Captain’s Corner for January 13 Dave Zalewski 727 397-8815
Before this last cold front passed through with its attendant high winds and rough seas bottom fishing for white grunts, porgies, triggerfish and red grouper was very good in waters as shallow as 30 feet deep and extending west to the 90 foot depths. Water temperatures were in the high 60’s and all of the bottom fish were active, striking both live pinfish and frozen squid and sardines. With the cold front and short days water temperatures have plunged to below 60 degrees and this will necessitate a change in tactics. The metabolism of the fish will dramatically slow down making them less eager to strike a bait presented to them until feeding activity of some of the smaller reef fish is established. Start half of the anglers on board with 2 hook snapper rigs, baited with squid strips, with the sinker below to entice the porgies and white grunts to bite. This will cause the larger fish to be attracted to the area and trigger them to also feed.
When waters are warmer, solunar periods do not have a dramatic effect on bottom fishing. At this time of year they do have an impact on fish activity. It does not matter if it is a major or minor period. What matters is that you have a line in the water during these times and not be making a long run to another spot