Advanced Half Day Fishing in Homosassa Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing targeting Cobia, Tarpon, and RedfishAdvanced trip designed for experienced anglers seeking challenging catchesCaptain Duane provides expert guidance in Homosassa waters
When you're ready to step up your game and target some serious fish, Captain Duane Tibbetts has the perfect setup waiting in Homosassa's legendary inshore waters. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – it's designed for anglers who know their way around a rod and want to put their skills to the test against some of the Gulf's most challenging species. Running from September through June when the action is hottest, you'll spend four focused hours working the flats, channels, and structure where big Cobia, Tarpon, and bull Redfish call home.
Captain Duane keeps things moving at a pace that matches your experience level. You'll cover productive water quickly, hitting multiple spots where these prized species hang out. The beauty of Homosassa's inshore fishery is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to cruising Cobia near the surface, the next you're working structure for heavyweight Redfish or watching for rolling Tarpon. With a maximum of two anglers per trip, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to work. The captain provides all the quality tackle you need, but feel free to bring your favorite rods if you've got preferences. This is your chance to really focus on technique and species-specific strategies without dealing with crowds or beginners who need constant guidance.
You'll be working with both live bait and artificial lures, switching tactics based on conditions and target species. Captain Duane knows when to break out the live pinfish for Cobia, when to throw topwater plugs for Tarpon, and how to present cut bait for those big bull Reds. The boat is rigged with proper tackle for each species – medium-heavy spinning gear for the Redfish and Sea Trout, heavier conventional setups when Tarpon or large Cobia show up. You'll learn local presentation techniques like working the grass flats edges, fishing the deeper channels during tide changes, and reading water for signs of feeding fish. The key here is versatility – conditions change quickly in these waters, and successful anglers adapt their approach throughout the trip.
Cobia are the crown jewel of this fishery, and Homosassa consistently produces some of Florida's best. These brown sharks of the inshore world cruise the shallows from March through June, often visible from long distances as they patrol alone or in small groups. They're incredibly smart fish that will test your presentation skills – get too close too fast and they'll vanish. But nail the approach with a live crab or pinfish, and you're in for a drag-screaming fight that combines power with surprising agility. Most fish here run 20-40 pounds, with occasional giants pushing 50-plus.
Redfish in these waters are built different – we're talking about bull Reds that have seen some years and put on serious weight. Fall through spring brings the best action as these copper-colored bruisers move through in schools or cruise solo along the grass edges. They're not always easy to fool, especially the big ones, but when you hook up it's pure power. These fish will test your drag and your patience as they make bulldozing runs toward structure. The satisfaction of landing a 30-inch Red on light tackle never gets old.
Tarpon fishing here is something special, particularly during the spring months when fish are moving through on their annual migration. These silver rockets range from juvenile fish in the 20-50 pound range up to true giants over 100 pounds. What makes Homosassa Tarpon fishing unique is the relatively shallow water – you can often see these fish coming from a distance, which adds a visual element that gets the adrenaline pumping. The jumps are spectacular, and even smaller Tarpon will give you a fight you won't forget.
Spanish Mackerel provide consistent action when the bigger fish are being finicky. These speed demons are perfect for keeping rods bent when you're between shots at trophy fish. They hit fast and fight hard for their size, making excellent light tackle targets. Sea Trout round out the mix as willing biters that show up throughout the cooler months. The bigger gator Trout here can surprise you with their size and fight, especially on lighter gear.
This top-rated Homosassa fishing experience fills up quickly with serious anglers who appreciate Captain Duane's no-nonsense approach and intimate knowledge of these waters. The September through June season gives you plenty of opportunities to target these world-class species, but the best dates book early. Whether you're looking to add a trophy Cobia to your list, test your skills against powerful Tarpon, or simply enjoy four hours of quality fishing with a captain who knows where to find them, this trip delivers the goods. Ready to see what Homosassa's legendary waters can offer? Your next personal best might be waiting.
Hit the flats aboard our reliable 24-foot Carolina Skiff, perfectly rigged for serious inshore action in Homosassa's shallow waters. This 2004 flats boat runs smooth with a 115HP Mercury engine, getting you to the fish fast and quiet. Built for up to 6 anglers but running with just 2 guests, you'll have plenty of room to work your gear and fight those hard-pulling Cobia and oversized Redfish. The GPS keeps us on productive spots while the fish finder marks targets below. Captain Duane knows these Gulf waters inside out, putting you on live bait opportunities where the big fish feed. This boat handles the skinny water like a dream, sliding over grass flats where trophy fish cruise. Perfect platform for sight casting and working lures in tight spots where larger boats can't reach.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are brown, shark-looking fish that grow big fast - most run 20-50 pounds with some reaching 80+ pounds. They're loners, not schoolers, hanging around structure like channel markers, wrecks, and crab traps in 15-60 feet of water. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're moving and feeding hard. What makes them special is their curious nature and bulldogging fight, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf - firm, white meat like mahi. They'll eat crabs, eels, and baitfish. Here's my trick: when you spot one cruising, get ahead of it and drop a live crab or bucktail jig right in its path. They're curious and will usually investigate anything that looks like food.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails. They average 18-27 inches but the big "bull" reds can push 40+ inches and 30 pounds. You'll find them tailing in 1-4 feet of water on grass flats, around oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines. They're year-round residents but really turn on during cooler months. What makes them special is their drag-peeling runs and that bronze flash when they turn. Plus, they're fantastic eating in the slot size range. These fish will eat almost anything - live shrimp, cut bait, or artificials. My go-to trick: look for nervous bait or muddy water where they're rooting around. A weedless gold spoon worked slowly often seals the deal.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks," are popular inshore targets averaging 12-18 inches and 1-3 pounds. Look for their silver sides with black spots and that distinctive speckled pattern. They love grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow bay areas in 2-8 feet of water. Cool weather fishing from fall through spring is prime time when they school up. Anglers enjoy their scrappy fight and excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat. They're active feeders on shrimp, mullet, and small baitfish. Best tip: fish the grass edges at dawn and dusk with live shrimp under a popping cork. Work it slow with gentle pops - specks prefer subtle presentations over aggressive retrieves.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that run 1-3 pounds on average, though some reach 8-10 pounds. You'll spot their silvery sides with yellow spots as they cruise in schools near the surface. They love structure - reefs, wrecks, and channel edges in 10-40 feet of water. Best fishing runs spring through fall when they're feeding heavily on baitfish. What makes them fun is their speed and willingness to hit lures hard. They're also excellent eating - firm, white meat that grills perfectly. My tip: when you find a school, work fast with small spoons or jigs. They spook easily, so stay quiet and make long casts. Once they're gone, they're usually gone for the day.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the kings of our waters - silver giants that can reach 100-200 pounds and jump 10 feet when hooked. They cruise shallow flats, channels, and around structure in 3-20 feet of water. Peak season here runs April through July when they migrate through. What draws anglers is their raw power and acrobatics - nothing fights like a tarpon. They're catch-and-release only since the meat isn't great, but landing one is a lifetime memory. Most run 80-150 pounds in our area. My advice: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them. It keeps tension off the line and prevents them from throwing the hook. Patience and strong drag are essential.
Homosassa