March 6, 2007

 
 
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Gone fishing                              Capt. Larry Blue
     3/6/2007
 Fishing Archives               They’re here!.. King Mackerel have already made an appearance on some of
    the offshore wrecks and reefs. They often show up in mid to late March, but this
    spring is proving to be exceptional in that the kings are already here in great numbers.
     
   

            In early spring, trolling for king mackerel is the usual method to locate the

    school. If you find the baitfish you can normally find the kings surrounding their dinner
    like a pack of sheepdogs herding sheep. The kingfish will circle the bait to keep them
    in a tight ball. You can see the baitfish scatter skyward when a marauding kingfish will
    take his turn and crash through the school. One by one, a solitary king will run thru
    the baitfish and fill their belly while his circling compatriots guard the sardines from
    making an escape. Trolling lures on the outside of the frantic bait school will reward
    anglers with great catches.
     
   

            Larger Spanish mackerel can be found in the same areas as their cousin King
    Mackerel. But you won’t often find smaller Spanish in the fray, because they might
    end up to be dinner for the bigger King. There have been some Spanish mackerel
    closer to shore, as the water warms the schools will move in. We can look for the
    action to pick up considerably in the next couple of weeks. The best catches for King
    will be during April into the first or second week of May, this activity may continue
    until late June. Spanish mackerel will be caught all through the spring and well into
    summer.
     
   

            Grouper season opens on March 15th. We are expecting the grouper to be
             well rested and ready to take your baited offering with enthusiasm. Start the search in
    the 50 to 60 foot depth, but don’t pass up a chance in closer. If you should pass over
    a good show on your run offshore, by all means check it out. The grouper have had
    no pressure during the past month and should be ready to aggressively take a baited
    hook.
     
                 Mangrove snapper have been found in some of the same areas that we
    expect the grouper to move into. Recently we were fishing for triggerfish and snapper
    and were rewarded with a nice catch of both. As the water warms expect this to
    continue and get better as time goes on.
     
   

             With the movement of the King mackerel school we always find that the

    sharks move in close behind. Black-tipped and lemons sharks are already being
    caught in the nearby reefs. This too will get better as the water warms. The best
    activity will be in the next couple weeks and well into the heat of summer.
     
   

        This is the BEST time to be in the Tampa Bay area, the fishing will be at its

    finest. We invite you to get out there and enjoy some of the best fishing in the world.
    Remember to take only what you need and return the rest for another time. Some
    day your children will thank you.
     
   

Good luck and good fishing, Capt. Larry
   

Copyright 2007 CLB
     
     
    Capt. Larry Blue is USCG licensed full time charter boat operator and guide,
    departing from The Kingfish Dock, at “Gators on the Pass”, in Johns Pass -
    Treasure Island . He is a member of; The Maritime Consortium, The Florida
    League of Anglers and The Florida Outdoors Writers Assn. For charter
    information call: 727-397-3773  or  727-871-1058 cell   OR
    Capt. Joe:  727-678-2959.