Outdoors

Offshore fishing report: Bonita frustrating but oh, so fun

By DAVE ZALEWSKI
Published March 24, 2006

We look forward throughout the windy winter months to St. Patrick's Day when our attention turns to Spanish mackerel, kingfish, bonita, cobia and blackfin tuna.

Water temperatures hit the magic 72 degree mark, the comfort zone for Spanish sardines, threadfins, cigar minnows, bluerunners and many other types of baitfish that take up residence on artificial reefs, shipwrecks, hard bottom areas and the buoys marking the edges of channels.

So far the only species that has shown up in any numbers is bonita, which can be seen crashing through scattered schools of small glass minnows in 60feet. Although they are not considered the best table fare, bonita can provide exciting, drag-screaming catch-and-release action. But bonita also can be a nuisance by taking live and artificial baits intended for mackerel and kingfish.

Bonita, when targeted, can be frustrating as they often are picky eaters. Spoons, plugs and live baits trolled into a school often will not produce a strike. When this happens, observe what they are feeding on and present a bait that closely resembles it. If glass minnows are present, spoons must be changed to 00 size and leaders to 20-pound test to allow the spoon to work freely. Small jigs also can be trolled behind a No.1 planer or cigar sinker, or cast directly into the school with light spinning tackle. Drags must be set lightly to prevent breakoffs. We have been targeting bottom fish daily , but trolling and live bait equipment is ready when kingfish and mackerel appear. Gag grouper fishing was excellent until the last full moon, which caused a dramatic slowdown in 80- to 100-feet.

Many of the bottom fish such as grouper and snapper are nocturnal feeders. They target various types of shrimp that burrow in the sand and lobster that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed and relocate. The theory is that on a bright full moon the grouper fill themselves on shrimp and lobster, which are easier to catch than live baitfish, and are so full that they ignore our baits during the day.

Mangrove snapper and large triggerfish have more than filled the grouper void, however. Almost every high profile structure such as ledges and wrecks 60 feet and deeper are teeming with these tasty fish.

Downsizing tackle provides greater sport and more bites. Twenty-pound test line and long leaders are more than sufficient along with 2/0 or 3/0 short-shanked live bait or circle hooks. Sinkers should be light and their weight should be adjusted to current and depth conditions. Two-, 3- and 4-ounce sizes should be on board. A two-hook rig with the sinker below can be tied or purchased at most tackle shops. Mangrove snapper and triggerfish are notorious bait-stealers and two-baited hooks increase the chances of a single hookup and often results in a double. The pelagics are due any day, but until they arrive we will continue bottom fishing.

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

[Last modified March 24, 2006, 02:15:43]