the key to

catching quality sea trout at anchor, cast as far as possible and when

your get a hook up anchor down.  The best spots are any western point

when you can look over your shoulder and see the Gulf. High incoming

tide will be late afternoon this weekend