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Outdoors
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 26, 2003
Spring fishing conditions are here. The gulf water temperature is rising, near the mid 60s. Large bait schools are appearing south of Egmont Channel. We are a couple of weeks from kingfish season.
Grouper have been moving and feeding aggressively over large ledges and bait schools. We're catching gag grouper up 12 pounds in 40 feet. Large pinfish and small grunts are producing the biggest fish. The shrimp fleet will move inshore and blackfin tuna will abound.
Blue-water fishing for marlin and other pelagic species is hot. The captain of The Pescadero from Clearwater was fishing the gulf this week between the Steps and the Elbow when he caught and released a blue marlin estimated at close to 450 pounds. Longer days will warm the gulf and stretch the time between weather fronts, allowing for offshore blue-water trips. The water temperature out to 80 miles southwest of John's Pass is in the high 70s, perfect for migrating fish.
Grouper and snapper fishing from 45-65 feet have been excellent over hard bottom, ledges and cheese-rock type bottom. The best grouper bite has been in early afternoon. The small fish are feeding first, then bigger, keeper-size grouper take over the feeding lanes. Live bait is always an essential this time of year. Bait schools have shown up near Egmont Channel and just south of channel markers 3, 4 and 1, 2.
-- Larry "Huffy" Hoffman charters out of John's Pass, Treasure Island. Call (727) 709-9396.