NEAR SHORE
Near shore fishing off Johns Pass and Madeira Beach is offering a great mix of springtime action right now. We still have hogfish opportunities, the mackerel and kingfish action is solid, lane snapper are active and increasing, mangroves are mixed in, and red grouper are possible when fishing deeper near shore hard bottom. This is one of the best times of year to enjoy a true mixed bag because the water is warming, bait is moving, and multiple species are overlapping in the same general zones.
Hogfish remain a great target near shore, but the window is starting to narrow as water temperatures continue to rise. We should still have some good opportunities, especially when fishing 40 to 70 feet of water around smaller ledges, shell bottom, broken hard bottom, and lower-profile structure. Live shrimp remains the best bait. A 4000 to 5000 size spinning reel with 20 to 30 pound braid, a long 10 to 15 foot fluorocarbon leader around 30 pound test, a 3/0 to 4/0 hook, and 1 to 2 ounces of weight is a very reliable setup. The long leader helps keep the bait natural and away from the braided line, and the lighter presentation helps with these picky fish. Hogfish are not always the first fish to bite on a spot. Often you have to work through grunts, porgies, and other quick pickers before the hogfish move in or commit. Patience and persistence is key.
Mackerel are thick along the beaches and around near shore wrecks, reefs, hard bottom, and bait schools. This is fast-paced, exciting fishing and a great sign of spring. Spanish mackerel love fast-moving flashy baits, so spoons, small plugs, trolling feathers, and small jigs can all be effective. Trolling between bottom fishing spots can be a great way to locate them. When you see birds working or bait showering, get a bait or lure in the water quickly because the action can turn on and off fast. Mackerel are also a great species for families and newer anglers because they hit aggressively and fight hard on lighter tackle.
Kingfish are showing up as well, mostly schoolie-sized fish in the 15 to 25 pound range, but those fish are still plenty exciting and can make a near shore trip very memorable. Kingfish will often be found around bait schools, wrecks, reefs, artificial structure, and current edges. Slow trolling live baits, flat-lining sardines or threadfins, or pulling larger plugs and spoons can all produce. Keep a stinger rig ready if you are specifically targeting kings, and be ready for blistering first runs. If the Spanish mackerel are thick, the kingfish often will not be far behind.
Lane snapper are picking up near shore as the water warms. These fish are aggressive, great eating, and often willing to bite a variety of baits. Shrimp, squid, and cut threadfin are all productive. Larger lanes often prefer live shrimp or fresh-cut threadfin chunks. We typically see more consistent lane action as we move into deeper near shore waters, especially when there is enough current to keep bait moving. If the bite is fast, a simple bottom rig works well. If the fish are finicky, downsize your hook and bait piece and keep the presentation clean.
Mangrove snapper are still a little spotty near shore, but they become more consistent the deeper you go. The deeper near shore ledges, rock piles, and hard bottom areas are your best bet. Mangroves can be leader shy and bait picky, especially in clear water or after they have seen a few baits. Small chunks of threadfin, live shrimp, or small live baits can work. A lighter leader around 30 to 40 pound test, smaller hooks, and a natural presentation can make a big difference. Avoid oversized bait pieces unless you are specifically trying to pick off a larger fish.
Red grouper are occasionally coming up in deeper near shore waters. Near shore red grouper fishing often means sorting through smaller fish before finding a keeper, but it can still be productive when you fish the right bottom. Look for hard bottom, potholes, cracks, ledges, and areas with scattered life. Larger dead baits like whole squid, thick strips of cut bait, or live pinfish can help target better fish and avoid some of the small pickers. If you are getting a lot of short bites or small fish, move around until you find better structure or a more active area.
Cobia are also possible along the beaches and shallower near shore waters. These fish can appear suddenly around rays, turtles, buoys, markers, wrecks, and bait schools. Always keep a pitch rod ready with a live bait, eel-style artificial, bucktail, or soft plastic. Cobia can be curious, but they are not always quick to eat, so a calm presentation is important. Do not rush the cast, lead the fish, and keep the bait in front of them without spooking them.
