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By GARY FOLDEN
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 16, 2001
A definition of patience is being steadfast despite opposition, difficulty or adversity.
The opposition: fish. The difficulty: getting them to bite. The adversity: the heat of the summer.
Water temperatures are at their summer maximum and getting fish to bite can be challenging. Trout and Spanish mackerel are active morning feeders from Anclote Key to Clearwater Bay. They are feeding on the large schools of small baitfish positioning themselves over the grassy areas near the passes.
Mackerel also are being caught offshore.
Bottom fishing has been on a slow pace. Grouper tend to become sluggish when the water is in the upper 80s. I have been diving numerous ledges in the gulf and know the amount of grouper occupying these coral-encrusted hangouts. Fish these ledges and you might entice one of 10 grouper to bite. The number of hogfish on the reefs is impressive. They are extremely difficult to get to bite but are easy targets for spearfishermen.
With all the cloudy days and rain of late, the water temperature should fall slightly. Sometimes this will cause fish to feed longer and allow anglers a better opportunity for action.
- Capt. Gary Folden charters out of Clearwater and can be reached at (727) 585-8544 or by e-mail at jcgfolden@mindspring.com.