High winds, rough seas and lightning kept us in port most of last week. The few chances we had to get out were productive and surprising. Both red and gag grouper cooperated in their usual summertime haunts. Gags were found on and near ledges at 60 feet. We caught several legal-size fish by targeting concentrations of cigar minnows and Spanish sardines that had taken up residence away from the ledges. "Matching the hatch" by gold-hooking some of these baitfish was the key to catching these gags. They did not seem interested in frozen sardines, squid or even a pinfish.

Red grouper have moved into the areas of hard limestone bottom near 100-feet deep. These areas are 25 to 30 miles offshore and at this time of year careful attention to weather forecasts and changing conditions must be made. The red grouper can be caught with frozen sardines and squid. It usually takes only a short stop to add cigar minnows and Spanish sardines to a live well that has pinfish in it. Once the bite slows it is beneficial to switch to live baits to entice that big, smart red that has been sitting back and observing the action.

The surprise was kingfish. They are still being caught by trolling hardware (spoons and plugs) at the shipping channel and near all the wrecks. We may be in for banner action all summer. If space permits two stinger rigged flat-lines, one with a frozen sardine and one with a live sardine or cigar minnow, will result in strikes from a variety of pelagic game fish.

-- Capt. Dave Zalewski charters the Lucky Too out of Madeira Beach and can be reached at (727) 397-8815 or by e-mail at Luckytoo2@aol.com.

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