Hooked on Reds - Charter and Guide Service
Steinhatchee -- The Nature Coast's Ultimate Fishing Charter & Guide Experience
Hooked on Reds -- Fishing Charters
We specialize in near shore light tackle fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the Steinhatchee River. Our fishing boats are moored at the Sea Hag Marina in Steinhatchee, Florida. Individual outings with a single boat and captain as well as group outings with multiple boats and captains are easily arranged.
The target species in our area include : redfish, speckled trout, Spanish mackerel and Cobia. In addition to these species we often catch flounder, bluefish, sand trout, croaker, grouper and black bass . One group in May of 2009 landed 23 different species in a single outing. Testimony to the quality and diversity of the local fisheries.
Hooked on Reds -- Scalloping Charters
While we fish year round, from July through mid September donning snorkel gear and searching the grassy flats of the Gulf for Bay Scallops has been the pastime and passion of many generations on the Nature Coast . Regardless of your status as a seasoned or novice scalloper we are here to help our clients and their families get in on the action. Scallop season is the busiest time of the year in Steinhatchee and the best accommodations and charters fill up quickly. Booking your trip three to four months in advance is suggested. The scallop season of 2010 was very good again. You can bet that folks will be chasing those tasty mollusks in force in 2011. Book your trip early and don't be disappointed.
The Captain
An avid outdoorsman, Randall Hewitt has been offering guided fishing trips for 20 years. He maintains a USCG Captains license that affirms his commitment to your safety while on the water. His knowledge of the local waters in and around Horseshoe Beach, Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach insures that each trip is optimized for the time of year, abundance of target species, wind, tide and current. The father of three great kids, he has learned to be patient and offers this virtue to first timers and novices alike while he guides on board. To meet the needs of the experienced angler, he willingly shares his knowledge and the techniques that have served him and the guides of the Nature Coast very well over the years.
If you have been waiting for that famous Steinhatchee bite to take shape, wait no more! Our inshore charter action has been red hot and those elusive redfish are now biting too. In all my years fishing, I doubt I have had two days, back to back, where we hooked more reds and trout. Solid limits of keeper trout and hundreds of near keeper fish are making their way to the boat and the new redfish limits are making things very interesting on the Nature Coast right now. When it comes to trout we typically test the water column by tight lining with 3/8 oz TBS black nickel jig heads with an 18" fluorocarbon leader and Cajun rigs equipped with 1/4 ounce jigs heads. To fish the shallow tides over the grass beds, a leader as short as 18" can be the prescription with a Cajun rig as well.
Reds have been another story; bring a buffet and try different techniques. From day to day their preferences seem to change and you'll be standing on the dock fishless if you’re not willing to move around and stick with the same bait all day when it’s not working. The Sea Hag's Ship’s Store has all the ingredients for your buffet. Just ask what’s been working the best, buy some and hang on.
I had suggested last month that the unseasonably warm weather might well set things in motion 4 to 6 weeks ahead of schedule, and I was right for a change! We have landed five cobia fishing the flats already which has been a "reel" treat. Spanish mackerel are also making their way to the boat as are some large bluefish (one of the toughest fights on the flats, especially on our light tackle).
A special thanks to everyone who has joined Hooked On Reds Charters in April; we look forward to your return. We have a handful of weekend dates available. In case you’re wondering, the word is out, so call now before we are completely "sold out". Try to enjoy the photos as much as the folks in the picture did ( I doubt you will, but try just for your own sake). Better yet, pick up the phone and give us a call and let’s see how big your smile gets!
--- Captain Randall Hewitt
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Content copyright . Greg Swindell. All rights reserved.
