Outdoors

Captain's Corner

By DAVE ZALEWSKI, Times Correspondent
Published December 24, 2007

What's hot: The cooling of the gulf waters has brought bottom fishing to the forefront of any offshore attempts. Gag grouper have become the target of choice. The "homesteaders," gags that inhabit the 20- to 30-foot depths all year round but are difficult to catch in the warmer months because of the abundance of bait, have been joined by the fish that have been in the deeper depths and have been forced to migrate by the lack of forage offshore. Both groups are now feeding heavily in anticipation of the leaner months to come.

Tactics: Normally gags favor ledges and high-profile structure and do not stray far from these safe havens. For the next month they will be found not only on structure but on the jumbled rocky areas near ledges. These areas do not offer as much opportunity for them to dive under a ledge, cutting leader or line on the sharp edges, and allows fishing with lighter line, sinkers and leaders.

Tip: Paying close attention to your depth finder when moving slowly from spot to spot will reveal small spikes of bait hovering over small rock piles. Almost anytime this combination is spotted at this time of year, one can be sure that gag grouper are also present, waiting to pounce on any unwary baitfish.

Dave Zalewski charters the Lucky Too out of Madeira Beach and can be reached at 727 397-8815 or by e-mail at Luckytoo2@aol.com.

[Last modified December 23, 2007, 19:20:45]