Amber Jack
Location:
Florida Gulf Coast (Bayport to Naples)
Visibility: (2 sections near shore and offshore)
Well it looks like the typical summer algae blooms and rain water run-off has finally caught up to us. Visibility inside 80ft has been somewhat hazy over the last week. Although it’s still plenty shootable, it isn’t the nice top to bottom visibility we’ve gotten used to over the last month or so. Offshore waters past 90ft have still been plenty clear though. The thermoclines that typically mess with the visibility out there have been mild, allowing the water to stay clear throughout the whole water column.
Wetsuit this week:
For most scenarios a light skin is all that is needed, mostly to serve as protection from sun and jellies.
Shark Factor:
As is the case during the summer, sharks are definitely present on just about any wreck or large structure right now. Fortunately, they haven’t been much of a nuisance to most divers but it’s always smart to play it safe around sharks, especially if they start to become aggressive.
Weapon of choice:
With visibility being somewhat limited a 110cm is plenty enough to get the job done and still take down a cobia or permit if need be. My last trip out I decided to only carry a polespear and it worked out great. The shallow wrecks have been swarming with large mangrove snapper but they have been shy as usual. A smaller gun for “hole hunting” is ideal for getting the larger snapper that like to hide deep down in the holes of the wrecks. For offshore hunting, the bigger the gun the better right now. Big African pompano and wahoo have been spotted on most of the deep structure starting around 150ft. You never want to be under-gunned when the fish of a lifetime swims by.
nice
Best Bets:
Your best bet right now for offshore would be to wait until the seas calm down a little bit and make the run out to some of the deep springs and wrecks in search of big pelagics. Even though red snapper is closed, the mangrove snappers are just coming off their spawn and should still be thick. Amberjack season just re-opened on August 1st too so now would be a good time to get a big trophy.
As far as inshore waters go, keep it simple! The small ledges and rock piles have been producing the most fish. The larger bottom structures have been hit hard all year and the fish have moved to areas of less pressure. Keep a close eye on the bottom machine in between spots, you never know when you will run across a honey hole! Don’t forget to always keep an eye out for lobster too. The season is officially open and reports have already been flowing in of guys getting nice ones off of St. Pete and Clearwater and even more off of Boca Grande.
Open Seasons of note: Don’t forget!!! Gag grouper is now closed through the end of the year with the possibility of a 2 month season later on in the year. Amberjack is now open so its game on for the big bruisers. Lobster season opened on the 6th so keep an eye out for the bugs.
Regulations and size limits for your area:
Be sure to check out the myfwc.com website to stay current on all the rules and regulations
Rumour has it:
The 46th Annual St. Pete Open is just a few weeks away. Not only is it the worlds largest spearfishing tournament, but it just so happens to be one of the biggest parties of the year for the west coast. Make it a point to at least catch the weigh in to see some monster fish. Who knows, maybe GR can make a repeat with another 80lb Cubera!
