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Offshore Bite Picks Up As Weather Worsens

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By RANDY ROCHELLE

Published: October 27, 2008

Look for the offshore bite to pick up as our offshore weather takes a turn.

Nice, calm days will become a rare commodity as we get further into the fall season. The good news: Kingfish, amberjack, grouper, snapper and cobia are just a few of the species that are waiting to come home with you for dinner.

The kingfish bite has really been picking up with new schools of kings arriving daily. When looking for an area to target, consider the direction of the wind. If we have had a strong easterly wind, then hard bottom areas along the beaches will be hot. If the wind has been howling out of the west, you will want to run offshore until you find clean water, or fish the Channel between the Skyway and Egmont Key.

The grouper bite is also picking up as gag grouper continue to move into shallower water.

For gags, your best bet will be to hit ledges north of Clearwater in 50 to 80 feet.

For red grouper, ledges and areas of cheese bottom in 80 to 120 feet from due west of John's Pass southward will be the area you want to be.

Remember, choose your days wisely as the offshore Gulf waters can turn very ugly in a short amount of time.

Captain Randy Rochelle runs the "Gotta Go" out of St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 365-3218 or go to www.islandercharters.net.

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