Captain’s Corner: Dave Zalewski

Dave Zalewski

460-9893

The water temperatures have never dipped into the 50’s this year. In most years when that mark is reached, there are no pelagic fish in our area except for a few scattered bonita and the metabolism of the benthic fish slows down requiring the use of frozen cut baits and patience on a spot to trigger the fish to bite.
We are catching kingfish, Spanish mackerel and bonita on almost every trip that we targeted them. All three species have been present on the mid-water artificial reefs, wrecks in depths of 60 feet or better and large high profile ledges in the same depths. It appears that they are feeding on baitfish closer to the bottom and the use of #2 or 3 planers and large spoons are the key to catching them.
Bottom fishing in the 60 to 80 foot depths has remained constant with some red grouper, mangrove snapper, numerous white grunts, porgies and sea bass making for a great box of prized table fare. Along with them catch and release gag grouper, trigger fish and red snapper make for rod bending action. Live bait is not needed, but having then onboard, and using them once the bite has been established will often trigger that larger fish to strike.
Venturing a little further offshore into the 90 foot depths will increase the chance of catching Lane, vermillion and yellowtail snapper Using a 2 hook snapper rig with 2/0 hooks and a 3 ounce sinker below them with squid strips is needed because of their small mouths