Offshore

Snapper, grouper await the right drift.

By DAVE MISTRETTA
Published June 29, 2007

The absence of Red Tide so far has lead to large bait schools smothering many areas, luring game fish from all directions.

Small threadfin herring have landed on the grass flats in the bays. Once we see these 2-inch minnows on the flats, it's usually a sign to go mangrove snapper fishing. We caught plenty of giant mangrove snapper this past week; some with row in their bellies, indicating a migration of these tasty reef fish.

As the tide slowed, we enticed the snapper to the surface, which allowed big ones to be caught on light tackle. Using a trickle of cut-up minnows, we free-lined a small chunk with a hook in it. As the snapper attack the chunks, they eventually ate our offering. The incoming tide seems to be the best time to try this tactic. Avoid a fast current. A slower current allows the chum to drift down, luring them up.

These fish have keen eyesight, so light tackle will help your presentation. We use 20-pound test tied directly to a 3/0 hook. Sometimes the bigger snappers will break off, but that's a small price to pay if the action is hot.

Grouper fishing has started to produce modest catches. We have been catching red grouper at all depths from 70 to 110 feet of water. Working the rolloffs and edges of the sand and limestone bottom is working best. A lot of bait stacks can be found smothering a pothole that will also hold a big red grouper or two. We have met our limit of one per person by drifting through these bait stacks.

Dave Mistretta captains out of Indian Rocks Beach. Call (727) 595-3276, or visit www.jaws too.com.

[Last modified June 29, 2007, 00:47:23]