Gag grouper are still the main prize for the offshore angler but there is another fish out there that looks really good in the fish box and on the table…black sea bass! They will begin to cluster up getting ready for the winter spawn. The males are distinctive as they develop a large hump on their heads and get some dazzling colors such as cobalt blue stripes along the cheeks. Females are somewhat smaller and have a greenish coloration. Oddly, as with some of the grouper species, the females can morph into males depending on the number of breeders in the population. Although not a large fish, the Florida state record is 5 lb. 1 oz. I have a good friend that is a committed grouper fisherman, but when the cold weather comes and the “Hump Heads” show up, he is all about catching them because they are delicious to eat. White sweet meat is the draw for these fish and the legal take is large at 100 pounds per harvester; that’s a lot of fish to clean even if you use the electric knife, which does make the task easier. They can be caught in shallow water but you’ll find smaller fish there where as the larger fish inhabit depths from 20 to 80 feet. Legal size is 10 inches but I find fish in the 12 inch or greater are worth the effort.
Redfish seem to get frisky when the water temps drop. Schools will congregate along the Gulf side beaches and sometimes run with mullet which makes finding them easier…just look for mullet flipping on the surface. Jigs and flies can be sight fished on these schools making for some fun action.
Flounder are all over any structure and small live bait fished with a dropper rig can do the job. Trout too are in motion as they start to move to inshore and river systems to escape the colder water of winter. Here’s a really good tip for finding these migrating fish; try slow trolling a plug along the river mouths and up the deeper river bends. When a trout hits, mark the spot, return and drop baits where the hit was….you should be on the school then.
Sheepshead will also be on the move. Look around dock pilings or other structure from shore. This is a way to fish from shore if you don’t have a boat and a simple rig with a piece of shrimp on a light hook can get’m! Remember, they have a gentle bite so setting the hook is slow and even. Some of these fish can reach 4- to 6-pounds and are great table fare.
Be careful on the water, hyperthermia sets in quickly when the temperature is below 70 degrees.
Good luck out there and be safe.
CAPT. CHESTER REESE
Natural World Charters
(850) 228-9060
www.naturalworldcharters.com