Posted 4.29.08
A variety of species have been available both inshore and offshore creating a mixed bag at the end of the day. The majority of my trips run recently have been along the beaches, out to the near shore artificial reefs, wrecks, and to hard bottom or rocky areas. We've caught kingfish, Spanish mackerel, sharks, barracuda, and amberjack with consistency. Scaling tackle down to 10-pound test spinning rods has kept it fun and challenging. On a deeper wreck with AJ's we did have to step it up to 20-pound spinning gear however, which is still considered light for that particular species.
The big fish of the week was about a 10-foot hammer head shark that ate a 6-pound crevalle jack that was put out for bait on 80-pound gear. We didn't actually land it, but we had it to the boat twice before it chewed through the 250-pound test mono leader.
Inshore trips have focused on the big-3, redfish, trout, and snook. Red fishing has been good but crowded. Everyone seems to know where the schools are and aren't shy about trying to fit as many boats around them as possible. Trout fishing has come a long way in recent months and is pretty good for this time of year. The snook have been a little spread out this spring but consistent weather patterns are finally bringing them together in their typical hangouts.
Finally, the answer to the question everyone has been asking- the cobia are here. We caught several over an artificial reef last weekend.
1995 - 2008 Mel-Fin Corp. All rights reserved.