The Tampa Bay Times
Spearfishing divers are enjoying one of the most anticipated times of the year. The gag grouper season opened this past Wednesday and opening day of gag season is always a special day for Gulf of Mexico divers. The weather was good enough that as many of the divers who could get out of work, made it offshore to hunt for gag groupers on opening day. The conditions over the past week have been good for hunting gag groupers. In depths just over 60’ the underwater visibility was almost top to bottom and the gag groupers were found in good concentrations on most of the limestone ledges and potholes that also harbored bait. Today and over the next few days of good weather is a good opportunity to get yourself offshore and hunt for the tasty gag groupers. Also found on the same gag grouper areas, divers have been finding good amounts of hogfish and mangrove snappers. As the water temperatures continue to rise the gags will slowly move to deeper water in search of cooler bottom water temperatures and food. Cobia are still being speared off the wrecks and heavy artificial structures. Most divers are always looking up in the water column for cobia and other pelagic fish, but don’t forget to look closely for cobia on the bottom. Some of the cobia speared over the past few weeks, by our divers have been spotted laying on the bottom and up against the wrecks.
- Jay Mastry - March 26, 2024
- Captains Corner, Gorta - March 23, 2024
- Dave Zalewski - March 12, 2024
