Captain’s Corner for November 13 Dave Zalewski 397-8815

The recent series of cold fronts have made the fishing for several species red hot. Both red and gag grouper have began their heavy feeding activity in anticipation of a long hard winter season with a lack of abundant baitfish which will have migrated from our area seeking warmer water. Frozen squid and Spanish sardines are effective in getting the feeding activity started . Once that occurs, the use of a variety of live baits will usually trigger a strike from some of the larger fish which will be drawn in by the commotion. Pinfish, hardtails, squirrelfish are effective, but right now a small blue runner with part of its tail removed to slow it down seems to be working the best. Long runs are not necessary as the best activity is occurring in the 40 to 60 foot depths.
Kingfishing has been disappointing, with small scattered schools being encountered. Most of the kings that we have been catching have been on stinger rigged flatlines deployed with a frozen sardine while bottom fishing.. Spanish mackerel and barracuda fishing has filled the gap caused by the lack of kingfish. The larger mackerel are being caught within a mile if shore near the passes by using small spoons trolled behind #1 planers or freelined white bait or shrimp. The barracudas are feeding aggressively on slow trolled blue runners on all of the artificial reefs.