Outdoors

Captain's Corner

By DAVE MISTRETTA, Times Correspondent
Published October 14, 2007

Bottom fishing: Grouper fishing has been great this week. All depths have been producing, especially shallower areas. We have been hooking some big gag grouper in depths of 40 feet and less. It seems to be getting better with each fall day. As water temperatures drop expect rock piles and ledges to produce keeper grouper in 20 to 30 feet. By the end of this month, you'll see some impressive numbers of grouper making a home in these shallow depths.

Kingfish: Their numbers are not great yet, but the big push should migrate our way within a matter of days. Our biggest king this week was a 34-pounder. We hooked this giant mackerel on a live pilchard while trolling over the Rube Allen Reef on Thursday.

Spanish mackerel: These smaller macks have invaded all depths with a fury. The greatest numbers have been 10 miles out and closer. Look for the big schools of baitfish getting ravaged at the surface. Seabirds and mackerel can be easily spotted as they attack the schools.

Dave Mistretta captains the Jaws Too out of Indian Rocks Beach and can be reached at jawstoo@msn.com jawstoo.com or 727 595-3276.

[Last modified October 13, 2007, 17:33:07]