January Gulf of Mexico Fishing Action
Capt. Dave Pinkham
January 7, 2009
Venice - Saltwater Fishing Report
Gag grouper action is really picking up inside of 15 miles and this trend should continue through the winter months. To catch gag grouper, I suggest with the aid of your fish finder you locate some hard bottom such as a ledge, an area of coral, shipwreck, or one of the artificial reefs. Now try to get your boat anchored over or near the structure. Using live and or cut bait drop your rig to the bottom. It's that simple! A good stout rod with about 40-pound test line should be used. Gags tend to hit hard and then run for the nearest cover so hang on tight and crank the handle!
Red grouper, at least the ones big enough to keep are usually caught from 15 miles out and farther offshore. Calm days are ideal for drift fishing across a large coral pot-hole type of bottom. The great thing about fishing for red grouper is that you really don't need some unbelievable secret fishing hole to catch them. Red grouper can generally be found scattered across any sort of relatively flat hard bottom. Once you get offshore about 20 miles any sort of fish shows on your fish finder is worth dropping some lines down to the bottom and starting a drift. Stay with this plan and I'll guarantee you'll catch some red grouper.
Mangrove snapper will help put dinner on the table on the days the gags don't want to cooperate. You'll usually find the mangroves on the same bottom as gag grouper. When targeting mangrove snapper it's a good idea to use a lighter rod. I prefer a 20 to 30-pound rig. Snapper often will hit just about any natural bait when they are hungry. Although mangrove are the most commonly caught snapper for this area, with the cooler water temperatures look to catch others species such as mutton, yellow tail, lane, and vermilion.
Greater amberjack have been making a good show on the offshore wrecks. To catch the keepers, don't stop running west until you hit 100-foot of water or deeper. These big bruisers will make a believer out of anyone that's looking for a real battle. Amberjack can usually be found in areas around sunken structures such as wrecks, ledges, and springs. Live bait fish and or rapidly retrieved jigs or lures will get them fired up and feeding.
Well, good luck, good fishing, and I hope you all have a Happy New Year!
Remember if you're too busy to fishing you're just too busy. Get out and go fishin cuz' it's good fer ya!
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