My cell phone and e-mail have been busy. Are they here yet? Over and over, I answered any day now.
Today, the first pushes of kingfish arrive. Versions showed up along the beaches last week. There were fewer of them, normal for the beginning of spring migration, but they were larger.
A 46-pounder off Redington Beach has been the largest reported. Friday, Tom Markham caught two 40-pound kingfish a mile off Indian Rocks Beach. Big ones also have been caught on the outskirts of the 3-mile Clearwater and Dunedin artificial reefs and Blind Pass.
A silver-trout fisherman drifting off Bellier Beach was surprised when a 27-pound smoker inhaled his small, free-lined whitebait. My clients caught kings by throwing out a flat line while grouper digging.
Blue runners, the first indication larger schools of kings are close, are at 30 feet. A fast troll with topwater plugs or skirted ballyhoos can locate big herds of kingfish. Once located, get out the live bait and have fun. Their appetites are huge after the long journey, so expect multiple catches.
If you troll artificials, go about 5 mph and use deep-diving plugs. Working in 25-40 feet allows the plugs to get closer to the bottom.
- Dave Mistretta captains the Jaws Too out of Indian Rocks Beach. Call 727 595-3276, or e-mail sales@jawstoo.com
