Blue water predators are getting within day range of boaters in the Gulf. Anglers skipping rigged ballyhoo offshore of The Mexican Pride wreck, along the 20 fathom curve, have been consistently catching big mahi, Wahoo and sailfish.

   Laurence Hall, Don Mastry and friends had some blue water visitor’s bottom fishing for grouper and snapper in 100 feet. While dropping a light baited jig in their chum line for snapper Mastry and crew hooked and landed a 7 foot sailfish. The sail jumped 15 times in the 30 minute battle on light spinning tackle.

   Also included in the catch was a 20 pound bull dolphin, big red grouper to 20 pounds, a limit of gag grouper and lots of mango snapper in the 4-5 pound range. 

   Pompano has been the target for Capt. Billy Miller this week. Fishing around the passes and bridges near the mouth of Tampa Bay, Miller and his parties have been catching lots of big pompano on yellow and white banana jigs tipped with shrimp.

   After limiting on pompano Miller has been finishing out his mornings fishing with red hot light tackle fishing for Spanish mackerel and speckled trout.

   The Ft. Desoto Gulf Pier, Redington Pier and the Skyway have been giving land based anglers great action on mackerel, jacks and ladyfish. Casting silver spoons has been the most popular method of catching, but cut green back under a float has also been producing. A few pompano have also been caught by angers vertical jigging around the pilings.

   Capt. Kevin Walton reports great redfish action in Boca Ciega Bay. Along with the reds Walton has also been tearing up the grouper around shallow Tampa Bay structure.