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Springtime conditions arrived last week with 80-degree weather and the warming of the Gulf of Mexico. Southwest of Egmont Channel, temperatures are higher than 68 degrees and climbing. Schools of live Spanish sardines can be found from the Egmont Channel south. Kingfish are being caught off Boca Grande. A 71-pounder was caught recently in the first SKA tournament in Division 11.
Closer to home, blackfin tuna are working the shrimp boat fleet 35 miles southwest of John's Pass and farther south. In 120-130 feet of water we found shrimpers out of Brownsville, Texas, and had a banner day. We caught tuna using live bait free-lined off the transom of the anchored shrimp boats. Forty-pound class tackle, smooth drags and a fighting belt works for blackfins. The bait was a live Spanish sardine. Tuna cannot resist a free-lined live sardine.
Bottom fishing will pick up as we move off the full moon. Grouper and snapper action have been steady but not great during the full moon. Work hard-bottom areas with small breaks and "solution" holes for bigger fish. Depths of 100-125 feet continue to be the most productive. Live small pinfish and Spanish sardines have produced our biggest mangos. Light leaders with 30-pound fluorocarbon work well for snapper.
Big amberjacks have been hard to find due to the commercial grouper closure. If you want to catch amberjacks, bring big baits to multiple shipwrecks and springs.
- Larry "Huffy" Hoffman charters out of John's Pass, Treasure Island. Call 727 709-9396 or e-mail him at huffyl@tampabay.rr.com