The Tampa Bay Times
The offshore water temperatures are still warm enough to make diving with a wetsuit a comfortable experience. Mixed bottom temperatures range from 65 to 70 degrees west of Saint Petersburg and in depths from 100’ to 20’ of water. Water temperatures in this range are optimum for finding good concentrations of gag groupers, mangrove snappers, hogfish and jolthead porgies. Sheepshead have moved offshore in greater numbers and next month the big ones should be roaming over the ledges and small artificial structures in 20’ to 30’ of water. Sheepshead are in Tampa Bay and it only takes a few hours to secure the daily limit. The farther offshore our spearfishermen went the clearer the water visibility became. Gag groupers are still on most active ledges and structures. Visibility was about 15’ horizontally in 45’ and about 25’ in 100’ of water. Cobia are still hanging over structure in the Gulf of Mexico. This time of year, cobia will show themselves swimming low on limestone ledges, so be ready. Most divers expect that they may see cobia on wrecks and big structures, but when a big cobia swims right by you on a limestone reef, it will catch you by surprise. Using a line on your speargun will be valuable if a cobia shows up. For those who don’t normally use a line, the ability to quickly switch to a line for unexpected cobia is important. Your time spent practicing switching to a line will be well worth your time.
- Jay Mastry - March 26, 2024
- Captains Corner, Gorta - March 23, 2024
- Dave Zalewski - March 12, 2024
