Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By DAVE MISTRETTA
Published October 13, 2005

Grouper fishing remains good in depths of 60 to 80 feet. Catches have been consistent for two weeks. Most of the fish are gag grouper, with an occasional big red grouper.

Live bait has been the biggest inconsistency. Some days we are able to jig a live well full of pinfish; other days we don't get anything. Luckily, dead sardines and grunt fillets have been working effectively.

We caught a few small kingfish while grouper digging this week. These early arrivals indicate our fall migration is on schedule. Expect to see more of the bigger mackerels after the first cool front pushes through the area.

Stone crab season is about to start. All the scent seeping from the crab traps will attract schools of bait fish. This chumming effect is sure to lure many kingfish.

Schools of small Spanish mackerel are abundant out to four miles. They are working schools of tiny minnows that have smothered our coastline. Seeing these mackerel frenzies is another sign the kingfish will be coming soon.

Cobia are making an occasional appearance. We caught six cobia two straight weeks. Expect their presence for the duration of October and into most of November.

The Red Tide seems to have let up, allowing migratory fish to work their way east. We even started to catch 4-foot sharks on many of the grouper spots this past week.

Dave Mistretta captains the Jaws Too out of Indian Rocks Beach. Call 727 595-3276, e-mail jawstoo@msn.com or see www.jawstoo.com

[Last modified October 13, 2005, 01:11:19]