Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By LARRY HOFFMAN
Published February 6, 2005

Recent cold fronts have left offshore fishing conditions slow.

Only the very hearty have been able to withstand the 4- to 6-foot seas. We were able to fish just one day last week because of rough seas.

Winter fishing takes planning and equipment. Hypothermia is still a possibility even though we live in Florida. Cruising in an open boat in 55 degree weather requires warm winter clothes. As the day warms up, peel the heavy layers off, then change back to heavy clothes on the trip home. To be safe, we always carry extra parkas and warm shirts for our customers. Many tourists, who are visiting from up north, often say the cold isn't bothersome but end up needing warm-weather gear 20 minutes into a fishing trip.

Fishing has been slow and is expected to remain so through March unless temperatures rise. Grouper and snapper are our main target, as well as amberjacks over shipwrecks and springs. The fish have been biting before and immediately following a tide change. Dead bait and lots of patience will payoff, however. We are getting our limit of grouper but it takes longer than in the summer.

Amberjacks seem to be the best bet for big fish using blue runners for bait. The bigger the bait, the bigger the jacks. We prefer to keep the smaller 25 pounders for smoking and eating. The big jacks put up great fights but are also breeding so we try and release ones over 50 pounds. Start your fishing in 55 feet and work your way offshore. Fish each spot at least 30 minutes to get the fish to feed. A chum bag placed halfway in the water column helps attract red grouper.

Larry "Huffy" Hoffman charters out of John's Pass, Treasure Island. Call 727 709-9396 or e-mail him at huffyl@tampabay.rr.com

[Last modified February 6, 2005, 00:22:15]