Fly Fishing the Crystal, Homosassa, and Chassahowitzka Rivers A Day On The Flats Of Homosassa: Vast schools of silvery tarpon begin to arrive in May and are present until July. Some fish stay all year. Few fish take a fly as readily as a tarpon and it is a rare (or very big) fish that doesn't jump. A short story by Captain Edward Johnston to whet your appetite for serious outdoor sport. Best Times To Fish: Homosassa is a world class fishery and the undisputed tarpon capital of the world. Five world record tarpon have been caught here and the 12 and 16 pound class tarpon records are still held here. For sheer numbers of fish you can't beat Boca Grande, Florida. The Florida Keys have many more miles of fruitful tarpon waters, but the Homosassa area consistently produces larger fish. This past year has been the best fishery we have seen in years. Many of the top guides believe that the fishing will keep getting even better. We have listed a few of the guides below. Contact them directly and make your own arrangements. Captain Steve Kilpatrick If the sound of sight fishing for Giant Tarpon starts your adrenaline flowing; Captain Steve Kilpatrick invites you to fish for these magnificent game fish in the clear shallow back country flats of Florida’s Central Gulf Coast. Call Captain Steve Kilpatrick’s Back Country Guide Service for details on charter dates, fishing seasons and lodging for the ultimate fishing experience. Capt. Mike "Hammer" Locklear is a third generation fishing guide who has been taking clients fishing on the beautiful Homosassa flats and river for over 20 years. All year long many types of fish are sought after with a healthy fishery of speckled trout and redfish. Migratory fish such as Spanish mackerel and bluefish sweeten the pot during the Spring and Fall. Rock piles full of gag grouper, grunts and seabass dot the gulf's bottom providing fun for all ages. However, tarpon is king during the months of May and June! Capt. John Bazo is in his eighth official season, but has been fishing in the Homosassa area since he was old enough to hold a pole! Capt. John Bazo specialize's in fly fishing and instruction, as well as light spinning tackle, so if you've always wanted to master fly fishing, the ultimate angling challenge, Capt. John Bazo can show you the way! Capt. Rick Lefiles offers a great experience for the light tackle angler using fly or conventional equipment. Fish the flats from an eighteen foot Dolphin Backcountry flats boat or take a scenic pontoon Eco -Tour down the beautiful Withlacoochee River to it's mouth at the Gulf of Mexico. Current Fishing Report: The flats of West Central Florida- Crystal River, Chassahowitzka, Homosassa, and Weeki-Wache are the places where angling dreams come true. Armed with a light rod, you'll come head-to-head with the ultimate shallow-water quarry. Are you up to the challenge? . About Us | Travel | Flyshop | Home | Contact Leisure Time Travel Inc. 531 N. Citrus Ave. Crystal River, Florida 34428 352-795-FISH (3474) 1-800-771-2202 E-Mail: travel2008@leisuretimetravel.com © 1996-2007 Leisure Time Travel, Inc. - photos Edward Russell Johnston Revised September 2007- html by Edward Russell Johnston