Captain's Report - January/February, 2006

by Capt. Dave Mistretta

The next 2 months fishing will pretty much depend on the weather. If the cold fronts subside, plan on some decent offshore action.

Red grouper can now be kept in federal waters. There seems to be some modest numbers of legal fish in the waters of 115 feet. We stayed out of these areas last month, since the reds didn't fare very well, even after being vented for release. A few of the ledges and rock piles in 80 and 90 feet have been holding a few keeper reds also. Anglers reeling in numerous reef fish over a ledge will often attract reds. They normally will get lured over from another area since they are so curious and need to know all the commotion is about.

If the seas are calm this will be the month for amberjack. You will have to travel a good distance to find these pelagic fish, since they have not moved closer to shore. The wrecks and springs fifty miles and further are really the only spots holding jacks as of now. It seems that right around the time of the Super bowl, amber jack will start to trickle their way towards shore. The bigger jacks don’t normally come into the wrecks less than 75 feet, but occasionally you’ll find a giant in depths as shallow as 40 feet.

Many of the smaller jacks are migrating onto rocks and ledges in 90 feet of water. This is par for the course this time of year. There was so much confusion on deciphering the difference between small amberjacks, banded rudder fish and lesser amber jacks, the laws adjusted to accommodate anglers. You are allowed 5 different jacks per person between 14 and 22 inches (fork length). You are allowed 1 amberjack over 28 inches (fork length) and it is counted in your limit of five per person. This time of year will also bring one of the tastiest fish in the gulf, closer to us. The trigger fish can be found on all our ledges year round, but January seems to lure in a larger migration to many of the shallower ledges. Some years will provide anglers with these tasty fish in depths as shallow as 25 feet, but don't expect too much action this year. Effects from the red tide have killed many of the live reefs in close, and that happens to be what trigger fish love. The more live coral on an area the more tigger fish you will find. We have started to catch a few triggers in depths as shallow as 65 feet. Maybe fifty feet of water will hold some fish by the end of the month. Use the same rigs used for Key West grunts. A double hook rig with the sinker on the bottom works great. Small chunks of squid are the best baits for a hungry trigger. Many anglers get frustrated trying to clean a trigger fish, since the skin is so tough. A knife can be dulled immediately when you are trying to cut thru the outer skin. We stick the point of the fillet knife along side the dorsal fin (also called the trigger) and push down. This allows the knife to sneak by the tough hide and penetrate the soft fillets. Cutting from the in side of the skin out allows easy access to the trigger wonderful tasting fillets. As far as I am concerned, trigger is one of the top ten reef fish in the gulf.

Gag grouper fishing will also depend on the weather. This time of year is when the mature fish begin to bundle up in preparation of their spawn. The deeper waters of the gulf are where this action normally takes place. If the weather allows angler to travel far, many will be searching the giant ledges of the middle grounds and other areas. Angler fishing close to shore will still have accessibility to gag grouper. You will find the juvenile sized fish that are not ready to spawn yet. There are keeper sized gags in the mix even with all the spawning getting ready to take place. If you can get out at least twenty miles your chances of coming home with grouper dinner will be much greater.

Water temps will dictate the intensity of their appetites for the next month. The shallower waters of 90 feet and closer are the depths that feel the shut down of a grouper bite due to cold weather conditions. The deeper you travel into the gulf the warmer the water, allowing anglers to experience a better day of fishing.

Captain's Report - January/February, 2006

by Capt. Dave Mistretta

Past Captain's Reports