Outdoors

Captain's Corner

Grouper fishing has slowed a bit, but it will pick up by the weekend.

By STEVE PAPEN
Published January 10, 2007

What's hot: With this past week's full moon, grouper fishing has slowed a bit, but it will pick up by the weekend. Offshore tides have been running around 5 knots, making it difficult to bottom fish in depths over 90 feet. So this week we have been concentrating on amberjack. Target depths of 140-160 feet have been consistent.

Tactics: Live bait is working well, but artificial lures such as large lead-head buck tail and diamond jigs have been outproducing live baits three to one. When fishing with these lures, a fast, erratic action is necessary to entice these bruisers to eat. Work the entire water column, as these fish will seldom be right on the bottom. Sometimes the jacks get so worked up they come right to the boat, and have been known to eat a bait right on the surface. This is the time to target them on light tackle, although I recommend at least 15-pound test as an extended fight is hard on any fish.

Tips: Before a trip offshore, fill the bait well with some horse minnows or white baits by tossing a cast net at some of the local grass flats and bridges before sunup. Live chumming with these baits helps ensure that the jacks cooperate. When catching amberjack, keep only what you plan to eat. These fish usually range from 20 pounds and up, so filets from a couple go a long way.

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

[Last modified January 10, 2007, 06:10:49]