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Small Kings, Gags Still Chewing

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 6, 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.

Anglers fishing to the north of our area report the gag grouper are still chewing. Jack Hexter and crew ran to the west out of the Cotee and made drops on several spots. Even though the bite was slow, they still managed to box 14 keeper gags to 27 inches.

Further south, we managed to box a nice mix of grouper, snapper, jacks and kingfish. Our first stop was near the end of the Egmont Channel at Markers 1 and 2. Kingfish have been thick on this spot and this trip was no exception.

After that, we bounced around from ledge to ledge in 60 to 80 feet catching grouper, snapper and other assorted bottom dwellers. Our last stop was a wreck in 120 feet of water. The amberjack were thick and it didn't take long to box a limit of 20- to 25-pound jacks.

Red snapper continue to frustrate bottom fishermen. Jeff Newberg and family fished the Pipe on a recent trip. Newberg stated that he ran into them at every spot they fished. Most of the fish are in the 4- to 8-pound class with a few running 10 to 14 pounds. We did manage to boat some decent grouper by dropping very large live baits, but even the large baits sometimes were inhaled by a big red snapper.

Kingfish are still chewing although bigger fish have been hard to come by.

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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