There is time to combine trolling and bottom fishing. Soon, water temperatures will drop and pelagic fish such as kingfish and Spanish mackerel will leave our area for the Keys and the Caribbean.
On most of our recent trips, the first stop has been at one of the artificial reefs to catch additional live bait using Sabiki rigs and to troll spoons for Spanish and king mackerel. Kingfish action has been spotty, but the Spanish fishing has been better than expected.
We troll spoons of various size and color behind No. 1 planers until finding the right combination. A small gold spoon produces nonstop action one day, and the next day it takes a large king spoon.
Barracudas have left the reefs but are active on the wrecks south of the Egmont channel. For catch-and-release action, troll large, live blue runners and Spanish mackerel. Last week a barracuda struck a large blue runner and after two jumps and several long runs, it was engulfed by a large shark that put up a 30-minute fight before its tail broke the line.
Red and gag grouper along with mangrove snapper, triggerfish and white grunts are in the 55- to 60-foot depths and feeding aggressively in anticipation of a long winter. Pieces of squid and sardine have been more effective than live bait, but send down a live bait when the bite slows.
Dave Zalewski charters the Lucky Too out of Madeira Beach and can be reached at 727 397-8815 or by e-mail at Luckytoo2@aol.com
