OK, first the bad news – 10 days into gag grouper season, and I haven’t nailed a keeper. Yet. A few shorts, a few brutes that rocked up and cut me off, a few caught by other anglers, but no grouper nuggets for me. Yet….

But, still plenty of fresh fish each weekend. The Pass-A-Grille and St. Pete Beach mangrove snapper season continues to heat up. My brother and I caught over 100 last weekend, mostly 8-10 inches, but enough 12″+ fish for a two person limit. All you need is a good tide. Incoming or outgoing, doesn’t matter. Morning, mid-day, evening, doesn’t matter. As long as the tide is flowing, the snapper are biting. Live shrimp are the best bet, and they rarely last more than a few seconds once they reach the schooling fish. Small pinfish and greenbacks are the ticket for the larger fish. And, strangely, there are still flounder around! I saw three keepers, to 15″ within a 60 minute span Saturday. Snook are around, too.

Meanwhile, a shout out to Captain Greg Doherty, a Tampa Fishing Guide  and USCG licensed captain. If you’re looking to book a charter, give him a call!

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