Black sea bass, grunts out of Keaton ?

[JimR]

Not asking for grouper numbers guys , just a little push in the right direction. My BIL is bringing his father and we would like to head offshore if the weather holds out and the trout ain't bitin'. What heading and how far, water depth etc would be appreciated as well as terminal tackle recommendations, bait suggestions.... I have no experience with this kind of fishing so please be gentle. Anybody know if the sheepshead are still at Steinhatchee reef ? Thanks . FWIW we will probably have two boats, a KW1720 and a KW 196 so we won't want to go where the big boys play.

[dstockwell]

Not sure how far your gonna have to run for Grunts, cause if they are with the Grouper, then thats a ride.. 20 miles.. Now for a chance at variety, Macks, Trout, Seabass you can always go to Nine Mile Bank. Its a big sandbar out in the middle of no where, and at low you can see it, and is pretty big. Depths are from real shallow to 12 maybe 14 feet. The Seahag site is showing al these being caught, so if you can get to the Steinhatchee reef early, that could be a good bet. http://www.seahag.com

9 Mile bank - 29° 41.10'N 83° 34.60'W
Stein Reef - 29° 40.005'N 83°37.602'W

[JimR]

Thanks Ds. I think I have 9 mile bank in my gps but I'll mark that numberanyway. We may give that a try if the trout are still slow. Do grunts usually hand out with grouper ?

[chugbug]

head out *240 off of one to 25' (12 miles or so)and look for fuzzy bottom. Go a little deeper 40+ and you will get grunts and Grouper.

[JimR]

Thanks Chugbug. Here's a on me.

[Fish Masterson]

The Sheephead are definately on the Steinhatchee reef as of last Sunday. I saw a full cooler of nice sized ones at the Keaton ramp.
Made me wish I had gone after them instead off pickin off stragler Trout all day.

[Chalk]

Speaking of stragglers where is your report FM?

[Fish Masterson]

It was a two liner that I tossed in under Ds's report for Keaton . Wasn't much to report.
Fish Masterson