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Daily fishing report

A slow warming trend has prolonged the kingfish run in our area. Limits have been met almost effortlessly on a daily basis about 10 miles northwest of Clearwater. Schools of threadfin herring and Spanish sardines have settled in this 50-foot depth the past three weeks and held the kings in the vicinity.

Live-bait techniques will outproduce trolling 10-to-1. Bring plenty of gold-hook rigs to catch bait. The kings have been ravenous, often attacking as the baitfish are brought to the surface on the bait rigs. The fish have weighed 10-40 pounds, and we've had as many as six on at a time.

When the first fish strikes have all the rods rigged and ready to cast. Soon after, toss a handful of baitfish over to drive other kings into a feeding frenzy.

The ideal tackle is a 20-pound outfit rigged with 40-pound wire. A No. 1 hook connected to a No. 6 treble is sufficient.

The Red Tide still exists south of John's Pass. Reports of this algae bloom have been common in 40 feet of water north of the Whistler Buoys. This plague has left northern waters untainted for more than a month, which explains the great fishing.

-- Dave Mistretta captains the Jaws Too out of Indian Rocks Beach. Call (727) 595-3276, or e-mail sales@jawstoo.com.

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