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Captain's corner

By LARRY HOFFMAN
Published August 1, 2006

We recently had the opportunity to dive a few of our traditionally great fishing spots. The cheese rock that has produced great fish action in 55 feet off Sarasota was silent: no fish, and a dead reef. The available option now is working offshore for good grouper and snapper fishing.

Two years ago in August I took two Army buddies out 3 miles from John's Pass, and we cleaned up on gags in 23 feet of water. That is not the case this year. The Red Tides we've experienced from the past two years have been tough.

That being said, life is coming back. A good friend of my mine, Garner Koons - that's snook spelled backward, as he likes to tell people - had a great trip to the middle grounds. They were able to shoot numbers of good-sized fish, including a 23-pound hogfish. Capt. Koons reported that they saw a fair amount of grouper in the 30-pound range.

Though bottom fishing has been slow, going 90 to 130 feet out is starting to produce some good fish. Live bait soaked on the bottom with some patience is producing dividends. As always, start with dead bait, then move to live bait.

Yellowtail snappers over springs are very plentiful. Chum them up in the water column, then use small pieces of squid for bait. When it comes to table fare on our coast, nothing beats a yellowtail snapper.

Larry "Huffy" Hoffman charters out of John's Pass, Treasure Island. Call 727 709-9396 or e-mail huffyl@tampabay.rr.com.

[Last modified August 1, 2006, 02:33:39]