Captain Frank Bourgeois Hernando Beach Florida 352-666-6234 capfrank@alwaysfishing.com
Bass Fishing has taking a big jump from the conventional little back pond image. Lets look just a little in our past to see the future. We see Bass pictures with large strings, of fish, hanging on boards. Today we see large catch and release tournaments. We have a lot of pressure going toward lakes, and rivers. Fishermen are now turning toward fishing tidal waters as an area not pressured as much. For years fishermen would launch there boats in the fresh water rivers, and head for the salt water. One of the reasons for this, was to allow them to flush there motors, after a day on the salt water. In my area, I have found more and more fishermen, are not heading for the Gulf, but in fact fishing for Bass. One of the neatest things I ever saw was in Crystal River Florida, when I looked into the water and saw a Bass about five lb. just below the Bass, were two salt water crabs, crawling under the fish.
Something you need to think about is a Florida License. If you are fishing for Bass (in tidal water area’s ) you could be also fishing in an area, that support Red fish or Snook. I asked about licenses and was told ,”if you have the capabilities of catching fresh water fish you need a fresh water license and if you have the capabilities of catching salt water fish you need a salt water license”. To me that is a fine line or as they say “you are walking on thin ice”. I guess to be safe you need both licenses, so use good judgment.
Places were I fish tidal waters the most, are, Crystal River, Homosassa River, Chassahowitzka River and the Weeki Wachee River. All these places require light line and long cast. “WHY ?” you ask.? Well the water is so clear, it is like fishing in a swimming pool. In many cases, fishermen learn how to fish different styles of baits due to the clarity of the water. If nothing else, you can learn a lot about lure presentation . Take this information to the cloudy waters of some of the hot lakes and you might clean house the next time you go fishing.
I use med-hvy weight rods, and strong reels, (one will never know what will bite). Berkeley makes a good rod for the job as well as Garcia reels. I use a Berkeley lightning rod and a Garcia 5600. Add Berkeley’s big game line and most of the fishing will become catching. I like using for top water, Zara Spooks Puppy, Rapala's or buzz baits. I also use and catch salt water and fresh water fish on spinner baits. For crank baits I like Cisco kid and Rat l traps. Bass Assassin puts out a line of baits that don’t care where they are. Most of their line will bring in a trophy while fishing either salt water or freshwater. Love’s lures also will do a great job for you in the tidal waters. Their are so many great lures, lines, rods and reels, I could talk about them forever. ( you know I am a fishing nut) When everything else fails use a product that you have confidence in.
Capt. Frank Bourgeois 352-666-6234 capfrank@atlantic.net or capfrank@hotmail.com
Captain Frank has some good ideas here. I have been where he is fishing, and I can tell you, the water is "drinking water clear". Try his tactics for both salt and freshwater fish in clear water!
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