Fly Fishing the Homosassa River for Giant Tarpon

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.

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! Just give him a call at (352)895-7811

Capt. Dan Clymer provides Full Or Half Day Inshore And Offshore Fishing Charters In The Crystal River And Homosassa Areas. The boat you will be taken out on is a Proline 24 Bay that he had specially built for his chartering business. It can be driven in as little as 12 inches of water to get to those hard to reach spots. It is powered by a Mercury OptiMax Salt Water 225hp engine that will get you to the fish in a hurry. It can seat five people including himself.

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. 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.

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. Jim Long is a third generation native guide of Homosassa. Jim is a member of the Homosassa Guide Association and the Florida Guides Association. He grew up fishing the local Florida waters and started guiding full time in 1989. Capt Jim also is a Nuisance Alligator Control Agent for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission, which allows him to take clients on Alligator hunts.

Capt. Kyle Messier offers fishing charters in a customized 21 ft. Carolina skiff for novice anglers, experienced anglers, women and children though out the Homosassa and Crystal River areas. All are welcomed and encouraged. Stalking redfish, trout and cobia are his specialties.

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?