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© St. Petersburg Times, published November 21, 2001
Thanksgiving and the days around it are some of the most productive times for kingfishing. Two fish weighing more than 40 pounds in Saturday's tournament indicate this holiday should be no different.
If the weather allows nearshore waters to clear, look for them in the 20-foot depths of the Blind Pass drop, Redington or Clearwater hard bottom.
When concentrations of bait gather over patchy rock bottom, the 26- and 30-foot depths off Pass-a-Grille can be late-November hot spots. Another would be the "Short Jack": Smoker kings often prowl the ledges in this large area, in about 40 feet of water, about 5 miles south of the Egmont Shipping Channel.
Offshore, try the Betty Rose, Indian Shores or the Rube Allen artificial reefs. Barracuda can be a problem, but you're often able to catch fresh bait as you need it.
Tide charts may dictate the way you fish this week. Slow-trolling may be less affected by two-tide days or weaker tides associated with the first quarter moon phase, but anglers who anchor may feel the effects. Kingfish become more wary and leader-shy when there is not much flow, baits are lethargic and chum can't travel far to attract fish.
- Jay Mastry charters Jaybird out of St. Petersburg. Call (727) 321-2142.