Captain’s Corner for February 13 Dave Zalewski 397-8815 It appears that we can expect an early Spanish mackerel and kingfish season this year. Both of the Sunshine Skyway fishing piers are reporting daily catches of Spanish mackerel. Schools of baitfish of all sizes are beginning to show up both at bridges and offshore. The best indicator is the water temperature which this year has never dipped into the 50’s and now is currently hovering around the 65 degree mark. St Patrick’s Day (March 17) is when we traditionally see trolling season kick into high gear targeting cobia, kingfish, mackerel and bonita. Tip: Now is the time to carefully inspect trolling tackle. Tackle repair shops are not that busy and can give prompt attention to repairs. Rod guides should be checked for burrs and cracks that may not be readily visible by running a piece of nylon stocking through them. The stocking will hang up on the smallest of imperfection. Drags can be checked for smoothness by tying the line to a fixed object and pulling against it. Bottom fishing has been exceptional in the 40 to 60 foot depths. Grouper season (both red and gag) is closed and we have been targeting white grunts, mangrove snapper, trigger fish and sea bass on light tackle. These fish inhabit the same limestone bottom structure as grouper. When the grouper strike on the tackle used for the smaller reef fish it is definitely a challenge to the angler to land the fish for a photo and release moment. Tip: Deploy a live or frozen sardine on a flatline on every bottom stop. One or two kingfish have been striking on most days.