Venice Inlet and the Gulf of Mexico
Capt. Dave Pinkham
February 1, 2006
Venice - Saltwater Fishing Report
February should offer up some good gulf fishing
So far this winter season the fishing has been decent, and I would expect as we move into February the action to get nothing but better. Of course, the key to catching fish is knowing what species to go after, and how to target them. This holds true in any fishery regardless of where you are. With that said, following is a fishing forecast for the month of February.
- Gag Grouper should continue to be one of the main fish to target on the gulf this month. In fact, February is one of the best months of the year for catching gags. Look to find them holding on just about any decent bottom structure. Depending on the day and the conditions, the gags should fall for both live and cut baits. As the water temperature starts to warm up toward the end of the month, trolling deep diving lures as well as large planning boards with big spoons will also produce some hefty gag groupers. Often the key to finding a good school of gag groupers will be by moving from one fishing hole to another. Passing cold fronts should get the gags moving and feeding so try fishing after the front allows.
- Red grouper fishing out on the Gulf is dependable most of the year. Generally, to catch a 20" minimum keeper generally requires fishing out in water depths of at least 60' or deeper. If you're looking for the big ones in the 10 to 20 pound class then plan on fishing out in deeper waters. The most important key to catching red grouper is to make sure your bait gets down to the bottom where the fish live. Remember, groupers are bottom fish, so make sure you put enough weight on to get your bait down quickly. The more bottom time with your bait, the better your chances of catching fish.
- Mangrove snappers, yellow tail snappers, lane snappers, trigger fish, and other reef species such as porgies and white grunts will be hanging around just about any type of hard bottom such as the artificial reefs, natural ledges, or any other structure you can locate. Lighter tackle baited up with shrimp or cut bait will often get these fish turned on. Once again, be sure your bait is fished near or on the bottom.
- Greater Amberjack fishing has been dependable all winter, and should continue to be good into the spring. These big brawlers like to hang out around the deeper shipwrecks, spring holes, and big ledges out past 90' of water. A good lively bait is hard to beat. These same areas that hold the AJ's will also attract other species such as blackfin tuna, shark, Goliath groupers, and cobia.
- King and Spanish mackerel may make a showing toward the end of the month. This really depends on if the weather and the waters temperatures continue warming up. We'll be sure to let you know when we start catching mackerels again.
Remember, if you're too busy to go fishing you're just too busy! Get out and go fishin cuz' it's good fer ya!
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