The Tampa Bay Times
Our spearfishermen are still seeing red grouper that are keeper size hovering over and inside the pothole areas just past 80’ if water. The bigger ones are deeper and they are ranging strong past 120’ of water. The Middle Grounds are still producing nice size red groupers. The only issue has been to get the gag groupers that are in closed season to get out of the way. It’s almost like the not so smart red groupers have gotten wise and are hanging out behind the gags. The gags are everywhere! Of course, they must know that the divers aren’t targeting them because they behave like they are super safe and secure. Some keeper scamp groupers have been speared in depths exceeding 70’. The bigger ones are south of Tampa Bay and in water from 130’ to 175’. Hogfish are thinning out in depths under 100’, but if you find a spot that hasn’t been hit hard for hogfish, you might get lucky and find some hogs. Cobia are still being spotted but most of them have been spotted farther offshore and circling the wrecks and big structure. Seems like the cobia inside the mouth of Tampa Bay have moved out to deeper bottom. The water is warming up fast and generally means the fish are moving away from the coast and into deeper depths. Right behind the warm water comes some quick forming storms. We should see some of this weather pattern snap up in next few weeks. Be aware and vigilant on the radar, especially later in the day.
- Jay Mastry - March 26, 2024
- Captains Corner, Gorta - March 23, 2024
- Dave Zalewski - March 12, 2024
