The Tampa Bay Times
The heat of early July has warmed up the off-shore waters and many targeted fish are moving into deeper water in search of cooler temperatures. The deeper depths not only have more fish, but the underwater visibility is better as you move farther from the shore. The regular evening rain pattern and the subsequent land runoff has reduced the offshore water visibility. Our spearfishermen and women have found about 15’ to 25’ of vertical underwater visibility in depths of 50’ to 60”. The visibility is easily twice that distance in water over 100’. Red Snappers are still very prevalent in depths beyond 100’. Red Snappers and pelagic fish are curious. They will surge off the bottom toward the boat if some chum or flashers are dropped into the water. Freedive spearfishers use flashers to lure curious fish like red snappers, african pompano and jacks toward the flashers. Fishermen and scuba divers can both use flashers to bring these fish closer to the fisherman or diver. You can make your own flashers by tying old CDs or blank CDs to a weighted line. Fishermen hang them over the boat and jerk them up and down. If the seas are bumpy, the waves action moves the flashers. Divers can hang them from a float or if the apparatus is set up to barely sink, they toss them in front of them and shoot the fish that are attracted to the slowly sinking flasher.
- Jay Mastry - March 26, 2024
- Captains Corner, Gorta - March 23, 2024
- Dave Zalewski - March 12, 2024
