Captain’s Corner: Dave Zalewski

The Tampa Bay Times

Dave Zalewski (460-9893)

Normally we put up our trolling tackle right after Thanksgiving. This year I am sure glad that we did not. When the weather allows, on all of our longer trips to the 60 to 80 foot depths to target bottom fish, we have been have been stopping at whichever artificial reef that we will be crossing over and deploying the trolling tackle. The Spanish mackerel, kingfish and bonita are usually gone from our area from December until mid-March. This year has been unique with all 3 species still being caught.
On Monday we stopped at one of the mid-water artificial reefs, hoping to catch a few Spanish mackerel and possibly a bonita. The first pass resulted in a double hookup with bonita which whetted our interest in spending some time trolling. Our usual starting point during trolling season is to use a #1 planer, 30 feet of leader and a 0 spoon on one rod and a #2 planer with a large gold or blue spoon behind it. Two things are important when trolling the artificial reefs, Speed should be between 5,5 and 6 knots to provide maximum flash from the spoons, It is also critical to try to troll over the high profile structure on these reefs which encompass a ¼ mile square with much of them being barren sand. The trolling was as good as it is during the season with the exception of barracuda which have left for the winter. We returned with tired anglers, Spanish mackerel in the box, memories of the catch and release hard fighting bonita,
I always say that spring trolling season begins with St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) but this year it has never ended.