INSHORE GROUPER FLA WEST COAST

[AJ__17@BELLSOUTH.NET]

Anyone know of any prime locations to catch grouper around the Gandy or Skyway bridge in Tampa?I have a 50 gallon feul tank on a 20ft Mako, so staying within 10 miles of the coast would be preferred. All suggestions welcome<br /><br />-ART-

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: INSHORE GROUPER FLA WEST COAST

hey art. i also have a 20' mako, but i have 60 gallons. email me directly phatmanmike@yahoo.com<br /><br />you can get keeper size grouper in the shipping channel near egmont ket jusy off fort desoto, but email me anyways

 

[rolmops]

Re: INSHORE GROUPER FLA WEST COAST

Make sure to find out the difference between a regular grouper and a jew fish.The minimal size for jew fish is much larger than that of a grouper and they look very much alike.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: INSHORE GROUPER FLA WEST COAST

I was just out on the South County Reef (5.1 mi from Pass-a-Grille channel) and saw several grouper, a couple of kingfish, and some barracuda. We were diving the reef there. All of the Pinellas Reefs are pretty good fishing grounds. With 60 gallons you can go much farther than 10 miles. I've hit some of the reefs 30+ miles out on 60 gallons in an 18' CC with a 150. We need to get some of the locals together here!!!

 

[Bruce San]

Re: INSHORE GROUPER FLA WEST COAST

West coast Fl is the place to be! I love this time of year. My brother jumped a tarpon by the **** Misener bridge over the weekend. The same day my son caught a 4 foot shark and I had a trash can lid flounder in the boat among other things. Blue fish, mackrell, trout, a leopard ray, all from one anchor spot! Going out tomorrow after work.

 

[gstanton]

Re: INSHORE GROUPER FLA WEST COAST

Anybody willing to give the long & lat on the reefs?????

 

[Bruce San]

Re: INSHORE GROUPER FLA WEST COAST

G, go to the pinellas county untilities website there is a page called someting like "artificial reefs". All lat/long #s are listed with lots of other useful and interesting information about the reef program. I've printed a few of the pages and laminated them to take on the boat. It suplements the stored #s I have quite nicely.

 

[Bruce San]

Re: INSHORE GROUPER FLA WEST COAST

G, try this: pubgis.co.pinellas.fl.us/pcuweb_live/index.cfm

 

[gstanton]

Re: INSHORE GROUPER FLA WEST COAST

Thanks Bruce San... got it! And a lot of other useful info with it!

 

[Bruce San]

Re: INSHORE GROUPER FLA WEST COAST

You're welcome. Another source for some published #s is a chart put out by the magazine "Florida Sportsman". The local Wal-Mart has them on the shelf in the fishing section of the store.

 

[ufm82]

Re: INSHORE GROUPER FLA WEST COAST

rolmops- the jewfish, or the PC term, "goliath grouper" is a wholly protected species and cannot be harvested. They are easily distinguished from other groupers by their round tail. <br /><br /> Don't keep one or the FWC will want to speak with you and your wallet. <br /><br />UFM82

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: INSHORE GROUPER FLA WEST COAST

We need to get some of the locals together here!!!

Where and when? I'm headed up to Homossassa this weekend to do some scalloping. Took a trip to the middle grounds a couple of weeks ago. Real bummer to have to throw back almost every fish,(Red Grouper), you catch due to the recreational limit of 1 fish per person. You drive 3 hours out and have your limit in ten minutes :| Not enough Blacks and Gags to fill the fishbox. Got a few nice Red Snapper though.
I would love to have an iboats get-together, we should figure out a time and place.
Dave

 

[Bruce San]

Re: INSHORE GROUPER FLA WEST COAST

Here, here! How about a little trip to Egmont Key? Or Caledesi?

 

[Somethingfishy17]

Re: INSHORE GROUPER FLA WEST COAST

Besides using the above mentioned websites for artifical reefs, a good map to have on board is Waterproof Charts #155F. It can be found at West Marine, etc.

 

[ph222000]

Re: INSHORE GROUPER FLA WEST COAST

on the pinellas county web site they have all the man made reefs and plans for more

 

[BC ClearwaterFL]

Re: INSHORE GROUPER FLA WEST COAST

This from a day out at the skyway channel.

Fish On!!!

 

[KW196BR]

Re: INSHORE GROUPER FLA WEST COAST

Anyone have any good inshore fishing advice for the Destin area, locations/bait etc, for around Sept-Oct timeframe? Bought 196 Key West Bay Reef 1.5 years ago and I only have 27hrs on it due to overseas deployments which I'm currently deployed, retiring when I return so now maybe me and the boat can get acquainted...lol, need to put some hours on her. I don't have a fishfinder/gps yet but it is on the list to purchase, the few times I've been out didn't really catch anything worth mentioning and not comfortable enough with the boat to head past the jetti's yet so for now inshore fishing will have to do.

 

[Starcraftguy1]

Re: INSHORE GROUPER FLA WEST COAST

Nice photos BC. Looks fun.

 

[waynehol]

Re: INSHORE GROUPER FLA WEST COAST

Count me in on the Tampa bay area get together. How about a friendly iBoats forum member tournament?

 

[junior1113]

Re: INSHORE GROUPER FLA WEST COAST

got a 21" hydra sport with 200 horseys w 84 gal gas as u see. i go out to the middle grounds on a nice day of course i bring an extra 20 gal and seatow at hand. some say stupid some say crazy i say happy as for limit is always met. where is the tampa get together and when. very interested