Thread: Saltwater "Slab" Report: Tampa

I just had to post something, didn't make it to freshwater last weekend, yard work on Saturday and had a diving trip planned on Sunday out of Tampa with some buddies. Our target was what I call the “saltwater slab” or Hogfish (hog snapper, even though they are not in the snapper family, actually in the wrasse family). Hogs and crappie similar body types (similar lateral compression; redneck translation: they clean nearly the same, meat is very white also). Anyways here’s the story.

I asked a buddy what the water temps were supposed to be and he told me 70 degrees, a quick look back at my dive log confirmed my suspicion. Last spring when the water was 70F we saw a bunch of large bullsharks while diving. So I figured similar water temps would yield similar shark activity. About 10 minutes into the first dive a 7’ bullshark showed up and ended the dive. Moved about a half mile away, same story. Dove 2 other spots and didn’t see any sharks. Ended up (spearfishing) shooting limit of hogfish and 2 red grouper.

By now its only 10:30, so we can’t go in yet, we put out some stretch 15’ plugs (we are in 45’ fow) targeting kingfish trolling around 4mph. One of the rods bounces slightly, I pick up the rod and could tell there was something very small on, maybe a sea bass or lizardfish, but something tiny, next thing I know there’s an explosion behind the boat and line is ripping off the reel. We get the boat turned and steam after it, about 5 minutes later we gaffed a nice kingfish (estimated near 30lbs). I’m thinking we hooked a small fish and the king came up and ate the hooked fish, when we got the king up it was foul hooked near the tail, so we were pretty lucky to get him in. Kept trolling for alittle and caught a small gag grouper (which are out of season on the Gulf Coast). Great Day on the Water. Grouper, Hogfish and kingfish pictured below.

Good sized Hogfish Mister. They are one of the most beautiful fish IMHO. The top fin has a trailer that is really pretty. They're prettiest on the table though. Thanks for sharing.