Captain's corner

By DAVE ZALEWSKI

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 17, 2000

If the past two weeks are any indication, this summer may produce some of the best dolphin fishing in several years. Almost every trip of at least 20 miles offshore has resulted in the sighting of these delicious fish. Some days it is difficult to get them to bite . On the days they can be chummed into a feeding frenzy, they will strike almost anything placed in front of them, including a bare gold hook. On the days they make their appearance under the boat and refuse to bite even small pieces of chum placed in the water, they will frustrate you.

Dolphin are one of the fastest-growing fish in the sea, and they must eat large quantities to sustain their growth. When feeding, they will gorge themselves until they cannot ingest anything else. At times they can be seen swimming up to a bait, bumping it and being unable to eat because their stomachs are full. This is why it is crucial to use small slivers of squid or sardines for chum.

Our standard rig for these fish is a light spinning or baitcasting outfit with a No. 1 long-shanked gold hook attached directly to 10-pound test line. Because these hooks are fine wire and can be straightened out, light drag pressure is required.

On the days dolphin refuse to bite standard fare, they sometimes can be enticed to strike a moving bait like a 00 silver spoon or even a small shad-tailed jig pulled in front of them.

-- Dave Zalewski charters the Lucky Too out of Madeira Beach. Call (727) 397-8815.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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