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Beach-bred snapper
By MIKE SCARANTINO Imagine catching keeper-size American red snapper within a mile or so of the beach. Just about any boat will do considering how fast the bottom drops off along the Emerald coast. "You can be clear to the Desoto Canyon in about 50 or so miles," said captain Mike Beaubien, our guide for the day. "However, a larger vessel is more comfortable to fish from, especially on the nastier days when the wind blows easterly or from the northeast," he said. With wind from the east, the fishing is the least, the adage says. The day my sons and I fished the Panhandle, the breeze was from the east northeast. Swells along the beach were running 3-5 feet and more, and the horizon looked like a small mountain range. We were destined to stay close to the beach, even though we were riding in a 31-foot center console boat powered by twin 250 horsepower motors. Beaubien is conservative when it comes to safety on charter. He's much more aggressive when fishing the Southern Kingfish Association Tournament trail. "When there is money and competition on the line, we take a few more chances than when we're on charter," Beaubien said. "Today is no day to be beating it offshore." First mate G.N. "Jerry" Wade concurred. "I don't like days like today," Wade said. "This weather always makes fishing tougher." Any good skipper has Plan B in mind just for days like we were experiencing. "We'll just run along the beach and fish tall coral heads with sea fans and sponges on them," Beaubien said. My sons, Michael and Anthony, had that gee wiz we want to catch big fish look, but what the captain says is what goes. Just as he said he would, Beaubien found his spot after a short 30-minute run. Both bottom machines were showing all kinds of fish over the structure. Experienced deep-water captains know that a backup bottom machine is a big advantage. Some prefer having a color bottom machine alongside a paper recording system. Beaubien uses two machines with different sensitivity levels. "I can be reasonably sure of what I'm seeing when the same things show up on both machines," he said. Beaubien is a lifelong angler who has spent 14 years in the Panhandle fishing trade. He's accomplished at finding catches during awkward tides and weather. "When the conditions are tough, we lighten up, stay shallow and work the snappers, triggerfish, amberjack, mackerels and grouper," Beaubien said. All these species are feisty, especially when captured on light casting tackle. Our rigs would be used to fish for snook, redfish and trout in the Nature Coast. As captain and mate prepared to set anchor, out came the marker buoy. Beaubien gave the drop order as we drifted above a large coral head. The next thing over the side of the vessel was a chum bomb. Inside it was a mixture of ground fish, fish oil and rocks. The mix was covered with a brown paper bag and bound with rubber bands. "This should get them eating," Wade said. "By the time the bag hits bottom, it will dissolve and start bringing in fish. It's kind of like hors d'oeuvres before we feed them the live baits." The chum bomb was one of three methods used that day. We had a traditional chum block hung from the stern, and in case any of the mackerel clan were lurking, an IV drip bag filled with oil was deployed on the port side. The bag had an immediate effect, as a large slick formed aft of the boat. Wade baited our rods as the chum began to work on the fish. For this type of angling, light casting tackle with 12-pound test line is preferred. Small No.1 gold hooks were the captain's choice. Light weights got the baits to the bottom. In the bait well were cigar minnows, blue runners and small pinfish. We had frozen baits onboard. The opening moments were anxious. Anthony hit the first fish. Michael was next, then we missed a few. "Snapper and triggerfish are notorious bait stealers," Beaubien said. "You have got to be fast on the hook set." The rods had slow, limber tips, but once hooked up to a fish, they performed well. As the trip wound down, a few choice fish were in the box. The group had a marvelous time learning to fish beach-bred snapper Panhandle style. -- If you have a question or comment, call Capt. Mike Scarantino, (352) 683-4868.
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