'Tis the Season to Be Jolly, and Catch the Big Grouper...
Yes, Christmas comes in December, we all know that, but there is more to December off Anna Maria Island than Christmas...
and its called Gag Grouper!
According to Larry McGuire of Show Me The Fish Charters, December is not just about the Christmas holidays, its also about fishing.
Of course every month is about fishing for Larry, but December is special.
That's because gag grouper are at their peak.
The gag grouper is a drab, mottled gray fish. It has a pattern of markings which resemble the box-shaped spots of the black grouper, while lacking the distinguishing features of other groupers such as the streamer-points on the tail fin of scamp and yellow mouth grouper.
Gag grouper also lack the yellow coloration around the mouth.
Ten to twenty-pound fish are common, with the world record sitting at 80 lb 6 oz.
Now that's one Big Fish!
The gag grouper is a bottom feeder and is often caught by fishermen seeking bottom-dwelling species such as snappers.
But its December, and the gag grouper are in abundance for catching... and It has flaky white meat that is delicious to eat!
These bad boys tend to migrate and move into the 'hood'. In other words, closer into the gulf, where they are easier to snag.
You look for them anywhere there are rocks, ledges, or structures.
Larry says, "This goes from the Tampa Bay shipping channel to 250 ft offshore. Personally, I fish for them from 40 to 130 ft, and on some days catch a limit without traveling farther than 60 ft."
That means less travel time, and more quality fishing time!
"On the days I don't have a charter, I'll still go out fishing because it's just THAT good in December."
A valuable tip for catching them, is to start out with some frozen sardines and a squid combination. That gets a magical scent going on which gets them coming in, and once they do start biting, drop down a live pinfish, sandperch or even a grunt for dessert... and get ready!
"When that monster grouper hits, it's like being hit by the Rock on WWE Smackdown. He will bruise you and abuse you!"
"Your rod will bend over, and that's when you need to start cranking the reel as hard and fast as you can, raising it up. Otherwise, he will take you down into the rocks and break your line. My personal term for that kind of action is 'taking you to school'."
"I've seen guys bent over the side of the boat, rods bent almost around the bottom of the boat when that big grouper hits and they lose control. My first mate and I always try to assist someone before the situation gets that extreme. It's much like lifting heavy weights... sometimes you just need a spotter."
Yes, it's gag grouper season boys and girls, with plenty of large red grouper, monster mangrove snapper, cobia and even kingfish if we have a warm winter.
It's an adrenaline rush out there!
Amberjack too will be moving in closer and feeding better as the water temperature cools, but they're out of season until January.
Remember to watch the rule book very closely, because regulations are always changing.
This time of year, there could be a front moving through every week, and you need to be ready to fish in that window of opportunity. There's usually a few calm days in between, and you wouldn't want to miss that awesome fishing trip of a lifetime you've always dreamed of!
Now is the time to come and get that Christmas present-- a big gag grouper!
Have a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!
Show Me
The Fish Charters
Cell: 941-720-6475
E-mail:
captlarrymcguire@gmail.com
Operating out of the Cortez Fshing Center,
Bradenton, Fl.
Learn more about Larry McGuire.
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