Grouper fishing out of St.Pete beach paid off for the Ingrams. Visiting from Dallas, Texas, Jeff and Cathy Ingram had one thing in mind...'Texas-size' groupers. Well, they wanted to sample everything that offshore fishing from Tampa Bay provides this time of year. With some of the nicest weather we have had all year, and a livewell full of bait, we headed out into the beautiful Gulf of Mexico to round-up some dinner.
Trolling for mackerel at the St.Pete reef was a bit slow, and the fish were a bit small. After some radio advice from another captain, we headed out to the Betty Rose where the bigger fish were feeding. Instantly we started catching Spanish mackerel in the 3-5 pound range, and of course, we fed a few Barracuda while doing so. Jeff did manage to boat one cuda' before we headed out to the Grouper fishing grounds.
Bottom fishing for grouper around Tampa is usually a challenge this time of year with the warm water temps, however, Saturday was different. The fish were very cooperative from the get go. Jeff put his first Gag grouper in the box and it was a fish to be proud of at a wopping 18 pounds! Cathy followed up with a 15 pounder, Nick followed that with another 15 pounder and this was how the day went. There seemed to be a tad bit of competition going on here, and in the end...Cathy won! Check out our photo gallery and see Cathy with her 50 pound Goliath grouper...nice job Cat!
The next time you get the itching to go fishing in the Tampa Bay/ St.Pete beach area, call Jawbreaker fishing charters. We will do everything we can to make it a trip of a lifetime. Our long list of repeat customers can't be wrong! Happy fishing to ya, Capt. Dan