Well, its September and normally we are excited about the return of Redfish “schooling” season but this year the hype is a little different. Its Gag Grouper season! The much anticipated 2-week window is upon us and its time to collect your bounty. Whether you are fishing the shallower edges of the bay or the deeper stretches of the Gulf, there are plenty of fish to be harvested.

I spend most of my time exclusively in the bay fishing for Grouper. Over the years, we have learned to mix things up and target them in a few different ways. I typically pay close attention to the tides when planning or even making decisions throughout the course of a trip to maximize our success. On the slower (slack) tides I prefer to use Live Pinfish with as little weight as possible (if any) to get to the bottom. Most of the target areas are covered with rocks. A traditional 3-4 oz knocker rig will keep you pulling on the bottom more than fish. As a general rule of thumb, I try to keep less than 1oz or less on the rigs. I’ve found that if you need much more than that – you are starting to fight the tide. Its time to move to a different area or switch gears and do some trolling.

The older I get, the more I like trolling. It’s a great way to mix it up and catch some really nice fish along the channels and rock piles in the bay. When the stars align – it can be epic. One of my favorite baits that we’ve grown to trust are the X-Rap trolling lures from Rapala. They have a huge assortment of colors and diving depths to fit your liking. For me, anything in the 15-25 ft working range will get the job done. 4-5 mph trolling speed is generally a good starting point but don’t be locked in on a target speed. Pay attention to your rod tips and find a speed that produces a consistent, steady action on the rod tip. In time, you will be able to watch the rods and adjust speed accordingly. Remember to always make sure to use adequate leader size for your trolling plugs. It is not uncommon to hang them up frequently when working a shallow area. It’s always a bonus to spin around and pull one out of the structure without having it break-off – especially at $40 a piece! 60-80 lb fluorocarbon will do the trick.

The Suzuki Repower Fishing Report is sponsored by Suzuki Repower and Mastry Engine Center.

Capt. Travis Yaeckel
Instinct Fishing Co.
813-830-FISH
www.fishbyinstinct.com
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Capt. Travis Yaeckel owns and operates a local Fishing Charter business, Instinct Fishing Co. based in Ruskin, Florida. Born at Tampa General Hospital and growing up along the South Shore of Tampa Bay, Capt. Travis has spent most of his life fishing the waters he now guides for a living. When you book a trip with Travis, your memories begin from his dock and headquarters at The Resort & Club at Little Harbor Village Marina | Slip F1 adjacent to Harborside Suites.

From there you will be greeted with a clean charter boat, rigged rods, a live well full of fresh caught bait, a cooler full of ice and water, and most importantly a full-time professional fishing guide – ready to fish! After a short idle through the marina, your personal quest for the fish of your dreams or just an exciting day on the water begins. Year round he provides clients with all-inclusive inshore and backcountry fishing trips for Snook, Redfish, Trout, & Tarpon. Depending on the tide, weather conditions, moon phase, and time of year, you will fish the flats, bays, creeks, and rivers that makeup the unique estuary we call Tampa Bay.