Nature Coast

Familiar sight in the shallows

The gag grouper population seems to have recovered after the massive red tide outbreak of a few years ago.

By ED WALKER, Times Staff Writer
Published November 24, 2007

Up and down the Nature Coast, bottom fishermen are saying the same thing - the gag grouper are back! Nearly every year as the water temperature falls into the 70s, these highly-prized fish move in from offshore and take up residence around local rocks and ledges.

The fall of 2005 however, was much different. From New Port Richey south there were virtually no grouper within 15 miles of the coast. The severe red tide outbreak that summer wiped out or displaced the entire population. Not only were there no gags, there was little life of any kind around these once fertile outcroppings. Areas farther north, off Hernando Beach and Bayport, remained largely unaffected but fishing pressure was more intense as anglers fled the barren rocks to the south.

Dives to the bottom revealed a terrible sight. Everything was dead - the corals, sponges, sea fans, crabs and mollusks. It is rare for a red tide outbreak to move north of the Pinellas County line and few if any of this magnitude have been recorded. No one knew how long it would take the reefs and fish population to recover, or if it would ever be the same.

A year later, we returned to some of our favorite rocks and ledges from Tarpon Springs to Aripeka and some fish had returned. Yearling gags, from 10 to 15 inches, had appeared but there were no legal-sized fish to be found. Dive trips were still dismal but we did find a handful of small hogfish and grunts. There were some encouraging signs of growth on the rocks, however, so it appeared a slow recovery was under way.

This year we again stopped by the previously dead rocks and cast out a few baits. We were pleasantly surprised when our first cast produced a keeper gag, the first in three years for that area. Soon another came aboard, then another. The bite was back, just like it had been before the red tide. There were good numbers of legal-sized fish, but few over 10 pounds. It is possible these 22- to 25-inch gags are a new generation that has grown up after the red tide of 2005. In any case, the shallow-water grouper fishing appears to be back up close to its original level.

Finding the rocks

When hunting for potential grouper spots, good bottom features are the most important feature to look for. These rocks need not be exceptionally big or tall, but they must have holes or undercuts where the fish can hide. Some experts claim grouper will actually fan the sand out from under rocks and ledges to create shelter. The fish will sit outside the holes most of the time but always know exactly where they are. At the slightest sign of trouble, or when hooked, they will bolt out of sight.

When the water is clear, as it often is during cooler months, it is possible to see rocky patches of bottom from the surface. This presents a great opportunity for anglers to add to their books of productive coordinates. I hit the save button on my GPS for virtually all of the rock patches I see, even if I am just passing by.

I mark those with a symbol that I use to indicate that I saw rocks there but have yet to check them out. Some day later, if I happen to be in the area, I have a starting point to check out even if the water is too dirty to see the bottom.

Narrowing the search

Since many of the rocky areas are quite large, it is possible to work one side and strike out while there are plenty fish on the other. One way to cover the whole thing it to troll deep-diving lures over the rocks. When a fish strikes, either punch in the exact coordinates or toss a marker jug over the side.

Chumming also helps bring fish from all over the patch closer to your boat. A bag of frozen chum hanging from the transom and some fresh 2- to 3-inch chunks of cut fish will produce enough scent to draw them from a hundred feet down current.

Hooking up

Once you find a productive spot, it's time to send in the live baits. Pinfish are the top choice for most local anglers and they are readily available on the grassflats closer to shore. When fishing in shallow water, keep the weight to a minimum. A sinker of 1 to 3 ounces is all you need in most cases and will reduce the number of snags you would have with a heavier weight. A 3-foot section of 80- to 100-pound test monofilament leader and a stout 6/0 to 7/0 hook complete the rig.

Casting is often required because the fish will gather where the chum reaches the bottom, which is usually some distance behind the boat. Big spinners loaded with 40-pound monofilament will hold most of the grouper you find in these areas.

[Last modified November 23, 2007, 21:10:24]