Shipwrecks and springs hold fish year-round and can produce an entire day's catch in one stop. At this time of year, expect to catch grouper, scamp, amberjacks, goliath grouper, black fin tuna and mangrove snappers in 90-130 feet.
The water temperatures can be 10 degrees warmer 25 miles offshore than 5-10, and you can find springs and shipwrecks with bait. Recently, we fished in 125 feet southwest of John's Pass. We started with cut bait to entice scamp, grouper and mangrove snapper.
We switched to large pinfish for amberjacks up to 35 pounds. While wreck fishing, we started to chunk cut frozen sardines, which attracts black fin tuna. The key to chunking is a strong tide, and each piece should be about an inch square. Drop a piece every 30 seconds. Give yourself an hour before moving.
We deployed two flat lines with live baits about 300 feet from the boat. This keeps the jacks and other fish from taking the bait.
The down side to fishing for multiple species is the tackle. Tackle of 20-30 pounds works for snappers, 30-40 for tuna and bonita and 50-60 for amberjacks. You cannot use baits too big for jacks. Large blue runners, 1-pound pinfish and spadefish work well at this time of year.
- Larry "Huffy" Hoffman charters out of John's Pass, Treasure Island. Call 727 709-9396 or e-mail him at huffyl@tampabay.rr.com
