Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By CHAD CARNEY
Published January 7, 2006

When old man winter blew into the area Friday morning the chances of finding a close place to go spearfishing was ruined. Visibility was recovering in 50 to 60 feet of water until the 25-knot northwest winds pushed seas past 10 feet. Now it will take another week to settle.

Stone crabbing was tough earlier in the week when dirty coastal waters flushed in and dropped visibility under bay area bridges to about a foot. Navigating by feel more than sight, we still found some medium-sized crab claws. North county water temperatures are in the middle 50s already, while south of the bay it's about five degrees warmer. It may lay down enough Sunday for a deep run down south where the water will likely remain clear.

An alternative this time of year is to head to the southeast coast of Florida. The reefs and wrecks there are less than a mile offshore, so cold fronts don't affect them at all. Only the strong easterly winds preceding fronts make Gulf Stream waters too rough to venture offshore. Visibility is often 40 to 100 feet and the water is a warm 70 degrees. Fish like gag grouper and cobia frequently run down the coast in winter, providing ample targets.

Chad Carney teaches diving and spearfishing in the Tampa Bay area. Call 727 423-7775 or e-mail chadcarney@verizon.net

[Last modified January 7, 2006, 01:22:58]