Captain’s Corner for April 29 Dave Zalewski 397-8815

Fishing for kingfish and Spanish mackerel has either been hot or “not” during the past week. On the days that the fishing has been hot, we have been fishing the shipping channel markers, Treasure Island artificial reef, and hard bottom areas northwest of the St Pete Beach artificial reef with almost non-stop action on both live and artificial baits. Going to the same areas only one day later, it is quickly evident that the fish have moved on, and after a reasonable length of time dragging holes in the water without a strike we have changed gears and went bottom fishing.
Bottom fishing has stayed consistent in the 50 to 80 foot depths with red and gag grouper, white grunts, scamp and porgies providing most of the action. Gag grouper are a game fish until July 1, when the season opens , and are catch, photo and release. There has been no complaints from our clients when releasing these great battlers, especially when they realize that by releasing the fish another angler can enjoy the same fight.
Tip: Deploy a stinger rigged flatline on every bottom stop made because the activity of the bottom fish being brought up will entice any pelagic predator in the area to partake in the easy meal provided by the stunned smaller reef fish being put back and the steady chum stream caused by the reef fish expelling their stomach contents and lost baits.