AnglerArmory

What’s hot- With the Gag and Red Grouper closing for the next 2 months it’s that time of the year again to change gears and focus on some hot light tackle fishing offshore for Amber-Jack, Mangrove Snapper, Yellowtail Snapper and Lane Snapper.  The only good thing that is coming out of all of these new regulations is that they are making better anglers out of all of us.  We need to make every trip count, so trying new and different things is a great way to learn new tactics, thus leading you to better trips.

Tips- One new technique I have been using in recent years during the closure, is the use of chum.  Fisherman have been using chum for years, but in most cases just buy a couple of blocks and toss them in the water next to the boat and let them do their work.  The trick in using this chum to get bottom fish riled up is to get the chum on or near the bottom.  You achieve this when you tie the chum to your anchor before you deploy it.  A bit of light mono will do the trick.  You could also use a down-rigger and tie the block to the ball and let it down to the desired depth.  And still another way we achieve this is anchoring the boat about 50 yards or so up tide of the structure you are fishing and start a steady stream of 1 in. by 1 in. pieces of sardines over the side of the boat.

Tackle-  All snappers are notorious for having great eye sight, and being quite weary when they are feeding.  The best way to ensure a great bite is down size your tackle to loth weight spinning outfits with 10-15 lb. mono. on the reel and 15 lb. fluorocarbon for the leader.  A small circle hook will get the job done and thats it, no swivel, no lead.  A small plug of sardine floating down toward the structure with your hook in it will get their attention.  This works great for the Mangrove and Lane Snapper.
The Yellowtails or Flags on the other hand take a little different presentation.  Rigs are the same, locations are the same, but the bait is where you will increase your catch significantly.  The best bait for these fish I have found is a medium sized live shrimp.  Although these fish are in our all year, the larger concentrations of them will be caught during the late summer months after their mid-summer spawn.
   
    
	Capt Steve Papen                  
	Fintastic Charters
	(727)642-3411


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© 2008,2009,2010 Angler Armory What’s hot- With the Gag and Red Grouper closing for the next 2 months it’s that time of the year again to change gears and focus on some hot light tackle fishing offshore for Amber-Jack, Mangrove Snapper, Yellowtail Snapper and Lane Snapper. The only good thing that is coming out of all of these new regulations is that they are making better anglers out of all of us. We need to make every trip count, so trying new and different things is a great way to learn new tactics, thus leading you to better trips. Tips- One new technique I have been using in recent years during the closure, is the use of chum. Fisherman have been using chum for years, but in most cases just buy a couple of blocks and toss them in the water next to the boat and let them do their work. The trick in using this chum to get bottom fish riled up is to get the chum on or near the bottom. You achieve this when you tie the chum to your anchor before you deploy it. A bit of light mono will do the trick. You could also use a down-rigger and tie the block to the ball and let it down to the desired depth. And still another way we achieve this is anchoring the boat about 50 yards or so up tide of the structure you are fishing and start a steady stream of 1 in. by 1 in. pieces of sardines over the side of the boat. Tackle- All snappers are notorious for having great eye sight, and being quite weary when they are feeding. The best way to ensure a great bite is down size your tackle to loth weight spinning outfits with 10-15 lb. mono. on the reel and 15 lb. fluorocarbon for the leader. A small circle hook will get the job done and thats it, no swivel, no lead. A small plug of sardine floating down toward the structure with your hook in it will get their attention. This works great for the Mangrove and Lane Snapper. The Yellowtails or Flags on the other hand take a little different presentation. Rigs are the same, locations are the same, but the bait is where you will increase your catch significantly. The best bait for these fish I have found is a medium sized live shrimp. Although these fish are in our all year, the larger concentrations of them will be caught during the late summer months after their mid-summer spawn. Capt Steve Papen Fintastic Charters (727)642-3411