While April is about as good as it gets for fishing on the west coast of Florida, Mother Nature occasionally decides to step in for one last round of winter-like winds. Though winds the past week have not packed the bitter cold of a northern winter, their duration has cooled water temperature 2-3 degrees.
The kingfish had shown in good numbers before the wind started. We caught 24 schoolies and lost another dozen or so while drifting the Betty Rose on March 28. They ate live Spanish sardines and ignored pinfish, cigar minnows and blue runners.
Because of high winds during the past week, we have fished the edges of Egmont Channel and various rock piles in the bay. We have caught the limit of Mangrove snapper and a fair amount of gag grouper.
Fishing along the beach should continue to improve because an east wind is forecast. It will clear the waters near shore and allow bait to return with hungry kingfish right behind. Look for fish to be on artificial wrecks along Pinellas County and areas such as the Betty Rose, Times Square and the shipping channel.
The offshore bite will get better the next few days with good tidal movement because of the moon phase. The amberjack, grouper, snapper and blackfin tuna should be cooperative throughout April, with fish at depths of 40-200 feet.
