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Outdoors

'Grounds' beckons with fish

By ED WALKER
Published January 28, 2006

Chilly water is slowing near-shore bottom fishing. Anglers working from 15 to 50 feet have reported lackluster results from Tarpon Springs to Hernando Beach. Deeper is better at the moment, with excellent action far from shore. When the weather allows, long range trips to 100 feet or more have been producing great catches of gag grouper and snapper. Depending upon the departure location, this can mean traveling a great distance from land.

Bottom features such as rock piles and ledges are widely scattered between 35 and 65 miles to the west, but beginning at 65 to 70 miles there is a concentrated expanse of canyons, giant ledges and underwater pinnacles. This area is called the Florida Middlegrounds, and it is an amazing place. Depth varies from 90 to 135 feet depending upon where you are in the vast expanse of prime bottom. In some parts of "The Grounds", 30-foot limestone walls meander for more than a mile. In others there are smaller piles, odd pillars of rock, and deep caves.

Virtually every type of reef fish in the Gulf can be found here including black and yellowfin grouper, scamp, cubera snapper, almaco jacks, and many other exotic species seldom found closer to shore. Since the area is far from land and protected from longlining and fish trapping, populations remain healthy. Spearfishermen tell of dropping down in 135 feet of water and encountering swarms of gag grouper from 80 feet to the bottom.

Grouper are not the only prize underwater hunters seek in the Middlegrounds. Hogfish, often mistakenly called hog snapper, grow larger here than just about anywhere else in the world. While a nearshore diver may expect to land a hogfish in the 3- to 6-pound class, those found here often weigh in excess of 18 pounds, and several record-class fish over 20 pounds are taken each year.

For rod and reel fishermen, grouper and snapper are usually the target. The only difficulty is pinpointing the location of the fish. In most cases, anchoring over a ledge and dropping baits is all it takes, but not in the Middlegrounds. Here there is so much perfect bottom and prime ledges that all of them could not possibly hold fish.

Finding structure is the first step. The next is to slowly idle back and forth while studying the sonar screen. Spots that show activity or large marks above to the bottom are normally those holding grouper. Tossing a marker jug and double checking it to make sure it is exactly on the mark is crucial. One hundred feet can be the difference between a great catch and no bites.

Running 70 miles out during the winter can be dangerous and should not be attempted by novice boaters or without a complete set of safety gear, including an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon), satellite phone, VHF radio with high-powered antenna, flares and life raft. Float plans detailing the duration of the trip, number of passengers, expected fishing area, and time of return should be left with someone, either a family member, Coast Guard, or towing service membership club. Although the water offshore is slightly warmer, immersion for more than a few hours can be deadly.

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

[Last modified January 28, 2006, 01:37:10]