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Dolphin Are Starting To Show Up

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 20, 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.

Looks like the wind may finally die off just a bit. The past few days have seen a steady west to southwest wind that just didn't want to lie down. In spite of the brisk west winds, we did manage to run a couple trips over the weekend.

We found a good grouper bite in 70 to 80 feet due west of John's Pass. Limits of red grouper came easy with most running 7 to 12 pounds. The gag grouper were also chewing, although you had to cull through a bunch of shorts to get a few keepers.

There are a few scamp grouper around in this same depth but most fall short of the legal limit. Also mixed in were a few mangrove and yellowtail snapper and some quality porgies.

Dolphin are starting to show up in as little as 65 feet. Josh Hanna and family ran into a couple of schools of peanuts (1- to 3-pound dolphin) due west of the South County reef in 70 feet of water.

As waters continue to warm, dolphin will make their way into our area. Dolphin can be found holding around just about any kind of floating debris such as grass mats and boards, but most of the time they will find you.

Got to give kudos to Chino Perez, who, at age 77, managed not only to outfish his son Dan and grandson Hunter by catching more grouper than both combined, but he also managed to bag a 15-pound gag and a 28-pound amberjack.

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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