The fishing was very good until the wind started to blow late last week. Chris Clark on Mega-Bite caught red and gag grouper, the largest red weighing more than 35 pounds.
The amberjack bite to 150 feet was awesome with catches eating pinfish not much larger than a quarter. Also caught and released were American red snapper of 15-20 pounds.
The only problem before the weather change was an apparent Red Tide outbreak between 70 and 100 feet west of the Whistler Buoy. Twice last week, we lost all of our live bait as we ran offshore. The most recent forecast has winds at 15-20 mph, so Red Tide should dissipate.
With little to no chance of getting offshore before Saturday, think maintenance. Check the engine room high-water alarms and clean out the bilge pumps of bigger boats. Rent a pressure checker to pressurize the cooling system and fix those small leaks that result from everyday running. Also, check for leaks around the shaft logs and rudder posts. Change the impellers.
On outboard boats, change sparkplugs and do a general tuneup. Change the impellers and lower unit gear lube.
Go through all safety gear and check your flares' expiration date.
