Fish Tales
Kingfish action getting good
By TYSON WALLERSTEIN
| Article published on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009 |
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A weak cold front this week should only progress our fishing further as these small fronts will continue to bring new arrivals of baitfish and predators alike.
This in turn should bring some of those bigger kingfish close to the beach and give anglers a shot at some “smokers.”
Kingfish remain the top target for many anglers as the fall run kicked into high gear this week. As long as the water stays clean the bulk of these fish will be found within 10 miles of the beach making them a prime target for both big and small boaters alike.
Bruiser-sized kings should be pursued with big live baits; mullet, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and shad. Slow troll these baits in close to the beaches or around near-shore hot spots like the Clearwater hard-bottom, the drop at Blinds Pass and the ditch at Egmont Key.
Schoolie-sized kings can provide fast action once located, places like the Betty Rose, Rube Allyn and the Indian Shores artificial reefs are all holding kingfish.
Plenty of bait such as cigar minnows and horse minnows can be found hanging on these reefs as well.
Anchoring up-tide of the reef and putting out a chum block is a great way to attract the bait and the kingfish, be sure to have a couple of rods rigged with live bait stinger rigs and as you catch your bait quickly put them out on flat lines.
Spanish mackerel are prime targets for pier anglers right now. The Skyway piers and the Gulf pier at Fort De Soto are fishing very well.
Plenty of bait and good water temperatures will have these fish hanging around for some time now. Cast Gotcha plugs and silver spoons and when the bites on, it’s been hot.
Until Next Week – GET BENT!
Capt. Wallerstein can be reached at capt.tyson@hotmail.com. To get a fish photo in the paper, send the photo along with your name, when and where it was caught to editorial@TBNweekly.com or mail it to Tampa Bay Newspapers, 9911 Seminole Blvd., Seminole, FL 33772.
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Article published on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009
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