Outdoors

Captain's Corner

By DOUG HEMMER, Times Correspondent
Published December 13, 2007

What's hot: Areas along the dropoff of the shipping channel and small ledges just offshore are holding large numbers of grouper, especially between the Sunshine Skyway and Port Manatee, artificial reefs in 30 to 40 feet and patches of hard bottom between John's Pass and Clearwater. Divers reporthundreds of grouper hanging over some of the reefs, including catches up to 15 pounds on small breaks in 30 feet. Grouper inside the Skyway will move out and stack up over hard bottom when the water drops below 65 degrees.

Pro tips: Troll the shipping channel with large plugs or jigs, mark your spot and fish it with large live pinfish. Some of the best bottom is between the Madeira Beach and Indian Shores reefs. Toss a throw jug off the back of the boat when you get a strike. Drift baits around the jug until you locate the break that's holding the fish. Action should remain hot until the water drops below 60 degrees.

Tackle: Don't use less than 50- to 80-pound test. Large shallow-water grouper are harder to catch then deep-water grouper. Lock the drags and don't stop reeling until the fish clears the break.

Doug Hemmer charters out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 347-1389.

[Last modified December 12, 2007, 18:17:04]