Venice Inlet and the Gulf of Mexico
Capt. Dave Pinkham
June 27, 2000
Venice - Saltwater Fishing Report
With the Gulf of Mexico’s water temperature in the high 80’s, I guess it’s safe to say summertime fishing is here. Grouper should be moving farther offshore seeking the cooler water. Over the past week we’ve had several good catches of red grouper out past 80’ deep. Don’t forget that the legal size limit on gag grouper has been increased to 22 inches. Red grouper have remained the same at 20 inches.
King mackerel are still scattered all up and down the coast; as a matter of fact this is the time of year that “smokers” are often caught free lining live baitfish such as thread herring. I always try to keep live bait out on the surface when we’re pounding the bottom for groupers. Little tunny have been on a feeding frenzy out pat 15 miles. If you’re looking for a battle with a hard fighting fish, bonito fill the bill.
Fishing over wrecks and the artificial reefs can be real productive this time of year. These fish havens often hold schools of bait, which in turn will draw larger fishes such as groupers, snappers, barracuda, kingfish, cobia, and of course Jewfish. You may consider a try at casting live crabs for permit and cobia.
Please remember to handle the fish to be released carefully.
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