5.0(5 Reviews)Full Day Homosassa Beach Redfish and Cobia Trip
5.0(5 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Sixhour private charter targeting redfish, cobia, trout, and snookTechnical fishing approaches using live bait and lures includedAccess to diverse grass flats and backcountry creeks
When you're serious about targeting Florida's most prized inshore species, this 6-hour private charter with Buccaneer West Coast Charters delivers the technical fishing experience you've been looking for. Captain Randy Cribbs brings decades of local knowledge to the grass flats and backcountry creeks around Homosassa Beach, where redfish, cobia, trout, and snook call home. This isn't a beginner's trip – it's designed for anglers who understand the difference between casting to structure and throwing lines in the water hoping for the best. You'll fish both live bait and artificial lures, timing your presentations with tidal movements and seasonal patterns that make the difference between a good day and a great one.
Your day starts early, meeting Captain Randy at the launch where you'll load up a well-equipped boat stocked with quality rods, reels, and tackle matched to the day's target species. The Homosassa area offers incredible diversity – one minute you're working shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in 18 inches of water, the next you're drifting deeper channels where cobia patrol looking for an easy meal. The beauty of this fishery lies in its variety and the technical approaches required to be successful. You'll learn to read water color changes, identify productive structure, and understand how tide and wind direction affect fish behavior. Captain Randy customizes each trip based on conditions and what's biting, but expect to cover serious water and fish multiple techniques throughout the day. This is hands-on fishing where you'll gain insights that make you a better angler long after the trip ends.
This charter focuses on the technical side of inshore fishing, using both live bait presentations and artificial lure techniques that produce consistent results. You'll work with live shrimp, pinfish, and scaled sardines when conditions call for natural presentations, especially around structure where big snook and redfish ambush prey. The artificial game involves everything from topwater plugs at first light to soft plastics worked through grass beds where trout hold tight. Captain Randy matches tackle to conditions – lighter spinning gear for finesse presentations in shallow water, heavier baitcasting setups when you need to turn fish away from structure. The grass flats require different approaches than the deeper backcountry creeks, and you'll learn to adjust your technique as conditions change throughout the day. All saltwater licenses and tackle are included, but bring your own gear if you have preferences. The focus stays on productive techniques that work in these specific waters, not just generic inshore methods.
"If you want a wonderful experience book with Cpt Randy. Nicest person and he really wants to pass on his decades of experience to the customer. He put us on top of Scallopmania. We've gone with others here in the area..... Well that changed today. If I can't book with the good captain, I'll wait for an opening..." - David. "On May 31, 2024 I chartered with BWCC for my wife's birthday. Here is my honest review you can depend on: Whether you are an experienced fisherman, a novice angler, or anywhere in between, you need look no further. Captain Randy Cribbs will not only provide you with an excellent fishing experience, but an overall fun & memorable day is guaranteed. His decades of experience in these waters is unmatched - and his love for nature, dedication to sharing that joy with others, and his human connection sets him apart. The cruise itself down the Chassahowitzka River was an additional unexpected pleasure. If you are looking for a fishing charter on the Chaz River and unsure which one to select, you can be confident with a decision to choose Buccaneer West Coast Charters." - Jay. "Excellent Captain with knowledge of the waters and the fishery." - Donald.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Homosassa's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 20-30 inches in these waters, with slot-sized fish providing steady action year-round. Spring and fall bring the best numbers, when reds move onto shallow flats to feed aggressively. They're ambush predators that cruise grass beds and oyster bars, making them perfect targets for sight fishing when conditions allow. What makes redfish so appealing is their willingness to eat both live bait and artificials, plus they fight hard without jumping – perfect for anglers who want consistent action with trophy potential.
Cobia represent the prize catch on any Homosassa charter, with fish ranging from 20-pound schoolies to 40-plus-pound bruisers that test your tackle and technique. These chocolate-colored sharks relatives are curious fish that often approach the boat, giving experienced anglers shots at sight fishing opportunities. Peak season runs from March through June, when cobia migrate through the area and stage around structure. They're notorious for following rays and sharks, so Captain Randy knows to watch for this behavior when searching productive water. Cobia eat big baits and fight harder than fish twice their size, making every hookup memorable.
Spotted seatrout provide consistent action throughout the year, with better fish showing up during cooler months when they school in deeper grass beds and channel edges. These 15-24-inch fish are perfect for light tackle presentations, responding well to soft plastics worked slowly through their preferred habitat. Trout are structure-oriented fish that hold tight to specific areas, making local knowledge crucial for consistent success. They're also excellent table fare, adding practical value to their sporting qualities.
