http://www.tampabay.com/sports/outdoors/captains-corner-plan-some-early-morning-trips-as-water-warms/2329346
Typical summertime patterns have taken control in our offshore waters the past few weeks. The best bite has been in the mornings and will last until around noon, after which things will slow down a bit until about an hour or two before sunset. We have bumped up our departure times on our charters to take advantage of these early morning bites and fish very aggressively when we arrive at our area. The main reason is water temperatures — 86- to 87-degree water is not ideal for the grouper species as they generally prefer cooler water. Take time early or the day before to secure a well full of fresh live bait such as pinfish, pigfish and squirrelfish. These can be targeted everywhere from the flats to a few miles offshore. Bait traps, cast nets or sabiki rigs will get the job done. Summer is a great time to introduce trolling offshore into your arsenal. Mahi and blackfin tuna have been feeding in most depths west of 180 feet. Targeting wrecks and springs is good, but a quick look at a few websites will assist in finding areas with temperature breaks, which is exactly where these fish will congregate. Last month while using this tactic we noticed a 3- to 4-degree difference to the west in just a 3-mile area.
Steve Papen charters out of Indian Shores and can be reached at (727) 642-3411 and fintasticinc.com.
- Jay Mastry - March 26, 2024
- Captains Corner, Gorta - March 23, 2024
- Dave Zalewski - March 12, 2024
