Sunday Offshore Clearwater - Gags, ARS and Mutton sanpper!

releasegear

No real plan just going to take what the I can get. Seas were flat and cold - 52 as we headed out of CW pass.
First stop bait.? Got lucky as we headed west, spotted a single pelican dive about a mile north.. Ran over to him and it was loaded with pins, grunts. so nice

Water was dirty and cold - checked spots in 50 , 60 , 70 didnt like what i was seeing so decide to find warmer, blue water. As we got going ran over a cloud , spun around and loaded up on Spanish sardines. Well is stocked.

At 100 ft the water was blue and a warm 62......

Lot's of catch and release Gags, ARS and a first ever MUTTON SNAPPER for my son (iwe've them caught in the keys , never off Tampa) Only 1 small AJ , few small scamps.

CaptainBly

Nice....I caught a mutton on two trips in a row just before christmas. Never caught one before. I wasn't even sure what it is but have been hearing more reports lately of muttons being caught. I stayed in pretty close yesterday and the water was COLD and only little guys chewing but it was a beautiful day on the water.

releasegear

Hey Paul - yep saw bobs MG report has several muttons being caught..lets hope they become a regular catch! Found the cloudy water /blue water break at 85 ft..nice weedline formed. followed it for half mile or so but no signs of life. Had free lines out all day with no takers.

harbison

Great report with outstanding pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Mutton: We were fishing the Elbow, not the MG, in 150 feet of water. I know at least three muttons were caught. That's a lot for this area. We often go for weeks without seeing a mutton. When targeting muttons we fish off Fort Myers. Same with African pompano.
Would have thought those free lines would have produced tuna, they love colder weather.
I use 'MG & vicinity' because some would rather I do not be too specific. The Elbow is a relatively small area. The Florida Middle Grounds is vast at over 400 square miles. Both can be outstanding.

skyway ande

This is a Super Report!
Those smiles say everything!
Congratulations!
Love that picture of the 1st Gag! Freakin' Awsome!

LMK

Very Nice!!!!!