First timers catch big grouper off St.Pete beach

God I love this job…if you want to call it a job. Being a charter fishing guide in Tampa Bay can actually feel like a job from time to time, but Wednesday’s first 4-hour charter was all but that. Of course, for first-timers Darren, Mitzi, Mandy and Brandon from Shelbyville, Kentucky it was definitely a work-out. Pulling up Gag grouper can be a chore when these hard fighters really get turned on. Ask Brandon, check him out with girlfriend, Mandy, and his first two Gulf of Mexico fish ever!

We started out trolling for Spanish mackerel in the Egmont shipping channel with very little luck, and I mean little. Since we were booked for a second 4-hour trip in the afternoon, I decided to take these guys to a ‘honey hole’ and get business done on one stop. More fishing time, less travel time. Well, the fish were on fire. We caught both Red and Gag grouper, Porgies, Puffers and grunts(oh my!). Needless to say, this crew was going home with some good eats.

Expect fishing to get even hotter as the water temps reach the mid-70’s mark in Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. We are seeing the birds working and the bait starting to trickle in where it should be-the Kingfish are on their way, the Cobias are being caught and Spring is in full bloom. Call Jawbreaker Fishing Charters and let us put you on a spring-time ‘honey hole’ for all the rod-bending, fish-catching action you can handle! Happy Fishing to ya! Capt.Dan