Outdoors

Captain's Corner

What's new: We targeted hogfish and snapper this week in federal waters, and many gag and red groupers watched on the sideline because of their recreational closure.

By CHAD CARNEY
Published March 3, 2007

What's new: We targeted hogfish and snapper this week in federal waters, and many gag and red groupers watched on the sideline because of their recreational closure. After seeing only 15 to 20 feet of hazy visibility on two dives in 92 feet and 86 feet, we skipped a planned stop inside Florida's shallow waters to look for groupers where it's still legal.

The Gulfstream Pipeline: Spearfishing has improved on the pipeline as the sand and clay have washed away from the mounds, leaving mostly rocky structure around the ditch. The "motherload rock pile" was loaded with fair-sized triggerfish, as well as hogfish and mangrove snapper.

Unusual catch method: My best fish, a 5-pound mangrove snapper, was captured but not speared, and was crafty enough to avoid ever being seen. Looking under a ledge with a light mounted on my speargun, my spear tip entangled in discarded fishing line. While shaking the short line off, it zipped back under the ledge. I reached in and felt the leader and pulled out the fish, which had recently broken off a hook-and-line fisherman.

[Last modified March 2, 2007, 23:17:29]