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© St. Petersburg Times, published September 26, 2001
At last the summer doldrums are giving way to the outstanding fishing action of fall. Fishing has been excellent along the North Suncoast this week on the flats and just offshore. Giant schools of Spanish mackerel and bonito have been whipping the water into a froth for acres off Honeymoon, Caladesi and Anclote islands. Among them are bluefish, ladyfish and at least one kingfish, which we sighted skyrocketing through a mackerel frenzy. The attraction is a seemingly endless supply of tiny glass minnows. To catch the fish as they are feeding, cast a very small lure such as a jig or small spoon to imitate the minuscule baitfish. My favorite is a small diamond jig. These are small, but heavy, so you can cast them a long way. You also can retrieve them extra fast without the lure coming out of the water.
Cobia also have shown up in good numbers. We caught five Friday and six Saturday. All were sighted as they followed stingrays across shallow grassflats. Most were in the 10- to 20-pound range. Bigger cobia will be taken offshore on wrecks and ledges over the next few weeks. Unlike the spring run, the bigger fish seem to stay offshore on their return migration in the fall. I prefer artificials for cobia, such as big soft plastic eels and squid. If they won't strike (they usually do), we will cast a live bait at them under a float.
There will be lots of great fishing for the next few months. Not only are the local fish active, but most migratory fish will be available as well.
-- Ed Walker charters out of Palm Harbor. Call (727) 944-3474 or e-mail TarponEd@aol.com.