http://www.tampabay.com/sports/outdoors/captains-corner-what-a-strange-summer-of-fishing-it-has-been/2328810
This is turning into a strange fishing summer. Barracuda, which normally arrive in numbers and reside on most of the artificial reefs and wrecks in mid May, have been noticeably absent. Mackerel are also spotty. Perhaps the lack of prey has kept barracuda away. Normally we like to spend part of our trips trolling and part bottom fishing. We start trolling on our way to offshore ledges and hard-bottom areas to target benthic species. Grouper fishing in the 80- to 100-foot depths has been spotty, but snapper fishing has been excellent. Lane snapper have taken over in areas targeted for red grouper this time of year. Joining the Lanes are yellowtail and vermillion snapper along with white grunts, often called gray snapper in our area. The key to catching them is downsizing tackle to 12- to 15-pound class or lighter if comfortable. Freshwater bass tackle is ideal. 1/0 or 2/0 hooks with chunks of squid or sardine can be fished in three ways: a “knocker” rig can be used where a sliding egg sinker is allowed to rest against the hook; a 2 hook snapper rig with a dipsey sinker underneath; or a conventional gulf rig with a sinker either swivel or sliding above a 2-foot leader. We’re leaning toward the knocker rig for mangrove snapper and the 2-hook rig for Lanes and vermillions.
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
