All-day trips have been the norm the past few days, and we have had little success finding kingfish, which scattered with the big winds last week.
They should start showing up on reefs and shipwrecks. Water had dropped to 65 degrees but is up to 72, perfect for kingfish and the baitfish they follow north. Blackfin tuna still are being plucked off the transom of shrimpers in 110 feet northwest of the Betty Rose. Have a live well full of fresh bait before chasing tuna. If you cannot find a shrimp boat, don't get discouraged. Anchor over hard bottom or a shipwreck in 100 feet and deeper and start "chunking." Chunking will produce a chum line that attracts kingfish, tuna and sometimes cobia. Bottom-fish while one person keeps the chunking going. Cut Spanish sardines into 1-inch pieces and throw a piece in every 30 seconds. Free-line a couple of baits off your transom. Keep chunking while you fight the fish to keep the tuna feeding. You need strong tides to succeed.
Grouper fishing is good over hard-bottom ledges and solution holes in 90-130 feet. Last weekend Mike Lee, on the K.O. Kid, caught three red grouper 18 pounds and up in 118 feet. Frozen sardines cut in half have produced keepers. Mangrove snappers continue to provide steady action for bottom fishing.
- Larry "Huffy" Hoffman charters out of John's Pass, Treasure Island. Call 727 709-9396 or e-mail him at huffyl@tampabay.rr.com
