Hey Folks,
The long awaited Gag Grouper / American Red Snapper Fishing Season has Finally Arrived!!

Couple notes and points before I get into my Offshore St Petersburg, FL / Tampa Bay Fishing Report..

Like last year, American Red Snapper Season has Two Separate Seasons for Fishing outside state waters, and remember, there are no Re Snapper inside State waters anywhere Near St Petersburg Florida..
First The recreational season
– Begins June 1st and ends June 9th.
Secondly, Charter Captain Season
– Begins June 1st and Ends July 19th
– ONLY FOR Charter Captains with a Valid Federal Permit!

For Both, the minimum Length is 16″ and Each Angler is permitted to keep 2 American Red Snapper. The Size Limit on Gag Grouper is 24″ and Each Anger is also allowed to keep 2. The Season on Gag Grouper is June 1st to December 31st for both recreational Fishing and Charter Captains.

As for the Offshore Tampa, FL Fishing Report…
The 1st 3 Days of the season the bite for Red Snapper (ARS) has been Sluggish West of the 40 Fathom (240ft) Break. The fish have been chewing, however the Moon Cycle has made Currents a little Stronger and the fish lethargic. On my offshore trips we have been Targeting the ARS around the Morning Solunar then peeling off to Hunt Gags when finished. The key to success has been Getting Lines on the fish and doing so While the fish are chewing early in the AM Around or before first light. Even though Gags and ARS live together on Most of our spots, Take the Time to Get the ARS in the box. Water Clarity West of the 40 Break has been spectacular. Fluorocarbon Leaders, Lighter weight (Which also poses a problem when fishing the currents) have been helpful. We have been fishing Dead Bait Exclusively for ARS.

Gag Grouper has been easy to target. Same rules as years past. Dead Bait to start, Live Bait to seal the deal. I like using a 100+ Pound Leader to keep from changing out knicked leaders all day. Scamp in this area have been easy targets. Dead or Live Sardine will get the job done.

One thing to note is Shark Activity has been an issue on some areas. Nothing worse then having a 8ft Lemon Shark pull up behind a 25 pound ARS just to rip it in two. Bring Plenty of Cold water to stay hydrated as the weather has been HOT and the Winds have been almost non existent the last three days. Eating a banana will keep any dehydration cramps away.

Heres Some Pictures from this Week, Remember.. Me and Capt Gene post all our Trip Pictures Daily on Facebook and Instagram.

/ Capt John
Island Lure Fishing Charters St. Pete Beach, FL
727-565-0202

And Now some Photos:

1/30/16 – Island Lure Fishing Charters – Offshore St. Pete Beach, FL Fishing Report

The bite has been spectacular and there’s no sign that it may slow down anytime in the near future. If anything, the recent cold fronts will push more fish into the area and the bite will get even hotter.

Between weather systems we have been targeting rock piles in 35-70Ft of water and having great success using live bait to target Mango Snapper, Porgy and of course Hog Fish. On these trips is customary to also get some nice hook ups on Grouper, Scamp and the occasional Trigger Fish.

As the weather from lat week settles down, I expect the water to clear up and the Bite to only get even better.

If your interested in Booking a Trip with spring break fast approaching, I suggest you do so ASAP as we are booking fast.

/ Capt John

Island Lure Fishing Charters
St. Petersburg, Florida

Although American Red Snapper season is coming to a close for Recreational Anglers (Closes June 10th), Island Lure is a Federally Permitted Vessel and will be fishing the “Charter Boat” Season which lasts until July 14th. Luckily the 2015 season has been the best in recent history. So far the weather has been 100% Perfect to get out and get far enough offshore to get into the bigger fish. Not to mention this year the bite has been spectacular!

One thing that I’ve found, and it especially holds true during the summer months, is that the early bird gets the worm. I like to be ready to get my lines in the water before 6 am. Once the sun gets up in the sky, it’s not uncommon for the Bite to turn off like someone hit a light switch.

I always tell my customers to wait on the picture because we never really know when the Bite will Stop.

Currently I’ve been working the 40 Fathom Break (240 Ft) looking for Natural Relief and also for Springs and Cracks. Finding Coral Heads is a bonus. The spots we have been fishing are generally overloaded with Amberjack and Almaco as well. Getting bait below those fish is key. When ARS fishing in these depths I do not fish life bait and prefer dead mackerel and sardines as the Jacks generally do not take to them well. If the jacks become too aggressive, Ill have someone up at the bow cast  a big live Pin forward and let the jacks school around it while we fish the back of the boat. In these depths it’s also not uncommon to have to deal with Large Sharks. Sometimes they become aggressive and eat our catch as we are reeling up. The solution for that is to bring some Bonita, Move up off our spot and drop a chum block or three along with pieces of Bonita.

In these depths its also not uncommon to run into nice schooly sized Mahi Mahi, Black Tin Tuna, Wahoo and of course billfish. So if you are gonna make the run 100 miles offshore, the key is to learn from your past mistakes and make sure you plan accordingly, having any type of gear and all types of bait.  // Capt. John

You Ready for the American Red Snapper Season? Our customers have been chomping at the bit to get on some of these GREAT fighting, top of the food chain fish!

We have these Fish Located and the BITE has been spectacular to say the least.  Currently we have been finding these Super-sized Red Snapper in the 180-240 depths. We have been also able to limit out quickly which has given us the ability to chase down Large Mangos and Good Size Red Grouper with the occasional 20+ pound Fire Trucks Mixed in. Targeting the deeper water has really been the ticket. Yes there are large numbers of Red Snapper in the shallower water, but our customers are expecting larger sized fish. During June and July all of our trips will be Deep Water Extended Day Trips. Typically fishing 100 Miles offshore.

Season for ARS is open June 1st through July 14th. During the Month of June we are able to Bag 2 ARS per person, 2 Red Grouper and 2 Scamp per person. We also have the ability for Many Mango and Vermilion which have been easy to target. B Liners in the 2-4 pound range are common and the Mangos have been in the 4-8 pound Range. Both have been easy pickings.

As for the Bonus, July 1st through the 14th, GAG grouper season opens which will give our clients the ability to target Both ARS and Two GAG to add to the Box with the Reds and Scamp (4 Grouper per head Aggregate is in effect).

Spots are nearly All Gone so please contact and books ASAP.

/ Capt. John

Weather is now finally cooperating with us and while the temperatures rise expect the fishing to quickly get hot!

Over the last couple days the Hogfish Bite has been exceptional as expected and many other great tasting table fare have also been fully cooperating with our anglers. We have been getting large numbers of good size Porgies to go with the Hogs. Live shrimp has been the ticket and downsizing your tackle will ensure more action.  Look for live bottom to find their home. For a quick change of pace, offering up a broken Sardine will fire up some good Red Grouper and Catch and Release Gags. A push out to 100 feet will result in regular keeper sized Red Grouper, but the Hogs will not be on the menu.

For the rest of the month expect the Hogfish to be the main target as they are just starting to spawn.

On our trip out yesterday (3/10/15) I noticed some ballyhoo on top. That means the Toothy Pelagics are on the way and should be beginning to show up any day now.

/ Capt. John