NEARSHORE
Near shore is setting up nicely for a classic winter lineup, and once the seas lay down after Sunday night’s front, the bite should rebound nicely once water clears up. Hogfish remain the star of the show when water temps cool. They’re not the fastest biters in the neighborhood, so the name of the game is a clean presentation and patience. Fish live shrimp on lighter tackle with a long top shot on top of your braid (10–15 feet of fluorocarbon is ideal) and a small-to-medium hook. We like 30 lb fluoro, a 3/0–4/0 hook, and just enough weight (often 1–2 oz) to keep you on bottom. When the bite is tough, downsize the weight and let the shrimp move more naturally.
Lane snapper are still a dependable bite, especially as you slide deeper and find better bottom and more consistent current. Expect them to key in on squid chunks, shrimp, and small pieces of cut threadfin. If you want the bigger lanes, live shrimp and cut threadfin are tough to beat — and be ready, because when lanes fire up it can be fast and furious.
Mangrove snapper are more hit-and-miss near shore compared to deeper water, but the deeper you go (and the more structure you find), the more consistent they become. Keep a few leader sizes ready: when they’re chewing, 30–40 lb is fine; when they get finicky after a front, dropping down and using smaller baits can turn the tide in your favor.
Red grouper are possible near shore, but typically the numbers and average size improve the farther you push out. If you’re hunting a keeper near shore, focus your best hard bottom and ledge pieces and fish bigger offerings: live pinfish, whole squid, or stout strips of cut bait. You’ll often have to sort through smaller fish, but bigger baits help you avoid the ‘peanuts’ and find the right bite.
OFFSHORE
Offshore opportunities should improve as soon as we can safely capitalize on the weather window after this front. Red grouper continue to be a top target, and they’ve been responding best to bigger, meatier offerings: whole squid, octopus, bonita strips, and lively baits when you can keep them frisky. Work the hard bottom, potholes, and ledge edges, and don’t be afraid to stick and move until you find the right life on the spot.
Scamp grouper have been a great bonus fish on the deeper pieces. Medium pinfish and cut threadfin on a 6/0–7/0 hook with 50–60 lb leader has been a reliable setup. If you’re consistently catching smaller fish, adjust your hook size and bait size upward — and shift slightly off the thickest part of the school to find a better class of fish.
Mangrove snapper offshore stay consistent, especially once you’re in that deeper, cleaner water. A double-snell rig with cut threadfin is a proven producer when you want numbers. If you’re hunting a true ‘stud’ mangrove, keep a few small live pinfish ready and be patient — those bigger fish often show up once the quick biters thin out.
Yellowtail snapper and mutton snapper continue to show deeper and in the right conditions around dawn, dusk, and at night. Yellowtail love lighter leader and smaller baits — think 40 lb leader, 5/0–6/0 hooks, and thin strips of squid or small threadfin chunks. Mutton snapper are a different animal: they like a more substantial meal, and they often reward anglers who put in the time with live bait and clean presentation.
Triggerfish are right around the corner from reopening, and when they pop back open they’ll add a delicious option to the offshore mix. Keep your bait strips small and chewy — a little squid or bonita strip is perfect — and remember their mouths are small, so bait size matters as much as hook size.
Pelagic action remains in play. If you’ve got mahi, tuna, wahoo, or kingfish on your mind, have a pitch rod ready and keep an eye out for scattered bait, color changes, and surface activity. A calm day after a front can light this up in a hurry — and those are the days we live for out of Johns Pass.
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
To watch the video, click Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjUIcg25ntg
To read the full report, click here: https://www.hubbardsmarina.com/hubbards-marina-fishing-report-2-21-26/