Red Grouper

Capt. Frank Bourgeois
May 2, 2013
Hernando Beach - Saltwater Fishing Report

The red grouper is the only grouper you can target here in Hernando County because unlike the rest of the state the water is very shallow. We can catch over 50 short grouper here with only one or two keepers within twenty five miles from shore. With the right boat and a boat ride of forty to fifty miles you can limit out everyone with their two grouper. Gag grouper on the other hand is the predominate species for this area. We have been catching many gag grouper over thirty inches and have to release them as the season is closed. Seems a shame to spend the money to go fishing and have to throw dinner back.
Trout fishing is slow for this time of year. In fact this has been the worst trout year I have had in the offshore flats. The backwater fishing has been on the other hand doing well. Maybe the government does not know what is happening in all their wisdom. Many fishermen have been doing well and a lot have struggled to catch dinner. I have been using soft plastic baits made by Saltwater Assassins and DOA and found that my catch ratio is better than that of live shrimp fishermen.
Last is fly fishing. We are about to see the Tarpon coming into Bayport to Crystal River. Please be courteous to the fishermen around you as these fish are very spooky. No one wants to mess your chance to catch one of these fine fishes and you should feel the same way. If you want to learn more about fly fishing and your thinking of learning check out the national org. Fly fishing Federation (FFF) here is a link for you ….Check it out TCFF! And please pass it forward
http://fedflyfishers.org/Councils/Florida/EXPO.aspx

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• All Reports by Capt. Frank Bourgeois
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