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Offshore Grouper Bite Is On

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 25, 2007

Updated: 12/24/2007 08:23 pm

GO FISHING is a daily look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Randy Rochelle.

We've made it almost through December and only a couple of strong fronts have managed to push through our area. With Gulf water temperatures still holding at or just above the 70-degree mark, the offshore bite should remain consistent.

Judging by my recent trips and the reports that I'm getting, the hot bite is still in the 60- to 100-foot range. The hottest bite remains off Tarpon Springs and northward.

Fishing some ledges southwest of the Whistler buoy produced a nice box of gag, red and scamp grouper, kingfish, snapper and grunts. Most of the fish with the exception of the bigger grouper were taken on cut bait, mainly Spanish sardines.
Captain Tommy Laronge said he crushed the grouper due west of Clearwater in 90 to 100 feet of water. He said it took a little more than half a morning to box a limit of gag and red grouper to 20 pounds. He said it really didn't matter what you put down for bait; it got nailed before it hit bottom.

Laronge said the only fish missing are the mangos. Mangrove snapper have been elusive the past month. You can pick up a couple here and there but finding them bunched up has been difficult.

The offshore bite will remain hot until cold fronts start rolling through on a regular basis and cooling both Gulf water temperatures and a hot offshore bite.
Captain Randy Rochelle runs the Gotta Go out of St. Pete

and can be reached at

(727) 365-3218 or go to

93islandercharters.net.

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