Fishing in Florida

[JohnB]

BARNABY55,
I took my kids out twice two weeks ago at the start of scallop season. Fished many places from 30 to 70 feet of water. Caught 71 fish (we were counting), 3 legal ones. Yes we had a blast catching them, but it's a good thing scallops were plentiful on the way in or we would of starved. At least you have grouper over here. I took some guest out last week to 85 feet of water, and we loaded up pretty good, just that we were so far out you could smell the tacos from mexico and I think I have a mortgage on the gas bill. The bottom fishing on the east coast is frozen from ft pierce to north of daytona.

[BARNABY55]

JohnB,
You fish Egmont Key area? Unfortunately, The Good Lord needed a sand box to play in and chose Tampa. I wish we could be in the Gulf like Lauderdale. I think the rule of thumb here is for every 10 miles you run you gain one foot of water. There are some Channels at egmont. Grouper hang there..No you will not catch keepers on every drop but catch enough to eat...they will be there again. Sounds like we have enough around to get a fishing trip together . With projects going on I'm all for getting a group together on boats and going. Always count me in to share that expense.
I think Salty Dog's trip will be good. The Captain I hooked him up with is very reasonable and knows the area.I talked to him last night and he says Snook, Reds, and Mangrove snapper are doing well. Tight Lines to Salty Dog,(Unless I get to go)

[JohnB]

BARNABY55,
I fish out of Clearwater pass, Homossasa, and Crystal River when I fish the west coast. Generally, I have real good luck over there. Just having problems finding legal fish this year. A bunch of these are within 1/2 a inch of being dinner. I usually fish between 20 and 35 miles out in the summer, and in the spring/fall work in closer on the rockpiles, etc. It's just been one of those years over there. At least on the east coast when the bottom fish stop biting, there is almost always mahi and kings to harass.

[BARNABY55]

Well When you need help Harassing Mahi and Kings...E-Mail me! I'm There in a flash!

[saltydog]

Thanks fellas. I think you have given us enough places and or guides to go with. JohnB sent you an email, give me a call. Barnaby haven't heard from the capt. yet. We should do this one together if you can make it.

[BARNABY55]

Salty, Looks like your timing is very good. Glad he was able to book you. I'll see what I can do. John B sent Me an E-mail?

[BARNABY55]

Went Fishing the Flats today with the Captain Roman. Caught Snook, Mangrove Snapper which we ate for dinner and some Jack Crevalle. Weather was Beautiful except a little rain squalls here and there. We left some for you Salty

[Ryank]

Hey JOHNB, Ive run out to 30 miles 3 times in the past month and have had some serious problems with algae bloom out here heading west out of pasco, been still hitting a few kings and
getting a few keeper groupers , Ive been diving and seeing quite a few nice grouper in as shallow as 25 ft (ahh... I love my ab biller) > [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] But overall the fishing as been tougher, Have you ever had any luck hitting the shrimp boats in the early A.M. for tuna ?

[JohnB]

Ryank,
I have not had problems with algae (that I know of) on the west coast. We have got a serious algae (cornflake) and cold water problem on the east coast that is as bad as I have ever seen it (from Ft Pierce to north of Daytona). It has the fishing all messed up. We are finding them, but not in the usual places with the usual tactics. Someone caught 2 nice dolphin in 40-50 feet of water out of Sebastian last weekend. The problem with grouper in 25 feet of water at 86 degrees is you can see/shoot them diving, but getting them to bite is a whole different story. I think that if you fish them at first light, when the water is coolest, you have your best shot at them, By 11:00AM, they just seem to shut down, and the dinks and grunts take over.
Are you talking about the shrimp boats on the East or West coast. I have not had success either locating or fishing the shrimp boats on the west coast. On the east coast, it is a little early for them over here. They usually set up in 140' of water to clean their catch, and I do fish them from time to time looking for tuna. This year I usually get bonita, sharks, and the occasional cobia, but I keep trying. A guy I was buddy boating with got a nice Blackfin Tuna 75 feet behind me in my chum slick. The shrimp boats will probably be out there in numbers the 1st week of August, but this has been a wackey weather year. I don't know how it will affect what they do.
Do you ever fish the East Coast?, if so out of which port?

[BARNABY55]

Hey Salty,
I heard it was not such a hot day for the reds and snook. Hope the Capt and the trip were O.K.