If weather allows, grouper and amberjack are biting
Gulf waters remain a tad on the cool side with temps hovering right around the 60-degree mark. Anglers fishing inside of the 50-foot mark may find a few fish willing to chew but for the most part they can expect the bite to be slow.On a recent trip, captain Matt McDuffee and crew made a few drops in the 45- to 60-foot range with little luck. He then ran to a spot almost due south of the Whistler Buoy in 70 feet of water and there they found a hot gag bite. Along with a limit of gags they also managed some nice mangrove snapper and a few other bottom dwellers.
One fish that doesn’t seemed to be bothered by the cool Gulf waters is amberjack. The bite around some of the deeper wrecks and springs has been real good. Of course live bait is preferred; however if live bait is unavailable, jigs, when worked properly, will often produce just as well.
Most of the time the jacks will be found holding right over the structure but at times will move off just a bit. Don’t start making drops until you have located the school.
If they’re not holding right over the structure, spin circles around the structure until you locate the school. Mark the depth they are holding at and try to time your drops. Counting down the time you drop your baits down is much more effective that just dropping them down to any depth.
1995 - 2009 Mel-Fin Corp. All rights reserved.