Homosassafishing.com :: Salt Water Flats Fishing Guide in Homosassa, Florida

March 04 2003

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While my guide associates were working the Frank Sargeant Outdoor show in Tampa some of us were lucky enough to fish. John Euart and crew of 11 from the Atlanta Fishing Club hired out 4 guides for 2 days. In rain Friday, and soaked to the bone, Jef Euart, Jeff Decker and Paul Ethridge caught and released 16 trout between 16 & 18 inches.
All those fish were released due to trout season being closed. Paul commented that we would probably not catch any trout tomorrow since it was going to be the first day of open trout season. The trip began with a long trek to the bombing range in search of the muds. For those of you who know, muds are chalked full of migratory and residential fish, all of which are hungry and willing to eat most any jig or lure casted or thrown. There were no seagulls feeding on the chopped glass minnows which is usually an indicator of the muds. It was just a big boat ride so were turned around in search of trout since the tide was so low redfishing was out of the question due to the dominating east wind. Both the guides and the anglers were all troupers in spite the bone chilling damp weather that lasted most of the day. Fortunately the next day the weather improved as John Euart, John Frazier, and James Johnson had a shore dinner planned for the first day of open trout season. It was a slow morning just as one of the anglers had predicted the day before; keeper trout were nowhere to be found by the Flat Fisher One. Our pride was crushed as we came into Suarez Island for a meal of hushpuppies and bacon. Fortunately, Capt. Fred Lyles had caught five keeper trout to use for the shore lunch. Both Capt. Jim Long and Capt. Marvin Williams didn�t add to the frying pan either. The previous day, Capt. Charlie Harris out fished everyone while running in blade deep water. He put James Johnson and John Frazier on their keeper redfish from 21 to 24 inches. I brought these redfish along since I had learned years ago to have a back up plan. Honors and prize money went to Capt. Fred Lyles for largest keeper trout for the morning outing. With a one hour turn around a new tournament was slated for largest keeper fish. My � A Team� was pumped and I knew I needed to produce. After a fruitless stop for trout, the tide was up enough to try for redfish. We stuck pay dirt at the next spot. Everyone hooked and landed their keeper redfish, even James finally caught a few. John Euart landed a 25-inch redfish, which we hoped would be the largest fish of the day. Upon landing at the dock we were greeted by the other anglers as late and disqualified. However, the boss was in our boat and he had the money. And we were not late! After some remeasuring and protested by Capt. Marvin Williams he deemed John Euart the winner by a nose. By all counts the group was very lucky to get their trip in as high winds and stormy weather have been upon us for the past few days. Capt. Mike

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