Outdoors

Bait schools' presence keeps variety in play

By LARRY HOFFMAN, Times Correspondent
Published December 28, 2007

Unseasonably warm conditions have kept the bait schools off our coast, and with the bait remain kingfish and nearshore grouper. Farther offshore, amberjack, and blackfin tuna are options in depths of 100 feet and deeper.

Gag grouper is dominating the nearshore action. Guide Andy Gustofus has been finding gags over small ledges in 40 to 50 of water. Some gags have been big - up to 14 pounds. Shallow-water gags put up a great fight and require heavy tackle to get the fish's head turned up and out of the rock piles and ledges.

Fair numbers of amberjack are holding over springs and shipwrecks. Another place to check is the deeper mitigation piles along the pipeline. Live blue runners are the bait of choice; big pinfish and pigfish will also produce.

Get your live bait early in the morning by chumming, then use a cast net. We use pinfish traps placed in the shallow waters. On our way offshore we stop to load up on live baits caught in the traps. Four-tide days have been the most productive. Move from spot to spot during slack tide.

For tuna this time of year, chum offshore with frozen sardines. Cut the sardines into 1-inch pieces and throw a piece over every 30 seconds. Chunking works best in deep water - 110 feet and deeper - on strong tides. Give chum efforts an hour or more of time.

Amberjack up to 50 pounds have been hitting live blue runners. Use 6-foot leaders and 6/0 J hooks, going through the nose of the blue runners. If the action is slow, drop the tackle size to 4/0. Check for smooth drags and have fight belts handy for big jacks.

Springs are a great place to find grouper, amberjack, mangrove snapper, kingfish and blackfin tuna all at one spot. Bring 30-pound class tackle for the snapper, and 50- to 60-pound class tackle for the grouper and amberjack. Frozen sardines cut in half work best for the snappers. Light leader, double 3/0 hooks and a green glow bead next to the hook works best.

Larry Hoffman charters out of John's Pass, Treasure Island. Call 727 709-9396 or e-mail huffyl@tampabay.rr.com.

[Last modified December 27, 2007, 20:04:34]