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Outdoors

Locating a new hot spot is exciting

By ED WALKER
Published August 6, 2005

Finding productive new spots is one of the great thrills. Even in this day of handheld GPS devices, internet fishing forums and weekly how-to seminars, there always will be undiscovered havens out there. The prospect of discovering one makes every offshore trip more exciting.

When venturing into the gulf, there are many things that could provide a clue to an interesting bottom feature perhaps holding fish. Old derelict crab traps are one of my favorites.

Stone crab traps often are lost or damaged during the extreme conditions of the winter season. When the seas get big, some traps can become dislodged and drag across the bottom. Many catch on underwater obstructions such as rocks and ledges or even wrecks.

Since traps almost always are run in long straight lines to help the trappers keep track of them, those that are off on their own usually have been lost. The buoys typically have much growth on them and may be half sunk. Two or three tangled together in an otherwise trap-free area could lead to a new fishing spot.

The best way to find these offshore locations is by constantly scanning the bottom with the depth recorder. Each should be adjusted to clearly display the bottom, especially when the boat is under way. Watching for bottom features greatly increase the chances of stumbling upon that once in a lifetime honey hole.

Divers Rich Taylor, Jason Delacruz and Frank McCallister recently found one such spot in 150 feet of water. "We had numbers to look at that we had never been to before and started searching for them," said Taylor, who's been spearfishing for years. "We poked around with mild success all day, then we found it.

"It turned out to be the spot you dream of, with more big fish than I have seen in my life. As we started our descent, the rocks started to come into view about 80 feet from the bottom. I slowed to survey the area to see where exactly I wanted to go.

"It looked pretty fishy from 80 feet up," he said. "A school of amberjack started making their way towards us, and I noticed that there were numerous 20- to 30-pound gags coming." Taylor speared at mid depth a 30-pound grouper, which then dove straight down. Two divers gave chase, securing the catch at the bottom where they then looked around in amazement.

"There were big hogfish swimming around, hundreds of AJs, including several 70- to 80-pounders, and big gags everywhere," Taylor said.

"I knew I had to make the most of my 4-minute bottom time, so I passed up the 80-pound amberjack that was practically trying to bully me off his rock pile. "One of the big gags came out of the rocks, gave me a good shot, and I nailed him."

Back at the boat, the fish weighed 50 pounds - a monster but not the day's biggest. McCallister, who was Taylor's partner, claimed a personal-best gag. It nearly was a record at 70 pounds and took several shots to bring down.

With enough fish for many grouper sandwiches and a long ride awaiting, the divers headed home with the coordinates to their new discovery punched in the GPS machine and written on paper - just in case.

Ed Walker charters out of Tarpon Springs. Call 727 944-3474 or e-mail info@lighttacklecharters.com

[Last modified August 6, 2005, 01:36:22]