http://www.tampabay.com/sports/outdoors/Captain-s-Corner-Take-advantage-of-this-week-s-favorable-weather_166669046
Gusty winds and small craft advisories much of this past week hampered most of the offshore fishing. With lighter winds and warmer temperatures forecast, this might be the week to get out and take advantage. Water temperatures are cooler than we like, but when we have safely and comfortably gotten out, bottom fishing has been productive in 45 feet, 10 miles west of Pass-a-Grille. On our last trip we caught hogfish, triggerfish, mangrove snapper, grouper, grunts and sheepshead. Many of the couple of dozen “sheepies” were the extra-large, roe laden females that had settled in for their spawning ritual. Some of the hogs were caught on braid with 20-pound fluorocarbon leader and a knocker rig. Others were caught on mono and our standard snapper rig: a 2-ounce egg sinker, 1½-foot length of floro and a 1-ought hook. All were caught on shrimp or fiddler crabs. As the seas calm and the water warms, kingfish activity should pick up. It will take time for nearshore waters to clear and draw bait and kings back in. Offshore, often following these big blows Markers 1 and 2 in the ships channel have been a productive area. It’s the last set before the “Whistler.” The deeper water stays cleaner, and the area tends to hold bait more consistently.
Jay Mastry charters Jaybird out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 321-2142.
- Jay Mastry - March 26, 2024
- Captains Corner, Gorta - March 23, 2024
- Dave Zalewski - March 12, 2024
