Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By MIKE WHITMAN
Published January 30, 2005

Amberjack fishing is phenomenal. Fish of 35 to 40 pounds are on practically every wreck, spring and large break in water deeper than 100 feet in the gulf.

They can be caught on diamond jigs, live bait, even topwater plugs.

Because they are so easily caught this time of year, change tactics to give the edge back to the fish. Try for them with large popping plugs and 25-pound conventional gear. The plugs should be modified to have one 8/0 hook instead of two treble hooks.

When an amberjack is hooked, other fish usually follow it to the surface. Cast the popper and do a slow, steady retrieve. Imagine the exhilaration as five or six fish of more than 30 pounds fight for that plug. When a fish is hooked the question becomes: Who gives up first, angler or fish?

Grouper fishing is steady, particularly on breaks and hard-bottom areas more than 125 feet deep. Fluctuating water temperatures and rough, dirty conditions closer to shore have moved the majority of fish into deeper water.

We continue to find large patches of cloudy water in depths between 75 and 100 feet, killing our bait on the ride offshore. This orange, cloudy water appears to be only at the surface because we have not seen a reef-fish kill that is typical of Red Tide.

Mike Whitman charters the Mega-Bite out of Gulfport. Call 727 384-5729, view the Web site at www.megabitecharters.com or e-mail capt@megabitecharters.com

[Last modified January 30, 2005, 00:10:19]