Captain’s Corner: Bill Hardman

The Tampa Bay Times

Recently big sheepshead started showing up on the limestone ledges and artificial structure dive sites in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  These fish are heading out of the dark bay and backwater areas to join the sheepshead breeding movement in the Gulf.  January and February bring colder offshore water and promotes the western movement of sheepshead. They move out of their inshore haunts to offshore breeding areas.  For divers this is usually their best chance at getting a big sheepshead.  The usual better visibility on the offshore areas make it a little easier to spot and spear sheepshead.  The concentration of these bigger sheepshead also makes it a little easier to locate large groups of sheepshead. Mangrove snappers are also swimming in the areas that are holding the breeding sheepshead.  Both the sheepshead and the snappers are a little slower in the colder water of winter.  But be quick, the bigger fish of both species will be ready to dash out of a ledge and go right by you before the you can get off a shot.  Spearguns that are short will help you to get a shot off before the fish darts by you.  The longer spearguns used in summer months feel like boat oars when you try to turn them quickly to get a shot at these fleeing fish.  It is very exciting hunting because of the close-range action. Another bonus in January is that there are less hungry sharks around this time of year.

Capt. Bill Hardman teaches classes and runs trips for Scuba, Spearfishing, Technical & Freediving courses at Aquatic Obsessions, 6193 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL  33710.  You can reach Capt. Hardman at (727) 344-3483 (DIVE) or CaptainBillHardman@gmail.com