The Tampa Bay Times
The third weekend of the red snapper derby just ended and many divers and fishermen again headed to the deeper water in pursuit of their weekend red snapper fix. The sportsmen who made it farther offshore found more snappers. The congregations of red snappers are not as easy to find as they were in June, when the season started for 2022. Red snappers are voracious eaters and if you can find masses of baitfish you are in the right spot for these fish. The cooler water has also moved more cobia into our area. The very big cobia are not here in full swing yet, but many legal size cobia are moving through the area. A couple over 50 pounders were speared this past weekend. Our divers found both of the bigger ones in water deeper than 130’. Freedivers who spear over deep wrecks and persuade fish to move up toward the surface to attack the chum bag, did very well. The underwater visibility is not very good until divers get to water deeper than 110’. In 60’ of water the underwater visibility was between 10’ and 15’. This low visibility is manageable for spearfishermen on scuba but it is hard for freedivers to see the fish, many feet below, and drop down on them for a good shot. Hogfish are on most of the reefs in good populations and they have been a staple fish on the stringers of many spearfishermen.
- Jay Mastry - March 26, 2024
- Captains Corner, Gorta - March 23, 2024
- Dave Zalewski - March 12, 2024
