Now that all the tournaments are over, kingfish seem to be everywhere. All depths are producing decent numbers and many of the fish are large.
Charter boats have been laying 20-plus-pounders on the dock the past week, with a couple of hefty, 30-plus-pounders mixed in. Bait is abundant at all depths (threadfin and blue runners at the shallow bottom and sardines at more than 40 feet), making it an easy task of filling the livewells. Expect the kings to stay around for the entire month since their migration was tardy.
Anglers fishing 300 yards off Indian Rocks Beach witnessed a few tarpon pods working their way south, directly outside the swim buoys. Even Redington pier anglers got a taste of the upcoming migration of silverkings. Pinfish and threadfin herring are the bait of choice. Cobias also have been aggressive. Each species will appear in larger numbers by Memorial Day, which is the kickoff date for many inshore game fish. Large numbers of snook are starting to bundle up in the passes, feeding mostly in the evening.
Offshore action has been phenomenal, especially blackfin tuna, spinner sharks and red grouper. Shrimp boats have been abundant due west of John's Pass, making things easy as bait is abundant at the south county reef (the buoys located north of the Betty Rose, about 10 miles out of the pass). We limit clients to two tuna a day, since their fillets don't freeze well. Red grouper are eating at 80 feet. Spinners are everywhere.
- Dave Mistretta captains the Jaws Too out of Indian Rocks Beach. Call 727 595-3276, or e-mail sales@jawstoo.com
