Outdoors

Captain's Corner

Grouper: Bottom fishing remains the main staple for anglers this month.

By DAVE MISTRETTA
Published December 27, 2006

Grouper: Bottom fishing remains the main staple for anglers this month. Production in the shallower water depths has depended on water clarity and temperatures. After each cold front the water gets muddy, enhancing the shallower depths of 40 to 50 feet. A week of calm weather will eventually slow the bite down as visibility increases. The water clears up much quicker this time of year when the temps are cold. This is due to less plankton like micro organisms in the water. Water temperature dictates plankton growth. Warmer temps above 70 degrees will have more of this tiny sea life.

Tips: Many of the gag grouper are huge and require hefty tackle. Cranking down toward the fish and reeling as much as possible has stopped the big ones. A little help from a fellow angler can ensure a great catch by grabbing the line and helping pull it to the reel as it is cranked. Every inch of line retrieved is crucial. Don't lift the rod up, because that will give the fish an opportunity to take your tackle to their home.

Locations: We have been driving out to deeper waters, which remain productive since the tackle is less visible on the bottom. Catches this past four weeks have been the best in three years. Our personal limits have been met with ease on one or two stops. Seventy feet and deeper seem the best.

Dave Mistretta captains the Jaws Too out of Indian Rocks Beach. Call 727 595-3276, e-mail jawstoo@msn.com or see jawstoo.com.

[Last modified December 26, 2006, 23:44:05]