Vortex Charters Fishing Report
05-14-2003
Captain Chuck MacIntyre
Vortex Charters of Tampa Bay
www.vortexcharters.com
Even though the Kingfish run is still going strong, numerous other angling opportunities exist on the West Coast. Namely, Grouper.
The warming of local waters has brought the Red Grouper population into their summer haunts in 80-100 feet of water. Bring plenty of live bait as the larger 10-15 ponders have been taken by live pinfish and grunts.
This past week, anglers Lewayne Jordan and friend Mark F. from Winterhaven caught a few red and gag grouper before heading over to a local reef for some Kingfish/Spanish Mackerel action.
After Mark boated a 5 pound Mack, we settled in to bottom fish an area where a couple other boats were hooked up to big fish.
Turns out, the Goliath Groupers were in a feeding mode as we witnessed an 80 pounder brought up by the next boat.
It wasn’t long before Lewayne was into a big fish—turned out to be a 10 foot Nurse Shark.
Not a bad way to end the day.
Inshore, Tarpon and Snook are being caught near the local bridges and passes.
Expect the action to only get better as summer progresses.
We jumped 3 Sunday at the Skyway using large Threadfins.
Capt. Chuck
www.vortexcharters.com
