Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By LARRY HOFFMAN
Published November 9, 2006

What's hot? We are in the peak of the fall migration for kingfish as they move south. Kingfish along our beaches have been plentiful and big. Last weekend, Gators Cafe's Fall Kingfish Classic produced 12 fish of more than 30 pounds. Two of the largest fish - a 48- and a 45-pounder - were caught close to the beach.

Tactics: Tactics fall into two camps: live bait "purists" and hardware trollers. Our many reefs and shipwrecks are perfect for trolling hardware -kingfish spoons, planers and diving plugs. Use Nos. 2 and 3 planers to get lures deep, and spoons and shallow lures near the surface. Good swivels are a must and 50-pound tackle is needed for the planers. Use 15- to 20-foot leaders to connect the lures to the planers. Blue, red and glow-colored lures work well.

Tips from the pro: Big baits catch big fish. Mullet, ladyfish and Spanish mackerel are good baits for bigger kings. To present the large baits, use a single live-bait hook, haywire twisted to 40-pound steel leaders. Use up to four treble hooks as stingers. Place the treble hooks along the back of the fish. If you catch a 2- or 3-pound Spanish mackerel, rig it the same.

Larry Hoffman charters out of John's Pass, Treasure Island. Call 727 709-9396 or e-mail huffyl@tampabay.rr.com.

[Last modified November 9, 2006, 01:44:29]