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Be Flexible; Mix It Up If Needed

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 29, 2008

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.

Once again, foul weather has keep most of us bottom diggers sitting on the sidelines waiting on a nice day. A few hardcore soles ventured out recently and from their reports, the bite continues to be fairly consistent.

From Sarasota to north of Tarpon Springs, the best depth is still in the 50- to 90-foot range. Rule of thumb here is the further south you fish, the closer to the 90-foot mark you'll find the hot bite.

The rest of the week is looking fairly good weather- wise and seas should be running about 2 to 3 feet inside 20 nautical miles and 2 to 4 feet outside 20 nautical miles. This forecast should hold through Friday.

For those fishing around the Egmont Channel, there has been a strong grouper bite in 45 to 65 feet of water 4 to 5 miles south of the channel. Gag, red and scamp grouper have been chewing, along with a good mix of other bottom fish.

Remember, all fish don't feed all the time. To give yourself your best shot at a cooler full of fish, try varying your bait and tackle sizes. If you're dropping large baits on heavy tackle, you may miss out on a hot snapper bite. Being flexible can mean the difference between coming home with a couple of grouper or coming home with a couple of grouper, some snapper, a few scamp and an assortment of other bottom dwellers.

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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