[skinny_fishing]

Was talking to a guy recently about fishing locally (St.Pete) and he told me he had started going to Homosassa instead because the fishing (especially fly fishing) was much better, and that he hadn't fished here for awhile since he started going. But then came the topic of navigating the area which is much more difficult, he ended up spending over $3k on a Simrad and FMT and said it was a huge help trying to navigate around there. He didn't get into specific spots but mentioned Oyster Creek and Porpoise Bay as good starting points for exploring around and finding fish.

I was wondering if I'd be able to navigate the area without spending a ton of money on a chart plotter and FMT. Like are there any good phone apps I could use and just take things really slow? Or maybe get an older chart plotter used for cheap? If so which ones are dependable? My skiff is a cheap Rabco so i'm not worried about hitting rocks or oyster beds or anything and messing up the hull it's already beat up. I figured if we take our time we should be ok for the most part, but I could be horribly wrong lol. Would appreciate any input on this, part of us wanting to go is the adventure of a new place to explore but I want to be as prepared as possible so i know what to expect.

 

[Smackdaddy53]

That’s the last place I’d want to run and not know it like the back of my hand. I fished over there with @JC Designs a few years ago and met the local limestone.

 

[Nolefishing]

Say goodbye to your lower unit without knowing the area

 

[Fairweather]

Fond memories of the area. Fished it with my Granddad 60 years ago when I was just a little lad. He's the one who gave me the passion for fishing. When he passed, I ended up with his Elgin 3.6 hp two stroke outboard he put on a wooden flat bottomed boat. It wasn't much but we sure did catch fish! One day I need to hang that motor on some heavy wooden boat and listen to it putt along at 5 mph. If you can learn the area, I think it would be worth it. I never returned as an adult. I fish the panhandle now.

 

[JC Designs]

Ain’t no fish in Homosassa, only rock piles!😉

 

[JC Designs]

Ok, all kidding aside… FMT and good insurance are a must for my back yard! I hate FMT for a reason, the reason is… it’s pretty damn accurate and allows “out of town’ers” access to my stomping grounds! Go ahead and buy N and S since in other posts you’ve mentioned fishing different areas but it will be money well spent if you come here!!! Just think of it as a new rod & it may not sting as bad.

 

[JC Designs]

Oh, and you AIN’t gettin’ to oyster creek, rose creek, porpoise bay, seven cabbage, or anywhere else that way without it or someone that KNOWS where the hell they are going without fmt or in a kayak!!! Likely won’t make it a half mile from the ramp to be honest!

 

[flysalt060]

To point out treacherous it is, someone who has fished there for 40 plus years, following a friend and famous poon guide, going where he went for 40 years, ruined a prop. Maritteamike has had it happen. Damn limestone moves during the night just a couple of inches.

 

[JC Designs]

To point out treacherous it is, someone who has fished there for 40 plus years, following a friend and famous poon guide, going where he went for 40 years, ruined a prop. Maritteamike has had it happen. Damn limestone moves during the night just a couple of inches.

I am doing an “emergency” repair for a local guide tomorrow morning that hit a piece of rebar on his way in today! Yep, REBAR! He need the boat to fish Friday so before I feast, I fix!😉 This guide probably knows these particular waters better than any still alive today if that tells ya anything!

 

[Drifter]

Well last time I was there I hit the ground three times and never went faster than an idle. But I did get to chase some reds

 

[flytyn]

Get FMT and go slow.

 

[afernandez]

Even with FMT the area is extremely treacherous. FMT gets you to a general area but once you are off track (poling/trolling) by a mile or more with no sun to see dark patches on the way back to a track, pucker factor 1000. Even with sun there can be single rocks that will ruin your day. Every so often an experienced angler in the area hits a rock which is thereafter named after them……

 

[JC Designs]

Even with FMT the area is extremely treacherous. FMT gets you to a general area but once you are off track (poling/trolling) by a mile or more with no sun to see dark patches on the way back to a track, pucker factor 1000. Even with sun there can be single rocks that will ruin your day. Every so often an experienced angler in the area hits a rock which is thereafter named after them……

Hell, I just realized… I’ve been fishing these waters for 40 years myself! And I still get in my fair share of trouble too!

 

[skinny_fishing]

I'd like to give it a shot to try something different, probably gonna wait till next summer tho. I'll start looking into an FMT setup....Where do I get the actual FMT card from?

Also what's this insurance you speak of lol, what kind of coverage should I be having

 

[JC Designs]

I'd like to give it a shot to try something different, probably gonna wait till next summer tho. I'll start looking into an FMT setup....Where do I get the actual FMT card from?

Also what's this insurance you speak of lol, what kind of coverage should I be having

You will want a policy that covers engine damage in the event of an accident. Including but not limited to powerhead damage from the sudden stop of a flyweight’ed rotating assembly that has parts that may just want to stay in motion during said stop and create their own windows to peak out of!

 

[m32825]

Guys, hold on.... the title of the thread is "Tell Me About Navigating Homosassa" not "Talk Me Out Of Navigating Homosassa".


🍿

 

[JC Designs]

Guys, hold on.... the title of the thread is "Tell Me About Navigating Homosassa" not "Talk Me Out Of Navigating Homosassa".


🍿

You say that like there’s a difference?🤣

 

[Dwade24]

I started a thread on getting the chip and if it was worth it or not on my Simrad. I didn’t end up buying it, just because I’m more of a traditionalist when it comes to that kinda stuff and would’ve been a non factor on my unit. But my first time over there was about a month ago and I launched out of ozello. Everything you hear about rocks and what’s been posted already on this thread is 100% accurate. Even with the chip I’d crawl around that area. I don’t believe I got on plane but a few times. Even idling around I had my buddy stand on the bow just to be safe because it changes that quickly. Hats off to you boys that run through their WOT 😂. I’d rather bring my boat back in one piece

 

[Naturecoastfly]

I grew up fishing Homosassa and still return several times per year both DIY for trout and reds and guided trips for tarpon. Even with all the runs I learned as a kid and FMT I still managed to get some nice oyster rash on my new Vantage this summer. Fishing can be very challenging especially when the water is clear. When the water is murky the fish may bite better but it’s much more difficult to navigate so a little bit of a catch 22. Like everything else these days it’s getting over crowded but still a beautiful place. Like everyone else said just go slow once outside the channels.

 

[DuckNut]

I can't say for sure but I do believe people were fishing that area before the invention of Simrad.

I don't think I am wrong because I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night.