Daily fishing report

Fall migration is on schedule -- despite heat

Unseasonably warm weather has not stopped the fall migration of many fish.

The first push of kingfish arrived a few days ago, ravaging everything in its path. The fish were scattered and at all depths from 20 to 80 feet. A documented 48-pounder was nabbed about 15 miles from Clearwater Pass. It's hard to pinpoint all the action for weekend warriors in search of smokers because their location changes every day.

This is normal for the first push of kings migrating south. Large groups never settle in one area for long, meaning no fish one day, many the next.

Spanish mackerel have invaded the Suncoast with a fury. Thousands can be seen jumping out of the water as far as the eye can see. Small baits are what most of the fish are interested in, so be sure to fill the live wells. Large schools of 2-inch scaled sardines easily can be cast-netted on the edges of the bay's grass flats.

A few tarpon refuse to leave the beaches until all the tiny white bait schools have been gobbled up. Large tarpon gulping mouthfuls of frantic bait create coffee-colored water from the silt on the bottom. It's quite a sight watching this feeding frenzy.

Cobias have infiltrated many wrecks and structures inshore and offshore. Anglers have been fortunate to meet up with schools of up to one hundred at once. As gullible as cobia are, you can bet there will be lots of action with this magnitude of fish. Leave the first cobia on the hook and in the water to keep the bite going. Their curiosity will lure the entire school directly to your baited hook. Inshore, the schools are much smaller, but their appetites are just as strong. Many reports have come from fishing piers, bridges, jetties and bell buoys this week.

James Beaty of Gainesville recently caught an 8-foot, 500-pound goliath grouper. It took 20 minutes to land the 8-foot monster on 125-pound test.

-- Dave Mistretta captains the Jaws Too out of Indian Rocks Beach. Call (727) 595-3276, or e-mail sales@jawstoo.com.

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