Ocala and Marion County Area Fishing Report Jan. 26, 2022
1. Yankeetown/Waccassa: No update.
2. Crystal River/Homosassa: Capt. William Toney writes that if you want to catch some fish, it is best to hit the spring-fed rivers. It took long enough, but the Big Bend is experiencing some real winter weather. Live shrimp is the best bait for bottom fishing for black drum, redfish or sheepshead. With the cold Gulf waters, call ahead to your local bait house for live shrimp. Shrimp will bury up, and shrimpers catch could be down, so plan ahead to get them. Using artificial baits can get you into some fast action with snook, jacks and ladyfish at the head waters of the rivers. Further west towards the Gulf, Toney said he had some excellent trout action using MirrOlure LiL' Johns and MirrOlure MirrOdines working the baits very slowly near the bottom of deep holes or channel ledges. He said he likes the outgoing tide while fishing the rivers because it pulls the warm spring-fed waters though the channels creating warm spots for fish to gather. Incoming high tide will be in the morning this weekend if the wind allows it.
Last week: Ocala and Marion County Area Fishing Report Jan. 19, 2022
3. Withlacoochee: No update.
4. Orange Lake/Lochloosa: Visit lochloosaharbor.com for updates.
5. Ocklawaha River: Liz at Fat Daddy’s reports that cooler waters are bringing in more specks, and fishermen have been using minnows and jigs to catch them. Those looking to catch bass have been using mostly shiners.
6. Salt Springs: According to Liz at Fat Daddy’s, anglers have been out often looking for specks. The baits of choice generally have been minnows and jigs. Some bass are being caught with shiners, too.
7. Forest Lakes: Most anglers have been seeking specks of late, says Liz at Fat Daddy's. They have been around more as the water has begun to cool. Minnows and jigs have been the baits of choice. Some have been fishing for bass, using mostly shiners as bait.
8. Lake Weir: Liz at Fat Daddy’s reports that specks have been biting of late with minnows and jigs being the baits used most often. Some anglers have been fishing for bass, and the primary bait of choice has been shiners.
9. Harris Chain: According to BassOnline.com, bass often can be found here in the open water. The canals have them at times, too. Many catches often weigh in between nine and 11 pounds. Specks also have been found here since the weather cooled the water.
10. Panasoffkee/Tsala: No update.
11. Astor Park: No update.
12. Ponce Inlet: According to floridasightfishing.com, redfish have been biting all over Ponce Inlet and New Smyrna Beach. Most big bull redfish have come in upwards of 20 pounds with some coming in as big as 40 pounds. A lot of snook also have been caught in New Smyrna Beach and Ponce Inlet with most using live bait but some using soft plastics. Generally, the snook have been between 26 and 34 inches. Several tarpon in the 50-75 pound range have been caught in New Smyrna Beach, as well. Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River Lagoon have good water clarity for sight casting. Redfish, black drum, speckled trout, snook, juvenile tarpon — all have been more active around different ends of the cold fronts. That’s the way it’ll play out until April as anglers adapt where they fish and what they target around the passing cold fronts.
Tip of the week: According to floridashorefishing.com, five useful tips for winter time fishing: slow down your presentation (move your bait or lure slower than usual), stay patient, find areas with warmer water, seek out deeper water and start later in the day (fish become more active when the sun warms the water).
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala and Marion County Area Fishing Report Jan. 26, 2022
