Catching fish offshore between the fronts

Capt. Dave Pinkham
December 12, 2008
Venice - Saltwater Fishing Report

Spanish mackerel have been a dependable catch. Some of the biggest Spanish are within a mile of the coastline. Live baits such as pilchards are hard to beat to get the Spanish mackerel hitting.

Gag grouper fishing is picking up. The cooler water temperatures that push the kingfish south help push gag grouper into short bottom. To catch them I suggest you concentrate on hard bottom such as a ledge, an area of coral, a shipwreck, or one of the artificial reefs. Some of the best grouper bites we've been on have been within 10 miles of the coast.

Mangrove snapper should put some fish in the box if the gag grouper aren't feeding. Generally you'll find snapper at the same hard bottom area as the grouper. If targeting mangrove snapper try using a lighter rod to increase the hits. I like to use a 30-pound rig. Snapper will hit just about any natural bait when they're hungry.

Greater amberjack are hitting on the deeper wrecks.

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