Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By STEVE PAPEN
Published June 4, 2006

Grouper fishing in 130 to 180 feet continues to produce gag, red and an unusual amount of scamp grouper. Scamp are overlooked because they are not often found in great numbers or sizes. They like areas where the sand and the hard bottom meet, including the small, less defined roll-offs in these areas. On a recent trip to 160 feet, I found good numbers between 5 and 12 pounds in an area where I caught them last year. Most were taken on sardines.

With the full moon coming up, fishing will slow quite a bit during the day. Three to five days before and after this moon, fishing will be best at night. If the fish can see, they will feed all night. And in the faster, harder running tides, these fish will move tight to cover so they don't have to fight so hard to stay on their ledge. If you are going offshore bottom-fishing during this time, get an early start; the first few hours of daylight will produce best.

Red snapper still are being caught consistently. If you're going south, look in 150 to 180 feet. If you're heading north, 120 to 130 feet is a good bet. Spanish sardines are best bait.

--Steve Papen charters out of Indian Shores and can be reached at (727) 642-3411.

[Last modified June 4, 2006, 01:17:19]