Snook fishing in Homosassa focuses on the backcountry creeks and mangrove shorelines where these silver-sided fighters ambush prey from cover. These fish are highly seasonal, with the best action coming during warmer months when they're most active. Snook are notorious for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights, often jumping repeatedly once hooked. They're also structure-
You'll be fishing aboard our restored 24' Sea Ark flats boat, perfectly rigged for chasing redfish and cobia through Homosassa's shallow waters. This versatile craft draws just enough water to get you into those skinny grass flats where the big reds love to cruise, while her 150HP Yamaha has plenty of power to run the backcountry creeks at 35 knots when we need to relocate fast. Built in 2006 and completely refurbished in 2019, she's equipped with everything serious anglers need - GPS to mark productive spots, fish finder to locate structure and bait schools, plus an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold during the heat of the day. The spacious deck gives you room to work a fish properly, whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or battling a bull cobia that just crushed your live bait. She handles Florida's Gulf Coast conditions beautifully, from glassy morning flats to afternoon chop.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are premium targets that show up around Homosassa's deeper structure and channels. These brown, shark-looking fish average 20-40 pounds but can push 60 pounds or more. You'll typically find them around buoys, channel markers, and deeper grass edges in 15-40 feet of water. Spring through early summer is prime time when they move through during their spawning migration. What makes cobia special is their curiosity - they'll often follow the boat - and their incredible table quality with firm, white meat that rivals any fish. They're also powerful fighters that make long runs. The best approach is sight fishing with live bait or large jigs. When you see one, don't get excited and cast right at it. Instead, lead them and let your bait fall naturally into their path.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our Homosassa flats fishing. These copper-colored bruisers with their signature black spots typically range from 18-30 inches, with slot fish around 20-27 inches being prime targets. You'll find them cruising the grass flats in 1-4 feet of water, often so shallow their backs show above the surface. They feed year-round here, but spring and fall offer peak action when they're most active. What guests love about redfish is their willingness to eat and their bulldogging fight - they'll make powerful runs and use their broad sides to pull drag. They're also great eating within the slot limit. The secret to consistent success is watching for wakes, tails, and nervous water on calm days. When you spot a red, lead them by a few feet and let your bait sink naturally into their path.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are one of the most rewarding inshore targets around Homosassa. These sleek fish with their distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-28 inches, though bigger ones are always possible. You'll find them around mangrove shorelines, docks, and creek mouths where they ambush baitfish. They're temperature-sensitive, so spring through fall offers the best action when water temps stay above 70 degrees. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and make powerful runs that test your drag. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: cast your lure past the structure and work it back parallel to the cover rather than straight away from it. Snook often follow before striking.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder might not be the most common target in our Homosassa waters, but when they show up, they're worth pursuing. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches and are masters of camouflage, lying on sandy or muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Fall months from September through November offer the best shot at finding them as they move through our area. What makes flounder appealing is their excellent eating quality - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also a fun challenge since you're essentially fishing blind, feeling for that subtle tap on the bottom. The trick with flounder is using a slow, steady retrieve along the bottom with a bucktail jig tipped with shrimp or a strip of bait. Let it sit for a few seconds between hops.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate Florida game fish - silver kings that can reach 6-8 feet and over 100 pounds, though most we encounter run 30-60 pounds. Around Homosassa, you'll find them in deeper channels, around bridges, and rolling on the flats during warmer months from May through October. The spring migration brings the best opportunities when schools move through our waters. What draws anglers to tarpon isn't the meat - they're strictly catch and release - but the fight. These fish are pure athletes, capable of jumping 10 feet out of the water and making blistering runs. The key to landing one is keeping steady pressure without horsing them. Use circle hooks and when they jump, bow to the fish by pointing your rod tip at them to keep tension off the line during their aerial show.
5.0 out of 5.0If you want a wonderful experience book with Cpt Randy. Nicest person and he really wants to pass on his decades of experience to ...
A fishing experience second to none. Most experience charter captain in citrus county. 👍
On May 31, 2024 I chartered with BWCC for my wife's birthday. Here is my honest review you can depend on: Whether you are an exper...
Had a great trip with Captain Randy!
Excellent Captain with knowledge of the waters and the fishery.
Florida