This week's trips to the artificial reefs were outstanding. The Betty Rose was the hot spot, producing kings and barracuda as soon as the baits hit the water.
A livewell full of threadfins caught before sunrise was key to fishing the early bite. We would stop upwind of the Rose and free-line two rods with baits hooked in the back, then drift over the reef. Every drift produced kings of 10-30 pounds, but barracudas occasionally would hit the kings. The best way to avoid the cudas was to tighten the drag and horse in the kings quickly after they made a few good runs.
The Egmont shipping channel and the freighters are holding large numbers of schoolie kingfish, most 6-12 pounds. Spanish sardines and cigar minnows have been the bait of choice, and slow-trolling near the anchored freighters produced the most strikes. Try light tackle in this area; rods rigged with 10-pound line provide great action.
Trips inshore produced redfish and snook. We worked the mullet schools with 1/4-ounce silver spoons, and most action came at high tide. Water clarity has been poor, but a spoon's flash helped the fish find it. When the water clears, switch to motor oil or root beer jigs worked just above the grass.
- Doug Hemmer charters out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 347-1389.
