Vortex Charters Fishing Report
07-30-2003
Captain Chuck MacIntyre
Vortex Charters of Tampa Bay
www.vortexcharters.com
Normally, summer allows for long runs into the Gulf with flat seas. You usually can count on the thunderstorms to manifest themselves later in the day as the cool easterly breeze meets the water Gulf waters. This year, Mother Nature has thrown us a curve.
With midnight storms lasting well into the morning hours, coupled with stronger-than-usual Southwesterly winds, getting offshore has been a game of patience.
But it will pay off if you play your cards right.
This past weekend, we took advantage of the light southeast winds and may our way out to an area of Swiss-cheese bottom in 100 feet. Along with the usual assortment of Red Grouper, we found a group of large Sea Bass willing to take any offering we sent down.
Sea Bass are known for their white mild meat and my clients were delighted to put one half dozen in the box that exceeded 18 inches.
We also found a few Scamp, a delectable cousin of the Grouper in the same area.
By downsizing our tackle, we were able to make a good day out of what would have been otherwise uneventful.
Because the winds had broken up the weed lines, there was no mahi-mahi to be found this past week.
Good Fishin’ to ya!
Capt. Chuck
www.vortexcharters.com