A stronger-than-normal east to southeast wind in the past couple of days has made running deep tough. Hitting numerous spots inside the 80-foot mark produced a mixed bag of grunts, porgy, snapper and sea bass, but not much in the way of keeper grouper. Mangrove snapper have been holding over ledges in 50 to 80 feet mainly south of the Egmont Channel. Fish only the ledges that have a show of fish holding above the front edge. Use 2- to 3-inch live white bait on light tackle for best results. If you can't find white bait, try small pinfish with the dorsal fins clipped off.

If you have to have grouper you're going to have to run deep. The red grouper bite in 120 to 160 feet is by far your best bet. If it's gag grouper you want, head north off Tarpon Springs. Fish ledges, rock piles and wrecks in 100-plus feet of water. Live bait is a must.

Don't forget to flatline live baits while grouper fishing. Keeping a live bait behind the boat has produced dolphin, tuna and a few kingfish in the past few weeks. Hang a bag of chum off the rear of the boat, then flatline live baits in the chum slick. If the current or wind isn't strong enough to keep your baits near the surface and away from the boat, you will need to add a small float. After putting out the flatlines just put the rods in a holder and forget about them until they start to sing to you.

-- Randy Rochelle runs Islander Charters in St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 528-1213 or by e-mail at Islandercharters@ij.net.

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