Captain's corner

By DAVID ZALEWSKI

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 30, 2000

It has been a toss-up whether to target red or gag grouper. Grouper fishing in the 75- to 100-foot range has held up this summer better than I can remember.

Red grouper primarily hold on the "Swiss-cheese" hard bottom areas. This term refers to the appearance of the limestone bottom that is pockmarked with large holes, crevices and cracks. These areas can range up to the size of a football field.

No matter what size, hard bottom areas have the majority of large resident red grouper patrolling the transitional area where the limestone meets the sand.

Interior areas harbor smaller fish along with lane snapper, porgies and Key West grunts. A fishfinder will delineate this break and careful positioning will result in quick action.

Red grouper fishing can be a game of inches, and if the fish do not bite it might be because the boat swung over the sandy area. It is worthwhile to move the boat slowly forward to reposition yourself over the rock before moving to another spot.

Start with squid and cut sardines and switch to whole sardines and pinfish, or cigar minnows when the bite slows.

-- Dave Zalewski charters the Lucky Too out of Madeira Beach. Call (727) 397-8815.

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