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By DAVE ZALEWSKI
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 13, 2001
Time flies when you're having fun, and kingfish provided plenty of fun this spring. But kingfish season has flown by, and it is time for other species.
Red grouper have returned to hard bottom in 90-100 feet and are eager to feed on squid, frozen Spanish sardines and live baits, including pinfish, squirrelfish and anything else that can be caught on site.
Gag grouper are still on the ledges and will be mixed in with the large reds on the hard bottom as they make their way to summer haunts. Large jigs bounced off the bottom account for impressive fish this time of year. A jig should be raised just a short distance from the bottom and allowed to settle so it imitates a crustacean burrowing into the bottom.
Small dolphin soon will show up when anglers are bottom fishing. Be prepared with light spinning rigs with a small jig or a small piece of cut sardine.
- Capt. Dave Zalewski charters the Lucky Too out of Maderia Beach and can be reached at (727) 397-8815 or by e-mail at luckytwo2@aol.com.