Episode 4 - Targeting Grouper in the Central West Region with Capt. Geoff Page

 Right now, the red grouper season is open in the Gulf of Mexico, but gag grouper season doesn’t open until July 1, 2013. Those are the two most targeted grouper species in my region.

In May, our red grouper bite is pretty strong as long as you get out in at least 70 to 90 feet of water.  A lot of the bigger fish come in 110 to 160 feet of water.

September is not one of the top months for permit in my region, although we do catch a fair number of these fish. The best permit months in the East Region are from April through August, although we catch them year-round and do see a lot of the smaller fish mingling with the pompano schools in the winter months.

There are so many places you can launch a canoe or kayak and access great fishing in my region. Basically anywhere you can pull over next to the water is your next fishing spot. A lot of kayak anglers fish around the causeways in Tampa and do very well, but I really think they’re missing out on the true beauty of kayak and canoe fishing.

Sharks are one of the those species that you can catch inshore, offshore or from the beach in my region. The best stuff takes place fairly close to shore with blacktip, bull and the occasional great hammerhead shark, although if you’re looking for something exotic like a tiger shark or mako, then you really have to get out into the Gulf Stream to get that catch done.