Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By DAVE ZALEWSKI
Published May 25, 2006

Gag grouper action has been spotty in most areas. On most recent trips, it has taken several stops to catch a few keepers. It is not time to give up on bottom fishing because red grouper soon will become active on the hard bottom areas in 90 to 110 feet.

While fishing for gags in these depths, there are several other species to target. Mangrove snapper and triggerfish are on most every ledge and large structure. The key to success is to downsize tackle to 1/0 live bait hook, the smallest swivel sinker possible and a two- to three-foot length of fluorocarbon leader.

For mangrove snapper, a small live pinfish or whitebait is best, followed by the tail section of a Spanish sardine. Triggerfish are not so finicky and will strike at almost any bait. Because of their small mouths and sharp teeth, they are rarely hooked on live bait, but can be caught on small pieces of squid and sardine. Triggerfish and mangrove snapper inhabit only live, bait-filled areas. If they are being caught you can be sure that larger gag grouper are present even though they may not be feeding.

Kingfish were caught on every trip by using stinger-rigged flat lines while bottom fishing. Using bluerunners for bait was not successful for us, but Spanish sardines and hardtails caught on sabiki rigs were effective. Dave Zalewski charters the Lucky Too out of Madeira Beach and can be reached at 727 397-8815 or by e-mail at Luckytoo2@aol.com

[Last modified May 25, 2006, 00:55:15]