Captain’s Corner: Dave Zalewski

The Tampa Bay Times

Dave Zalewski 460-9893

The Boy Scouts motto is “Be Prepared” and that is what every offshore angler must be when in waters deeper than 50 feet when bottom fishing. Throughout the summer months there is always the chance that a school of mahi-mahi (dolphin fish) may show up under the boat or rise up from the bottom following a hooked fish. The tools that we always have on hand are at least two 10 pound test spinning rods with monofilament line and a 2/0 circle tied directly to the line with no leader or swivel. The drag must be set loosely in anticipation of a strike from the speedy fish which will attack the proper bait with a vengeance. The second tool is a pair of scissors which is used to cut very small slivers of Spanish sardines or threadfins. When these fish show up they will usually feed very heavily and will be easily filled up because of their small stomach capacity if large chunks of chum are deployed. We always keep several hooks at hand so that if a hook is ingested deeply we can cut the line, tie on another hook and quickly get back into the action, which at times will be quickly over.
Any piece of floating debris may also harbor these colorful great eating fish and should be investigated with rods and chum at the ready, If no fish are present, take the time to take the trash back to port for proper disposition. Balloons, beach floats and other plastic do harm to our environment and it only takes a minute to remove it after investigation.