Get the smoker ready, it’s kingfish time
Kingfish action remains consistent for a second straight week. Fishers looking for rod-bending action around nearshore structure are being rewarded with numerous hookups on fish in the 8- to 10-pound range. Bigger catches are mixed in, so be patient.
On my recent charter, Serzj Karrip of Fremont, Mich., managed to reel up a whopper king — 29 pounds and 50 inches in length.
When rigging for kings, it’s good to experiment with leaders. When the big macks started showing a couple of weeks ago, we were using 29-pound hardwire connected to a 2/0 extra long shank hook with a haywire twist. Now, the kings appear leader-shy, which means they can see the wire leader, and they’re apprehensive to bite a bait. By switching to 4 feet of 40-pound fluorocarbon tied to a 4/0 extra long shank hook, they should bite again. This may cause lost hooks, but the hookup ratio will greatly improve.
Moving to grass flats near Anna Maria Island, action is heating up for a variety of species. Afternoon outgoing tides are proving prosperous for both live bait fishers and for those opting for artificials, such as top-water plugs and soft plastics.
Spotted seatrout are staging up in deep potholes with good water flow, waiting to ambush small baitfish. On shallow flats, depths of 3 feet or less, try working a top-water plug for some explosive visual strikes. In deeper waters, try using a DOA Cal jig around sandy potholes to get results. On both shallow and deeper flats, trout are being caught in the 20-inch range with some fish up to 24 inches.
Remember, those big gator trout you’re targeting are females loaded with eggs, so make sure you limit what you take to the cleaning table. And the smaller ones are better table fare.
If it’s reds you’re after, try fishing afternoon outgoing tides. The shallower grass flats with water depths of 2-3 feet are producing respectable action and slot-size fish. Try baiting live shiners for some rod-bending action. On these shallow grass flats, a rig with a popping cork will aid in keeping the bait from getting tangled in the seagrass. Slot-size fish are being caught as well as fish up to 32 inches.
Finally, catch-and-release snook action is getting better and better. By fishing free-lined live shiners, my charters are averaging a dozen catch-and-release snook per day and fish up to 30 inches in length. To target these backwater bruisers, make sure you have good tidal flow and an ample amount of live shiners for chum.
Bob Kilb at the Rod & Reel Pier says anglers there are seeing Spanish mackerel in the early morning. Pier fishers using silver spoons, Gotcha plugs or small pink jigs are getting the bite. Macks in the 15-inch range are being caught around sun up and then the bite is over.
Pompano still are being caught sporadically around the pier. By using a pink pompano jig or small pink crappie jigs, pier anglers are getting drag-screaming action from these dinner plate-sized migratory fish.
And sheepshead are still around the pier, although the majority are small males. Still targetable, they are being caught on small pieces of fresh-cut shrimp or oyster crabs. With it being so late in the season, a light rig is suggested. A small No. 4 hook with some 20-pound fluorocarbon and a split-shot will suffice for the wary convict fish.
Last but not least, black drum are being caught on live shrimp fished on the bottom under the pier. Try using some good-sized select shrimp to target the bigger ones. Fish in the 15- to 20-pound range are the norm, although, Kilb says, there are bigger fish down there.
Jeff Medley at the Sunshine Skyway Bridge South Fishing Pier says if anglers want pompano, come to the South Pier armed with Love’s lures pompano jigs. By jigging vertically under the pier next to the pilings, pier fishers are reeling up fish in the 15- to 18-inch range. Some pier fishers are catching pomps on live shrimp under a popping cork and on Sabiki rigs.
Kingfish and Spanish mackerel are making a good showing at the South Pier. Most pier fishers are using fresh-cut greenbacks weighted with a split-shot to target these species. By drifting baits away from the pier in the tide, fishers are reeling up Spanish macks in the 20-inch range and kings up to 32 inches. You can also try Gotcha plugs or silver spoons to get into this action. Don’t be surprised to catch a few bonito, too.
Jonny Keyes at Island Discount Tackle is still hearing of good pompano action occurring on the beaches of Anna Maria Island, and yellow or pink pompano jigs are producing these high-speed golden nuggets.
Remember 15- or 20-pound fluorocarbon leader is a must to target these stealthy fish.
Along with pompano, beach fishers are catching ladyfish, blue runners, jack crevalle, whiting and numerous species of small sharks. For the jacks, blue runners and ladyfish, try small jigs or Gotcha plugs. For the whiting, a live sand flea or piece of fresh-cut shrimp will get you the bite. As for the sharks, try a cut-piece of ladyfish or blue runner, hold on and wait.
Moving to the grass flats of Anna Maria Sound, flats fishers are getting good action on spotted seatrout, redfish and catch-and-release snook. For the trout, try using a DOA Cal jig around deep potholes. If you’re in shallow water, try a top-water plug, such as a Rapala Skitter Walk or a MirrOlure Top Dog Jr. For the reds and snook, flats fishers are getting results on live shiners free-lined on shallow flats adjacent to mangrove shorelines.
For real drag-screaming action, Keyes recommends heading out to the reefs for Spanish and king mackerel and cobia. Live bait fishing with shiners, threadfin herring or pinfish, is rewarding reef anglers with keeper-size fish of all three migratory species.
Capt. Mark Johnston of Just Reel fishing charters is having success targeting redfish and catch-and-release snook on shallow flats adjacent to mangrove islands. By using live shiners free-lined behind the boat, Johnston’s clients are getting good action on high tides. Most fish are falling within the slot of 18 to 27 inches, with some bigger fish, too. For the snook, Johnston’s charters are using the same method as for the redfish. The snook are typically in the 22- to 24-inch range with the biggest coming in at 33 inches. Johnston says he’s averaging 15 snook per trip.
Flounder are being reeled in, although most are a bycatch of targeted reds and snook. Average size of these flatfish was 12 to 16 inches in length this past week.
Send fishing reports to fish@islander.org.