The Tampa Bay Times
As usual in late winter, the offshore seafloor water temperatures are very cold. Currently our offshore water is cold, but that can be an advantage rather than a curse for divers. The colder water makes it a little easier to sneak up on fish. And when you do spot a fish to spear in colder water, the fish tend to move away slower than in warmer times. This time of year, the hogfish are still very prevalent on the bottom structures in the Gulf of Mexico. As with most fish, the colder water makes it a little easier to identify a worthy hogfish and make a good shot before it gets away. Sheepshead are still populating the limestone ledges just offshore in 10’ to 30’ of water. Some of the bigger sheepshead weigh-in just over five to six pounds. Florida spiny lobster season is still open until the end of March and they move slower in cold water too. Lobsters aren’t as numerous in the eastern Gulf of Mexico as they are in south Florida, but when you run across one, the odds are with you that it is a nice size one. The depth of the water does not dictate the size of the lobster. We have harvested big lobsters in 30’ of water as well in 200’. The trick is to have a bright underwater light and to use it often to see if the lobsters are holding up way back in the darkness of ledges and reefs.
- Jay Mastry - March 26, 2024
- Captains Corner, Gorta - March 23, 2024
- Dave Zalewski - March 12, 2024
