http://www.tampabay.com/sports/outdoors/Captain-s-Corner-Two-seasons-close-two-open-this-week_168626471
Thursday, greater amberjack and triggerfish seasons close, and Friday, gag grouper season opens for recreational and charter boat operators. Red snapper season opens for charter boat operators Friday and for recreational anglers June 11. Red snapper have been caught in waters as shallow as 40 feet this year, but a successful trip will usually require a run of close to 40 miles offshore. Red snapper are normally voracious feeders and will aggressively attack baits. Live baits are not always necessary, but once the bite has started, deploying a live pinfish will result in larger fish. The size limit is 16-inch total length, and the bag limit is two per person. Trolling between spots in deeper water is often overlooked but can result in strikes from many pelagic species. Deploy large lipped plugs, spoons or rigged ballyhoo, or a combination of these, and troll at a 6-knot speed. Because amberjack season is closed does not mean that they cannot be caught, photographed and released. Red grouper fishing has been slow but is improving daily in depths greater than 90 feet. Lane, yellowtail, vermilion and mango snapper have more than filled the gap for those willing to downsize tackle to 2/0 or 3/0 hooks and as light of a sinker that will get baits to the bottom.
Dave Zalewski charters the Lucky Too out of Madeira Beach. Call (727) 397-8815.
- Jay Mastry - March 26, 2024
- Captains Corner, Gorta - March 23, 2024
- Dave Zalewski - March 12, 2024
