Locally, we’re blessed with an amazing fishery and a natural world that supports it. As good as the fishing can be close by, every angler has an urge to experience someplace that’s unique, less crowded and rich in wildlife and fish.
If you’re thinking Cuba, the Bahamas, Belize or Argentina, you’d be right. You might also be surprised that such a destination exists less than two hours to our north. Aptly branded the “Nature Coast” by the chamber of commerce, this region is noted for its springs, rivers, wildlife preserves and manatees. Anchored in the south by the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, and to the north by Waccasassa Bay, the coast harbors the popular tourist destinations of Homosassa and Crystal River, but also miles of wild coastal habitat teaming with redfish, trout, snook and tarpon (seasonally).
At the beginning of March, Captain Rick Grassett and I joined our friend, Captain Bryon Chamberlin, for two days of exploring the extreme backwaters of Chassahowitzka Bay.
By extreme, I mean the kind of water I would never attempt to reach in my boat (if I could) and an area where you can fish all day and never see another boat nearby. That’s made possible with Chamberlin’s 17.5-foot Sabine – an all-aluminum flats boat that’s powered by a Gator Tail 40 HP outboard motor, giving him access to waters only inches deep. That’s a tall order in an area studded with limestone reefs, rock hard bottom and oyster beds.
When I inquired about a trip in the early winter, Chamberlin suggested a couple of days at the first of March when he targets large snook. His strategy is to mine the deep basins and pools that dot the refuge and provide sanctuary to fish on the low winter tides. While the fishing is definitely the focus of the trip, I always find myself exclaiming that the ride alone is worth the “price of admission!”
Chamberlin has been fishing the area for several decades and he’s also an avid photographer and naturalist, as well as an accomplished guide. The day’s main targets were reds, trout and snook, but pursuing them was blended with scenic rides through the rich habitat replete with bald eagles, hawks, river otters and manatees.
We departed each of our two morning trips from the Chassahowitzka River Campground, where Chamberlin launches his boat. The campground and ramp are located on the banks of the Chassahowitzka River that’s formed from numerous springs, giving access to the larger preserve.
We started the first day early enough to take advantage of the light for photographing the scenic river and its inhabitants, encountering eagles, kingfishers, herons and otter along the way. When the light was up, we motored into the far reaches of the preserve where only fools and knowledgeable guides fear to tread. We found the action a bit slow for the redfish and trout we expected, but the snook fishing, while not red hot, yielded the largest snook on the fly for both of us. Before noon, I hooked and landed a 34-inch snook and Grassett landed one a bit over 33 inches.
Our second day started at 5:30 a.m. so we could photograph the lunar eclipse and “blood moon” deep in the refuge at dawn. Chamberlin had scouted out a location where he could frame the setting moon with a faraway palm hammock. The ride in darkness down the sinuous river was only illuminated occasionally when the setting moon was eerily reflected on the water’s surface as our guide’s spotlight scanned the shoreline. After a 20-minute ride that would have been harrowing if not for our confidence in our guide, we landed at the chosen spot and set up tripods.
The experience was unique and picturesque in the predawn light; and after our photo session, we were treated to a ride through the twisting waterways that weave and embroider this “untouched” natural wonderland. While we waited for the tide to drop, we reveled in the photographic opportunities the area provided as we sought out the eagles, wading birds and other raptors that make this area home.
The fishing proved both challenging and productive as redfish and trout were again elusive. Chamberlin knows the area well and his local knowledge allowed him to bounce from spot to spot where we all managed to catch nice snook, a few trout, ladyfish and one redfish. True to form, our trip back to the ramp that afternoon was an exciting journey through twisting channels, sharp bends and narrow passages.
I highly recommend a trip (or trips) to this productive and breathtaking part of Florida that’s only a short trip to our north. The opportunities abound from Chassahowitzka to Cedar Key. A quick look at a map will confirm my recommendation!
Rusty Chinnis shared this video of their Chassahowitzka explorations.
