Fishing

Offshore forecast

Options are almost endless during this month. It doesn't matter where you go, the fish will cooperate. Water temperatures are rising into the 70s, and appetites are rising too.

Kingfish steal the show this month. All depths will produce, but try to concentrate on schools of baitfish that recently invaded shallow areas. These inshore waters have exploded with kings the past several weeks, chasing large schools of threadfin herring and pilchards in 25 to 30 feet.

Bigger predators will stay close to easily accessible food sources for days, making things easy for anglers. Simply catch bait, toss out a line and hook a fish. We have experienced multiple hookups for hours doing this. Tossing a few baitfish overboard while the bite is on keeps the fish focused on your spread of baits.

Expect at least three more weeks of good kingfishing in these shallower depths. After that, rising water temperatures will force most of the fish to deeper waters.

The artificial reefs about 10 miles from shore will then become the main attractions, luring kings with abundant bait. The list is endless: blue runners, Spanish sardines, pilchards, cigar minnows and many other baitfish will await the kings. These man-made reefs will keep many anglers busy throughout the month with a wide variety of fish: sharks, grouper, mangrove snapper, permit, Spanish mackerel and others.

Don't forget the giant barracuda migration this time of year. Cudas have settled on many of the wrecks and are building an appetite for a struggling kingfish. Many of the mackerel hooked by anglers will become prey for these toothy fish.

There isn't much you can do when a cuda picks on your prized king. I suggest tightening the drag and quickly bullying the king to the boat before a barracuda attacks. Be careful handling the kings boatside, because a hungry barracuda won't think twice about grabbing its prey from your grasp, with their razor teeth leaving quite an impression.

Bottom fishing has been hit or miss in less than 50 feet. Clarity plays a major role during the spring, and after a few days of west wind the grouper are aggressive and will hit a variety of baits. After a long stretch of calm days and east winds, the water can become so clear that anglers must adjust.

Downsizing tackle (hooks, leader, and line) makes a difference. Oversized sinkers become a deterrent, actually making grouper stay away from baits. Lightening sinkers to the smallest that keeps the bait near the bottom is a must, and this requires fisherman to monitor tides and current and adjust accordingly.

Another option for grouper is to travel a bit farther offshore. The deeper water helps hide the leaders and rigged bait and increases the action. Red grouper have started to move to many of the bait stacks that blanket the bottom at 100 feet and more. Don't expect to catch a limit every time, but a few fish can be taken from many of the bait pods.

Cobia are starting to show up. When they arrive on many wrecks offshore, they congregate in large schools. We witnessed a school last April that held over 100 fish over a wreck about 10 miles from shore, and they stayed put for about a week.

Some cobia will reach 50 pounds or more at this time of year and require heavier tackle. A tight drag with 60-pound line stops most of the these brown bombers before they reach the wrecks, but sometimes heavier tackle is required.

Last April, the weather conditions were unseasonable warm, luring an early migration of tarpon. If the weather repeats, expect to see another early arrival of the mighty silver kings along the beaches. Watch for the water to hit 78 degrees to attract the first migration of beach tarpon.