You have to love this time of year. Offshore fishing is great, the kings are arriving in good numbers, offshore shrimp boats are cooperating for blackfin tuna, amberjacks are moving into shallow wrecks and, best of all, grouper and snappers are biting on most of our charters.
Our biggest challenge is deciding what to fish for the next two months. Most of us look forward to changing the pace from bottom fishing to going after tuna and kings. But grouper fishing will be excellent nearshore in 30-50 feet. Sailfish can be caught while slow-trolling live bait for kingfish. Tuna can be found in as close as 50 feet of water.
Live bait will catch bigger fish. Take the time to ensure that your baitwell is full of fresh live bait and make sure to have fresh Spanish sardines. The quintessential bait is Spanish sardines. Tuna will not pass up a fresh Spanish sardine. We have caught more sailfish, kingfish and grouper on live Spanish sardines than on any other live bait. Numerous kingfish over 30 pounds were caught last week along the beaches. Not by coincidence, Spanish mackerel are thick along our beaches.
- Larry "Huffy" Hoffman charters out of John's Pass, Treasure Island. Call 727 709-9396 or e-mail him at huffyl@tampabay.rr.com
