Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By JAY MASTRY
Published March 30, 2005

A disappointing spring run of kingfish could improve this week if the weather stays calm. Gathering bait will be instrumental, but could be tedious thanks to red tide, which has been reported in patches from the Manatee County beaches to Clearwater. Finding which places have been affected will be a matter of trial and error.

Large greenbacks and blue runners had settled on the South County Artificial Reef last week. They were readily available using gold hook rigs. They will regroup there in 45 feet, but will need a few days following rough conditions.

Fish will probably return first to offshore structures. The Whistler Buoy and Ten Fathom Wreck will be among areas to attract schools of cigar minnows and Spanish Sardines before they work their way closer to shore.

The arrival of mackerel to the mouth of Tampa Bay indicates improving conditions. I observed a couple dozen of the toothy speedsters being caught on both sides of the Skyway fishing piers on Saturday. Most of the successful anglers were using a variety of spoons on light spinning tackle.

Jay Mastry charters Jaybird out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 321-2142.

[Last modified March 30, 2005, 01:04:14]