Grouper fishing offshore has become perplexing, with one day being very good and the next finding the fish refusing to cooperate no matter what the bait or tackle. Summer brings an abundance of baitfish and crustaceans to the offshore ledges and hard-bottom areas, and this may be the reason for the sometimes slow bite. The grouper we catch often have full stomachs, and many are stuffed with crabs. Because of this we keep a small dip net handy, and whenever a crab swims nearby when we are anchored it becomes part of our bait supply. It always pays to match bait with what the fish are feeding on.

Spanish mackerel can be found crashing into balled-up pods of glass minnows to and from the offshore areas. It pays to have some light tackle rigged and ready when these spotted speedsters are seen. No matter what direction one chooses when running offshore, mackerel will be found. Look for them any time you cross an area that is fished during kingfish season. One of the hot spots is at the Blind Pass hard-bottom area. On a recent trip we stopped and quickly put a dozen large Spanish in the box trolling No. 00 spoons and small white jigs. Because the fish are feeding on such small baitfish, it is necessary to fish with the smallest spoons and jigs available. The way they were biting many more could have been caught, but because mackerel do not freeze well, why take more than can be used fresh?

- Capt. 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.

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