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Outdoors

Daily fishing report

According to the long-range forecast, we should get a break from the cold fronts and rough seas that have plagued us since November. Water temperatures around 53 degrees the past week caused us to rethink winter grouper fishing. Normally fish can be found in shallow inshore areas 3-9 miles offshore. Several stops in these areas produced little activity. It took runs of 18-20 miles offshore in depths of 75-100 feet to generate activity. Most sizable ledges failed to produce, and it became necessary to fish on Swiss-cheese, hard-bottom areas. The fish are slow to react to the baits, and it often took 10 minutes on a spot to get a bite. Squid and Spanish sardines cut in half were the baits of choice for grouper and other reef fish that we got to bite.

Gloves not only protected us from the cold but also from jellyfish stings while pulling the anchor. The tentacles are almost invisible and can attach themselves to the anchor line. If you get stung, rinse the area with saltwater. Fresh water may trigger further stinging. Remove the tentacle with tweezers, apply a paste of baking soda and shave the area with a knife to remove any tentacle that may be left. Vinegar or meat tenderizer is sometimes used with varying results.

-- Capt. Dave Zalewski charters the Lucky Too out of Madeira Beach and can be reached at (727) 397-8815 or by e-mail at Luckytoo2@aol.com.

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