There have been plenty of fish between 5 and 7 pounds and several of about 9 pounds. We used 12-pound spinning tackle once we chummed them off the bottom.
In addition to frozen chum bags, we used slices of sardines (cut with scissors). Once you can see the fish, hide a 2/0 hook inside a piece of chum and let it fall with other slices.
The large breaks and wrecks also have large amberjack. The average fish has been between 25 and 30 pounds with many heavier than 50. We like to use live chum then sight fish. Many times, they eat everything from a horse minnow to a pinfish. But there are times when only a blue runner will do. So before heading 30 or more miles offshore, make sure you have not only a quantity of bait, but a good selection.
Blacktip sharks between 4 and 6 feet also have been plentiful during the past several weeks on inshore reefs. They will aggressively feed on filets of bonita left soaking on the bottom.
It is the time of the year when you must start figuring summer thunderstorm activity into your game plan. Leave your dock early and return early.