OFFSHORE
Offshore fishing is producing a strong and diverse mix right now, with red grouper remaining the primary focus on many trips. We are seeing consistent catches out deeper, especially in that 120 to 180 foot range. That depth zone has been producing better average size and more consistent action when conditions allow us to get there. Red grouper love hard bottom, potholes, smaller ledges, cracks, and low-profile structure. Big dead baits like whole squid, octopus, bonita strips, and larger cut baits are top options. Quality live baits like pinfish, squirrelfish, grunts, or other hearty live offerings can also produce very well. Match your hook size to your bait size and use enough leader strength to pull fish away from structure.
Scamp grouper are occasionally coming up as we work deeper past 160 feet and beyond. Scamp are a prized catch because they are a bit more unique and excellent on the table. They often prefer medium-sized live baits like pinfish, but they will also eat cut threadfin and other well-presented baits while snapper fishing. A 6/0 to 7/0 hook with 50 to 60 pound leader is a good starting point. Scamp often relate tightly to quality structure, so paying attention to your bottom machine and staying on productive ledges is important.
Triggerfish action remains steady, and we tend to see them more commonly as we push deeper. Triggerfish are excellent eating and a fun target because they require a different approach. Their mouths are small, and they are experts at stealing bait. Small, narrow strips of squid, bonita, or other chewy bait work best. Keep the bait piece neat and compact, and use a smaller hook than you would for grouper. If you are missing bites, your bait is probably too large or your hook is too big.
Mangrove snapper have been steady overall, though we did see them slow down a little at the end of last week before bouncing back nicely on our midweek 39 hour trip. Mangroves can be very tide and moon dependent, and they are smart fish that often require a clean presentation. Cut threadfin on a double-snell rig remains one of the best ways to catch numbers of mangroves offshore. If you want larger fish, small live pinfish can be a great option. Around a full moon, the night bite can be especially good when current and bait line up. Pay close attention to leader size, bait size, and how naturally your bait is being presented on the bottom.
Yellowtail snapper are on fire offshore, especially out deeper, but we are also seeing them as shallow as 100 to 120 feet at times. Yellowtail love a natural presentation and often respond well to smaller baits. Thin strips of squid, small chunks of threadfin, and light chum can help get them going. Lighter leader, smaller hooks, and patience are important. If the fish are there but not committing, try downsizing your terminal tackle and letting the bait drift more naturally. Yellowtail can be one of the most exciting snapper bites offshore because they fight hard, look beautiful, and are excellent eating.
Mutton snapper are coming up occasionally offshore as well. These fish are always a welcome bonus and often show up when anglers are fishing live baits or well-presented cut baits around good structure. Muttons like a clean, natural presentation and may not always bite immediately when the boat sets up. Give a good area time, keep a lively bait near the bottom, and be ready for a strong, steady pull when one commits.
We are also seeing plenty of vermillion snapper, porgies, almaco jacks, lane snapper, and other heads and tails species offshore. These fish keep rods bent and coolers filled, and they are often a good indicator that you are on active bottom with plenty of life. Vermillion snapper often respond well to squid, small threadfin pieces, or chicken rigs in deeper water. Porgies will eat a wide variety of cut baits, while almacos often show up around higher relief structure and can be caught on bait or jigs.
Pelagic action is active offshore as well, with kingfish leading the charge and a few blackfin tuna in the mix. There are also chances for wahoo, cobia, and even the occasional sailfish when conditions line up. Keep an eye on birds, bait showers, color changes, current edges, and floating debris. A flat line or pitch rod can turn a good bottom fishing trip into an unforgettable one. Small trolling plugs, feathers, live baits, and jigs are all worth having ready. Spring offshore fishing can change quickly, and the crew that stays prepared often gets rewarded.
Overall, this is an exciting time to fish offshore out of Hubbard’s Marina. We have a strong bottom bite, improving pelagic opportunities, and the upcoming full moon should bring better night fishing chances. If the weather stays beautiful and the water keeps warming, we expect more and more action across the board.
Don’t forget, that we have some great videos on our fishing tips and tricks page here to show you how to target and rig for almost any species-> https://www.hubbardsmarina.com/fishing-tips/
For more fishing reports, photos, videos and more check out Hubbard’s Marina on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Tik Tok, Twitter, Pinterest or SnapChat just simply search @HubbardsMarina and do not forget our family motto, “If You’re too busy to go fishing, You’re just too busy!”
Thanks for reading and checking out our report!
Capt Dylan Hubbard,
Hubbard’s Marina
Call or Txt me anytime at (727)393-1947 | https://HubbardsMarina.com
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