Light wind and calm seas provide an opportunity to get offshore, but if it's kingfish you're after, you won't have to go far.
We caught kings all week and didn't go 2 miles from shore. Size has been a bonus, as bigger fish have arrived.
Former St. Petersburg mayor Don Jones, 78, noted that in the many years he has fished for kings, he had not encountered the size of the nine we caught Thursday, most in the upper 20s with a 30-pounder in the mix.
While we have concentrated our efforts in 20 feet at the Clearwater hard bottom, similar reports have come from Redington, Indian Rocks and the drop off St. Pete Beach. Be prepared to improvise. The irresistible shad in Clearwater yesterday may not be what they want off Blind Pass tomorrow.
On a recent trip in 30 feet, Scot Sadorf and Mike Masters reported they couldn't buy a bite on the normally productive blue runners and shad, but they got bites on every full-grown greenback and whitebait they put out.
Slow-trolling has been productive, but with the full moon the day after Thanksgiving, strong tides will provide a chance to anchor and chum.
Jay Mastry charters Jaybird out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 321-2142.
