Outdoors

Daily fishing report

By DAVE ZALEWSKI
Published November 30, 2006

What's Hot: Gulf water temperatures have dropped into the 60s, usually signalling kingfish and Spanish mackerel fishing are over until spring. Right now fishing for them is as hot as this fall. Schoolie kings 6-15 pounds are at midwater artificial reefs like the Rube Allyn, Indian Shores and South County.

Tactics: Water clarity dictates whether to slow troll live baits (a knot or less) or use spoons and plugs 30 feet behind a No. 2 or 3 planer at 6 knots. In dirty water, fish tend to hug bait piles near bottom, so hardware trolling is more effective. Clean water allows live bait fishing with light spinning or conventional tackle.

Tips: In dirty water, lure choice matters. The broken- back gold Bomber with built-in rattle produces sound and visibility. Small lipped Mirro-Lures in gold, blue and chartruse are also good behind planers. Use blue, gold and glow spoons in dirty water.

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 November 30, 2006, 02:14:41]