It’s going off!! One of the most difficult decisions right now is what to fish for. Kingfish, large spanish mackerel and snapper are just a few miles off the beach. Locating large schools of threadfin herring is the key to locating the kings. Some schools will be devoid of fish, but others with be under constant attack. Kingfish will generally eat when located so keep searching out schools of bait until the rods bend. Slow trolling for these fish on light tackle can provide great sport…spinning rods spooled with 20 lbs test are perfect. If a big one is hooked, it may require some chasing, but that’s all part of the excitement.

Returning inshore, big seatrout are still available and, for the last several weeks, it has been limit fishing every day, with most fish ranging from 17 to 21 inches. Live whitebait and pinfish have both been productive, with a slight advantage going to the silver ones. Both free-lining and bobbering baits have worked equally well. Snook are moving out of the backwaters and, with the recent uptick in temperatures over the last week, are getting more active. Although still not easy to catch, taking a little time during each charter to target them can yeild a quality fish or two. Redfishing is hitting it’s stride. With winter’s cold fronts safely behind us, good redfishing is here to stay for months to come. Fishing the mangrove shorelines on the higher phases of the tide has resulted in excellent catches of upper and over slot fish over the course of the last week. Pinfish and cut baits tossed close to the cover have been the ticket. Good luck and good fishing.

Captain Stewart Ames
GONE FISHING CHARTERS
P.O. Box 541
Crystal Beach, Florida 34681
727 421-5291
https://tampa-fishing-charter.com

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