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

Our six hour trips have given families with children to experience all of the world class fishing that our area has to offer. On a typical day we will leave the dock with Frozen sardines and squid in the bait cooler and stop about 1 1/2 miles out into the gulf over a patch of limestone bottom to fish for pinfish, squirrelfish, Spanish sardines and threadfins with #6 or #8 sabiki rigs weighted with a 3 ounce sinker. The heavier weight is used to help prevent tangling the line when multiple baits are hooked. Using a small piece of squid tentacle on the 2 lower hooks will help to insure the bite from the bottom dwellers and the other hooks will produce the other free swimming baits. On most days it is difficult to get the kids to stop catching bait as they get so excited by the bait themselves and feeling the wiggle on the end of the rod.
Trolling the near shore and mid water artificial reefs has consistently yielded Spanish mackerel, some kingfish, barracuda and bonita. Using #1 planers and small spoons with at least 20 feet of 40 # leader has been the key to success. Using the smaller terminal tackle allows us to downsize rod and reel to 20 or 30 pound class which is much easier and comfortable for our younger anglers.
Bottom fishing has been outstanding in 60 feet of water for both our younger clients and their parents with virtually non-stop action from white grunts, red grouper, triggerfish, and catch and release gag grouper. A 2/0 double hook rig will keep the young ones busy while the parents and grandparents can employ conventional tackle for the larger fish.