Outdoors

Captain's Corner

Winter weather has finally arrived

By Dave Mistretta
Published December 18, 2007

Cold weather: Winter has finally arrived. Warmer-than-normal conditions throughout the past month allowed anglers to pursue a variety of fish. You can count on major changes after things let up from this cold front.

Kingfish: Before the front, kingfish were available on many of the artificial reefs 10 miles from shore. Water temperatures and the availability of bait kept these big fish around a bit longer this season. You can still catch a few fish out at the deeper wrecks in at least 70 feet of water. The water temperatures will remain a bit warmer farther out, holding the few stragglers.

Bottom fishing: Grouper fishing should still be good after this cool weather passes. They are not as affected by the cold conditions, being active until water temperatures creep below 64 degrees. This week we will target depths of 50-plus feet of water. Frozen and live bait will be productive, but expect more bites to come from the frozen sardines or a chunk of squid. Many bottom feeders tend to eat one of the frozen baits rather than a frisky live one. We still mix up with different presentations.

Dave Mistretta captains the Jaws Too out of Indian Rocks Beach. Call 727 595-3276, e-mail jawstoo@msn.com or visit jawstoo.com.

[Last modified December 18, 2007, 00:17:14]