Outdoors

Captain's Corner

By DAVE ZALEWSKI
Published August 26, 2007

What's hot: Fishing for pelagic and benthic species remains above average for this time of year. Red grouper have taken up residence on flat hard-bottom areas in 90 to 100 feet, and it hasn't been necessary to travel any farther offshore to secure the limit of one per person per day on most trips.

Near most red grouper are limestone ledges or wrecks that can be targeted for different species if the red grouper limit is quickly filled - rare, but it does happen. Gag grouper, scamp, mangrove snapper and triggerfish tend to inhabit and stick closer to higher-profile structure than the red grouper.

Tactics: When targeting scamp, mangrove snapper and triggerfish, downsize tackle. Experimenting with swivel sinker size, 2 to 4 ounces, and using the lightest weight that the current will allow along with 3-foot leader and two 1/0 short-shanked hooks joined by a No. 10 swivel is the key. Very small, live pinfish and the tail portion of a frozen sardine are irresistible to the scamp and snapper, with squid being the preferred bait for the triggerfish.

Reminder: Scamp have to be at least 16 inches long and do count in the grouper aggregate limit of five per person.

[Last modified August 25, 2007, 23:49:56]